“She couldn’t have known.”
Marcus said it so quietly that half the chapel probably missed it.
I did not.
Neither did Mr.
Halloway.
The attorney paused with Sophie’s second sealed document between his fingers and looked across the coffin at my son-in-law.
Marcus had entered the chapel ten minutes earlier looking almost entertained by his own audacity.
Now the color had drained from his face.
Josephine had removed her hand from his arm.
That small movement told me more than any confession could have.
Mr.
Halloway returned to the first page.
“I, Sophie Bennett, being of sound mind and acting voluntarily, hereby revoke all prior wills and testamentary instructions.”
Marcus swallowed.
The lawyer continued.
“I intentionally make no gift of my separate property to my husband, Marcus Bennett, except as specifically stated in this instrument.”
A murmur rolled through the chapel.
Marcus stood.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Mr.
Halloway did not raise his voice.
“Please remain seated.”
“I’m her husband.”
“You are also a named party, which is why Sophie instructed that you remain present.”
Marcus looked around and seemed to remember where he was.
Nearly a hundred people were watching him beside his pregnant wife’s coffin.
Slowly, he sat down.
Josephine leaned toward him.
“What does he mean, separate property?”
Marcus did not answer her.
Mr.
Halloway did.
He explained that before Sophie married Marcus, she had owned the house where they lived and several investment accounts created from property left to her by her father.
Their prenuptial agreement had preserved those assets as Sophie’s separate property.
I knew about the house.
I knew about the agreement.
What I had not known was that Sophie had changed her estate plan.
Marcus apparently had not known either.
“The residence and all remaining separate assets,” Mr.
Halloway read, “shall pass under the Margaret Ellis Family Trust, with Margaret Ellis serving as successor trustee.”
Every face in the room seemed to turn toward me.
I could barely process the words.
Marcus could.
“No.”
It came out sharper this time.
Mr.
Halloway continued.
The trust would cover Sophie’s final obligations and establish a memorial fund in Sophie’s name supporting women facing pregnancy complications and family crises.
Certain personal possessions would remain with me.
Others had already been specifically designated.
Marcus received the watch Sophie had given him on their first anniversary.
Nothing else from her separate estate.
Josephine stared at him.
“You told me the house would be yours.”
The sentence sliced through the chapel.
Marcus turned on her.
