Madeleine Wilford stood beside the grave of the woman who
promised her dying childhood friend to take care of and to love
her friends’ baby as her own, but there was only one person
Grace Wilford ever really loved, and that was her son, Graham.
Maddy was not surprised when he phoned to tell her he won’t be
able to attend his mother’s funeral, and she had to make the
funeral arrangements. As he said, his mother took her in when
nobody else wanted her, and she was in indebted to the Wilfords.
That was the only reason she is still living in the Wilford
house, why she took care of her adopted mother, paid the
hospital bills and endured the constant reminders that she was
born out of wedlock.Maddy was so deep in thought that she
wasn’t aware of the tall figure standing next to her. Only when
the person spoke, she realized that she was not alone.
“Good day, Miss Wilford. Please accept my condolences.” The
tall, gentleman in his late thirties said. “I hope I did not
startled you.” he continued and extended his hand.
She shook his hand, wondering who he was and what he was
doing here. “Good day sir, and thank you very much. I don’t
think I’ve met you before.”
“No, we haven’t met. My name is Jason de Ville, your late
mother’s lawyer.” He answered.
Surprised, she looked up into the face of the attractive man
towering over her. “I didn’t know my mother had a lawyer. Why on
earth would she have needed the services of a lawyer? She didn’t
even have enough money to send her son to University!” Maddy
exclaimed.
Jason de Ville raised an eyebrow: “On the contrary, miss
Wilford, she had enough money to send both of you to the best
learning institutions, but she told me neither of you were
interested to further your studies.”
Perplexed, Maddy stood staring into the man’s face, trying to
see if he was joking. There must be some mistake, sir. I had to
leave school after I passed matric and had to work two jobs to
take care of the bills, and had to pay for my own tuition at the
Academy of Interior décor. I know her father was a doctor, but
they were quite a big family and there was no way he could have
left her so much money.”
Well, miss, I am not joking and suspect you have been misled.
Unfortunately I have another appointment and have to go, but I
would like you to come and see me at my office on Monday, and I
will fill you in on all the details.” He handed her his business
card, said good-bye and left Maddy confused and in shock. She
walked home, trying to think of anything that happened on the
past or conversations they had that could shed some light on
what Jason de Ville told her, but her mind was blank. Maybe Mrs.
Nell would be able to tell her what she wanted to know, after
all, she had been with the Wilfords for more than thirty years.
Surely she knows all the family secrets.
Mrs. Nell and her two friends were in the kitchen when Maddy
arrived home. “Mrs. Nell,” she addressed the old lady. “Could I
please speak to you for a minute? In private?”
The motherly housekeeper wiped her hands on her apron. “Yes,
sure, love.” She said and followed Maddy into the living room.
“Have a seat, Mrs. Nell.” Maddy said. “I met a gentleman this
afternoon who claims to be the Wilford’s lawyer.” She watched
the housekeeper’s expression and were not surprised when her
face turned pale, but she pretended not to notice and continued:
“I know that mother Grace’s husband was from a very poor family
and her father was not a wealthy man. Am I right?” The only
response she got from Mrs. Nell was a nod. Maddy stood in front
of the woman, looked her straight into the eye and took a shot
in the dark when she asked: “How much money did I inherit, and
who left me the money?” It was quiet in the room. Mrs. Nell
stared at Maddy, guilt and shame showing on her face. “Maddy,
forgive me. I am so sorry. Grace made me promise not to tell
anyone. My boy was in trouble and I desperately needed the money
to keep him out of jail. Grace gave me the money, and she new I
would never be able to give it back. She told me I did not have
to pay her back, but in return I had to keep your inheritance a
secret from everyone, you included. I begged Grace to send you
to University, but she said the money was her, Grace’s fee for
raising you.”
Maddy felt anger rising up inside of her. “Are you telling me
that mother Grace blackmailed you?”
“Yes, my son embezzled money from the firm he was working
for. The owner promised not to lay charges, but we had to pay
back every cent my son stole from him.” Mrs. Nell paused for a
few minutes and then said: “Child, I think you need to sit
down.”
Maddy pulled out a chair and sat down. Then an amazing story
unfolded. Grace and her childhood friend, Madeleine Jones, fell
in love with the same man, but Thomas March chose Madeleine.
They were engaged for two months when Madeleine, who was born
with a heart defect, fell pregnant and died a few days after
giving birth to a lovely little girl. She asked her best friend,
Grace to take care of her child. Thomas, who could not accept
the death of the only woman he truly loved, left town and nobody
heard anything from him until the day his daughter, Maddy,
turned ten. He never got the chance to see his daughter, for he
died in a car accident that same day.
Madeleine Wilford sat, staring at the housekeeper, and she
had to know the whole truth. “Mrs. Nell, did my father ever
contact mother Grace during that ten years?”
“Yes, he did. He also sent Grace a cheque every month, and
your adopted mother mailed him a photo of you on each of your
nine birthdays. You were his sole heir, dear, but he gave Grace
full control over you and your money. If you want to know more,
go and see Jason de Ville. His father handled Grace’s affairs
and when he died, his son Jason took over. And Maddy, it gets
even worse, so prepare yourself.” Mrs. Nell got up from her
chair: “Please forgive me, child.” She begged, but got no
response from the dumbstruck Maddy.
Butterfly.
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