#Transfer Property from Husband to Wife After Death

[legal-guide123]

Steps to Legally Transfer Property to a Wife After Husband’s Demise: A Complete Guide

Losing a loved one is always difficult, and dealing with legal formalities in the aftermath can be overwhelming. One of the key concerns for a surviving spouse is the transfer of property after the husband's demise. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the necessary steps to legally transfer property to a wife, preparations before property transfer, essential documents, and how to navigate the legal process.

Also Read: Wife's Property Rights After Husband's Death

Preparations Before Property Transfer

Before initiating the process of transferring property after a husband's demise, certain preparations are necessary to ensure the process goes smoothly. Proper preparation can prevent delays and avoid disputes among legal heirs.

Gather All Relevant Documents

Start by collecting all the relevant documents that will be needed during the transfer process. These include:

The husband’s death certificate.

The original property documents (sale deed, title deed, etc.).

Identification proofs of the wife and other legal heirs.

Marriage certificate to prove the wife’s relationship with the deceased.

Any existing will, if applicable.

Review Debts and Liabilities

Check if the property is free from encumbrances or loans. If the property is mortgaged, you may need to settle the outstanding loan or arrange for the loan to be transferred in the wife’s name.

Understand the Type of Property

Determine whether the property is self-acquired or ancestral, as different laws may apply. Also, check if the property is jointly owned, as this can simplify the transfer process.

Essential Documents for Property Transfer

To ensure a smooth property transfer, you will need to submit a set of important documents to the authorities. Here is a list of essential documents required for transferring property to the wife:

Death Certificate: A copy of the husband's death certificate issued by the local municipal authority.

Legal Heir Certificate: If there is no will, this certificate identifies the legal heirs of the deceased.

Succession Certificate: Required for movable assets like bank accounts and shares.

Will (if available): If the husband left a will, submit a copy along with the probate order.

Marriage Certificate: To establish the wife’s legal relationship with the deceased.

Property Ownership Documents: The title deed or sale deed of the property.

Identification Proofs: Aadhaar card, PAN card, or voter ID of the wife and other legal heirs.

Tips for Organizing Your Estate Affairs

Proper estate planning can help reduce confusion and ensure the smooth transfer of assets. Here are a few tips:

Create a Will: A well-drafted will can simplify the property transfer process for surviving family members.

Update Legal Documents: Regularly update ownership records, nominee details, and any outstanding loans.

Discuss with Family: Make sure your loved ones are aware of your property and estate arrangements.

Seek Legal Advice: Consult with a lawyer to ensure that your estate planning is legally sound.

The Legal Process of Property Transfer

The legal process of property transfer depends on whether the deceased left behind a will or not. Let's explore both scenarios.

If the Husband Left a Will:

File for Probate: Probate is the legal process through which a will is authenticated by the court. This process involves submitting the will to the district or high court, depending on the value of the property.

Executor Transfers Property: Once the probate is granted, the executor named in the will transfers the property to the wife.

Mutation of Property: The wife needs to apply for the mutation of property in her name by submitting the probate order and relevant documents to the local municipal authority.

If There Is No Will (Intestate Succession):

Obtain Legal Heir Certificate: The wife will need to apply for a Legal Heir Certificate to establish her legal right to the property.

Apply for Succession Certificate (for Movable Property): In cases involving movable assets, the wife must obtain a Succession Certificate from the court.

Mutate the Property: Once the legal heir certificate is obtained, the wife can apply for the mutation of the property in her name.

How to Initiate the Process of Transfer

To initiate the process of transferring property after the husband’s demise, follow these steps:

Get the Death Certificate: Obtain the husband’s death certificate from the local municipal authority.

File for Probate (if there is a will): Submit the will to the court to get it authenticated through probate.

Apply for Legal Heir Certificate: If there is no will, submit an application to the local revenue or civil court to obtain the Legal Heir Certificate.

Submit Necessary Documents for Mutation: Provide all required documents to the land revenue office or municipal authority to mutate the property in the wife’s name.

Probate and Its Role in Property Transfer

Probate is the judicial process of validating a will in court. It is required to ensure that the will is legally binding and that the executor can proceed with the transfer of property. Probate is necessary in some states, such as Maharashtra and West Bengal, even if the will is undisputed. The process involves:

Filing the will in court.

Verifying the will's authenticity.

Granting the executor the right to distribute the deceased's assets.

Factors Affecting Property Transfer

Several factors can affect the smooth transfer of property:

Existence of a Will: The presence of a valid will simplifies the process.

Legal Disputes: Disputes between legal heirs can delay the transfer.

Outstanding Loans: If the property has a mortgage, the loan must be settled before the transfer.

Debts and Liabilities Impacting Transfer

Before transferring property, it’s crucial to settle any outstanding debts or liabilities on the property, such as:

Home Loans or Mortgages: The wife must either repay the loan or transfer it to her name.

Unpaid Taxes: Property taxes or other dues must be cleared before the property can be transferred.

Joint Ownership and Rights of Survivorship

If the property was jointly owned by the husband and wife, the process of transfer is simpler. In such cases:

The wife becomes the sole owner of the property automatically upon the husband’s death, thanks to the right of survivorship.

The only legal requirement is to mutate the property records to reflect the change in ownership.

Step-by-Step Guide to Transfer Property

Here is a quick step-by-step guide to transferring property:

Obtain the death certificate.

Gather all property and legal documents.

File for probate (if necessary).

Apply for Legal Heir or Succession Certificate (if no will exists).

Submit documents for mutation to transfer property ownership.

How to File the Deceased’s Will

To file the deceased's will, follow these steps:

Locate the Will: Ensure that you have the original copy of the will.

Submit to Court for Probate: File an application with the local court to initiate the probate process.

Provide Executor Information: Include details about the executor named in the will.

Navigating Inheritance Laws and Regulations

India has different inheritance laws based on religion. Understanding these laws is crucial to determining how property is distributed:

Hindu Succession Act, 1956: Governs Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.

Muslim Personal Law (Shariat): Governs Muslims.

Indian Succession Act, 1925: Applies to Christians, Parsis, and Jews.

Tax Implications and Considerations

When property is transferred, tax implications must be considered:

Inheritance Tax: India does not have an inheritance tax, but stamp duty and capital gains tax may apply.

Capital Gains Tax: If the wife decides to sell the inherited property, she may be liable for capital gains tax on the appreciation of the property value.

Understanding Estate Taxes and Exemptions

While India does not levy an estate tax, inheriting property may still involve taxes such as stamp duty and registration fees during the transfer process. These taxes vary depending on the state and property value.

Tips for Minimizing Tax Burden on Inherited Property

To minimize the tax burden on inherited property:

Consider holding onto the property for a longer period to reduce capital gains tax.

Explore exemptions under the Income Tax Act, such as Section 54, for reinvestment in another property.

Common Challenges and Solutions

a) Disputes Among Heirs

Disagreements among legal heirs can delay the property transfer process. If disputes arise, the wife may need to file a partition suit or negotiate a settlement.

b) Missing Documents

If property documents are missing, apply for certified copies from the land registry office or municipal authority.

Dispute Resolution Among Heirs

If disputes arise among heirs, mediation or legal intervention may be required. Courts can intervene to ensure fair distribution under the applicable succession laws.

Avoiding Delays in Property Transfer

To avoid delays, ensure that all necessary documents are in order and that no outstanding debts or legal disputes exist. Engaging a lawyer early in the process can help smoothen the procedure.

Conclusion

Transferring property to a wife after a husband's demise can be a complex and emotional process, but by following the correct legal procedures and preparing the necessary documents, the process can be made smoother. Whether a will exists or not, understanding the legal framework, tax implications, and the steps involved will help ensure a seamless transfer of ownership, allowing the wife to secure her rightful inheritance with ease. If in doubt, consulting with a legal expert can provide additional clarity and assistance.

[une-sanz-pluis]

Do you know that Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York's wife Isabella is likely to have an affair with a man from the Howard family and gave birth to the Earl of Cambridge, Richard? Isabella's will was made with Edmund's consent, which may indicate that although Edmund did not want his property to go to Richard, he did not hate their mother and son. Perhaps they were just colleagues who had to have children together

I'm not quite sure I'm following your ask. I think you're asking about Isabel (or Isabella) of Castile, Duchess of York and the assertion that Richard, Earl of Cambridge was a son born from her adulterous liaison? However, the man she was accused of having an affair with was not a member of the Howard family but John Holland (or Holand), Earl of Huntington. Huntington was the son of Joan of Kent and Thomas Holland and thus half-brother to Richard II. Huntington was married to Elizabeth of Lancaster who was the sister of Henry IV, which would have been made things awkward (to say the least) when Richard II was deposed. Huntington was killed during the Epiphany Rising which aimed to restore Richard to the throne. .

Jenny Stratford recently published work arguing that the affair did not take place and that Cambridge was legitimate, as far as we can tell. I'll talk you through the evidence and her arguments against it below the cut.

Thomas Walsingham's commentary on Isabel

Thomas Walsingham wrote that Isabel was:

A lady of sensual and self-indulgent disposition, she had been worldly and lustful; yet in the end by the grace of Christ, she repented and was converted. By the command of the king she was buried at his manor of Langley with the friars, where, so it is said, the bodies of many traitors had been placed together.

Stratford points out that Walsingham got the date of her death wrong, placing it two years after her death occurred, which suggests he was probably not well-informed about his life. She suggests that the image of emerges from Isabel's will contrasts sharply against the image Walsingham provides:

The duchess herself emerges in a favourable light. In face of her husband’s debts, the arrangement to provide an income for the seven-year-old Richard by transferring to Richard II most of her jewels and plate, her personal chattels, was eminently practical. It limited the possibility of claims by the duke’s creditors, while grants previously made to Isabel were subsequently reassigned to fund the annuity. These provisions seem very unlikely to indicate that young Richard was illegitimate, any more than a gap of twelve years between the age of the oldest and youngest of the duchess’s three living children was necessarily significant. The duke’s will drawn up a decade after Isabel’s death speaks of his devotion to her.

It's also worth noting that Walsingham has something of a reputation for misogyny and for being unreliable - we now know that some of his assertions about Alice Perrers's background are groundless and serve to make her appear worse than she was, while Anna Duch argued that he effectively erased Anne of Bohemia from his account of Richard II's reign. He is also full of vitriol for Agnes Launcekrona and Katherine Swynford so it seems to me that we should treat his claims on women with great scepticism.

John Shirley's comments on Chaucer's Complaint of Mars

Forty years after Isabel's death, a scribe named John Shirley wrote an afterword on Geoffrey Chaucer's Complaint of Mars that linked it to a scandal involving "the lady of York" and John Holland. Connected with Walsingham's commentary, it's generally been taken as evidence that they had an affair.

Stratford argues that the Shirley's commentary is likely a garbled reference to the affair between Constance of York (Isabel's daughter) and Edmund Holland, Earl of Kent (John Holland's nephew) which the resulted in the birth of an illegitimate daughter, Eleanor. Following Kent's death, Eleanor claimed claimed her parents had married clandestinely before Kent married Lucia Visconti and that she was his rightful heir but her claims were rejected. Historians have suggested that Kent might have considering marrying Constance before the revelation that she had been involved in a plot against Henry IV meant he distanced himself from her.

Additionally, J. D. North argued that the astronomical framework contained within Complaint of Mars could have only applied to the year 1385 and aligns it with the beginning of the affair between Elizabeth of Lancaster and Huntington. Elizabeth had been married to John Hastings, heir to the earldom of Pembroke, in 1380 when she was 16 and Hastings was 8. However, the marriage was annulled in 1386 and Elizabeth soon after married Huntington on 24 June 1386. It is frequently asserted that Huntington and Elizabeth had embarked on an affair that resulted in a pregnancy, leading to the hasty annulment of Elizabeth's first marriage and her second marriage to Huntington though it isn't clear when their first child was born, though it was in 1386 or 1387. It may be that John Shirley's reference to the affair between "the lady of York" and Huntington may actually be referring to Huntington's affair with Elizabeth of Lancaster.

It may even be that the reference represents a garbled combination of the two affairs - Constance of York and Edmund Holland, Elizabeth of Lancaster and John Holland - recorded decades later. It might be noteworthy in this regard that Elizabeth and Huntington's first child was also named Constance (both Constances were named after Isabel's sister, Constanza or Constance of Castile), which would add to the confusion).

The wills of Cambridge's father and older brother.

The argument that Richard, Earl of Cambridge was illegitimate is based around the lack of reference to Cambridge in the wills of his father and older brother, where it is assumed that this represents that Cambridge was effectively, though not legally, disowned.

His brother, Edward 2nd Duke of York's will was written after Cambridge had been executed as a traitor for his role in the Southampton Plot. His lack of reference to Cambridge may simply be because Cambridge was dead and could not be a beneficiary. There may have also been concern that any reference to Cambridge, such a request for prayers for his brother's soul, could result in suspicion of Edward's own loyalties. From the surviving evidence, Edward also seems to have had a close relationship with Henry V so Cambridge's treason may well have driven a wedge between the brothers. In short: there are a lot of reasons why Edward might have avoided referencing Cambridge explicitly that were far more relevant to the circumstances his will was written in.

Stratford notes that "a testator may not include all his bequests in his will", which would apply to both Dukes of York. Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York left "nothing in the will to any of his three children" (my emphasis). He did, however, ask to be buried "near his beloved Isabel, formerly his companion". In short, there is no reason to presume Cambridge's exclusion was due to his being informally disowned by his father due to the adultery of his mother. York's will provides no support to the idea that he had a fraught relationship with Isabel, either.

Isabel's will makes special provision for Richard, Earl of Cambridge.

Isabel's will asked Richard II for provide an annuity of 500 marks for Cambridge against the surrender of her jewels and plate until appropriate lands could be found to furnish him with an income. This has led to the belief that Cambridge would not be supported by his father and brother and, in combination with the above, that this was because he was illegitimate.

Most of this is based on the transcript of her will published in Testamenta vetusta, which is a shortened extract of the full document which didn't include Isabel's many bequests to her husband (if you read something that claims Isabel left York nothing, the author is working from the abridged will, not the full text). Stratford's study is on the original will in its full form. As noted in your ask, Isabel required and received the permission of her husband to make this will. Stratford also notes that some of those mentioned in the will are Edmund, Duke of York's officers who also appear in his will, "strongly suggesting that the duke and the leading members of his familia were in full agreement with its provisions". In short, the idea that York was refusing to acknowledge or provide for Cambridge seems somewhat illogical given his involvement and the involvement of his officers in Isabel's will which was primarily concerned with providing for Cambridge.

Stratford argues that what the will represents is an effort by Isabel and York to provide for Cambridge "while protecting as far as possible the incomes of her husband and his heir."

The principal purpose of Isabel’s will was to provide for their youngest child, Richard, then aged seven. Edmund gave his wife full powers to dispose of her horses, jewels, robes, the furnishings of her chamber, and her other chattels. She made a number of bequests, notably including books, but offered the majority of her valuables to Richard II if he would agree to provide her younger son, his godson (filiol), with an income of 500 marks per year for life. If the king did not so wish, Isabel’s oldest son, then earl of Rutland, was invited to do so on the same terms.

At the time Isabel was drawing up her will, York was heavily in debt following his Portuguese expedition, had difficulty obtaining money due to him from the Crown, and didn't have lands commensurate with his status. York's executors were still struggling to pay his debts eight years after his death and when his eldest son died in 1415, the duchy of York remained bankrupt for twenty years. Stratford notes that the money raised by Isabel's jewels and plate would "circumvent claims on the duke by his creditors".

John Holland gave Isabel a gift.

Isabel's will mentions a "sapphire and diamond brooch" given to her by John Holland, Earl of Huntington which has been taken as evidence of their affair. Sometimes she is also said to have been given a gold cup and a chaplet of white flowers by Huntington, though Stratford points out the brooch is the only item actually said to have been given to her by Huntington and is one of three gifts from named donors (the others was a "little" gold tablet given to her by John of Gaunt and a gaming board of jasper from Leo of Armenia).

Firstly, while gifts of jewels to us seem to be strictly or largely romantic gestures, this very much wasn't the case within the Middle Ages, where the exchange of jewels was a normal part of aristocratic life, albeit serving an important function. We know that medieval nobles frequently exchanged gifts, including items they had been given by others, and it is a pure speculation to assume that Isabel "treasured" the brooch or even that she kept it because it was Huntington who had given to her. Furthermore, it is entirely possible that it was identified through the designation as a gift given to her by Huntington.

Secondly, if this is evidence of their affair which produced Cambridge, it's very odd that she didn't leave Huntington's gift to Cambridge but to her eldest son, Edward, who was York's acknowledged son and heir whose legitimacy has never been doubted.

Isabel left bequests to Holland.

Isabel left her Bibles and "the best fillet I have" to John Holland. Some have argued that this is unusual enough because Holland was the only person she gave gifts to who wasn't a "close member" of her family.

Outside of her husband and three children, Isabel also left bequests to Richard II, Anne of Bohemia, John of Gaunt and Eleanor de Bohun, Duchess of Gloucester, and Stratford groups with Eleanor as a member of Isabel's "wider family" and says it is credible they were friends, not lovers. The extent that Holland isn't a "close" member of her family can be debated: he was married to her niece (Elizabeth of Lancaster) and the half-brother of her nephew (Richard II).

Stratford says that Isabel may have made the bequest to Huntington in hope that that he would influence Richard II and John of Gaunt (who was Huntington's father-in-law and and close ally in the 1380s and named as an executor in Isabel's will) to ensure that the annuity she sought for Cambridge would become a reality.

Furthermore, Stratford suggests that the "best fillet" (which was probably a collar) may have been intended for Elizabeth of Lancaster, Huntington's wife. If so, this would rather point away from it being a memento from their affair.

There were a ten-year gap between Cambridge and his siblings.

The other main piece of evidence put forward is the large gap between Constance of York (b. c. 1375) and Cambridge (b. c. 1385). The supposition usually goes that having had two children (Edward, 2nd Duke of York was born c. 1373), Isabel and York had grown tired of each other's company and didn't have sex again, Isabel then embarked on an affair with Huntington that, some ten years after Constance's birth, left her pregnant and York allowed the child to be brought up as his son but refused to provide for him.

The problem with this scenario is that it is effectively a complete invention. The idea that York and Isabel were at odds is based around the idea of the affair and the speculation Cambridge was illegitimate. York never repudiated Isabel nor officially disowned Cambridge as a bastard. There are many possible reasons why there was such a large gap - fertility issues, miscarriages, bad luck, personal decisions, religious reasons (i.e. choosing to adopt a chaste marriage). Constance's birth may have been particularly difficult and York and Isabel decided not to chance sexual intercourse or to use the contraceptive methods available to them only to slip up. It's also possible that they may had other children who died too young to leave evidence behind and that the large gap between children wasn't that large in reality. After all, it seems we know very little about the births of their children, even the years are uncertain.

I know this is all speculative but so is the argument that they fell out. The point is that we don't have evidence to explain why beyond speculation.

Conclusion

A lot of the arguments for the affair based on tenuous links and are often based on the assumption that the affair was a historical fact and that Walsingham's comments on Isabel are an objective and reasonable account of her character. So the evidence that shows us a connection between Isabel and Huntington is often assumed to be evidence of a sexual relationship.

Take the brooch. It seems to be read as the equivalent of a man buying his lover an emerald necklace or diamond earrings. Except we know that the exchange of valuable jewels as gifts was a common aspect of medieval noble life that performed a vital function that very frequently had nothing to do with romantic or sexual feelings. We know, for example, that Henry VI gave Eleanor Cobham a brooch - it does not follow that they were therefore having an affair or that Henry harboured romantic feelings for his aunt.

That the brooch was mentioned in Isabel's will also tells us nothing. We don't know how she felt about it, only that she singled it out to be passed onto her eldest son (not Cambridge). It may be that she wanted him to have it because of he had admired it and, if it was a feminine piece, may have intended to give it onto his wife when he married. It's quite unremarkable that a medieval individual would identify a piece through noting who had given it to them and is not proof of romantic attachment. Isabel also mentioned gifts given to her by John of Gaunt and Leo of Armenia - should we assume she had affairs with them too?

On a similar note: that Isabel left items to Huntington is taken as proof of their romantic liaison. The bequest? Her best fillet (probably a collar, according to Stratford), which may well have been intended for Elizabeth of Lancaster, and her Bibles. They were likely valuable items but hardly proof of romantic involvement - such bequests were very common and would be utterly remarkable without the context of Shirley's commentary on their relationship.

It seems to me that there is good good reason to believe that John Shirley's commentary on Complaint of Mars, written decades after Isabel's death, may not have been about Isabel at all. She isn't named in the commentary and we have no clear, explicit evidence of this affair outside of the commentary itself. I think it was a garbled recollection of either Isabel's daughter, Constance of York's affair with Edmund Holland, Earl of Kent or of John Holland's affair with Elizabeth of Lancaster. We have clear, contemporary evidence of both these affairs - the existence of Constance's and Kent's daughter and this daughter's attempt to inherit Kent's estates, the annulment of Elizabeth's marriage to Hastings and her marriage to Huntington.

The evidence cited as "proof" of their affair is really nothing of the sort. Isabel's will attempted to provide for Cambridge in the face of York's (comparatively) small income and large debts. Huntington was a beneficiary but hardly the only one and not a particularly unusual choice. He gave Isabel a gift that was in keeping with the social custom of their class and time. York's will mentioned none of his children and he did not officially disown Cambridge. The lack of reference to Cambridge in his brother's will is easy to understand given it was written after Cambridge had been executed for treason. We have no real evidence of discontent between Isabel and York - he was obviously involved in the writing of her will and he requested burial with her in his own. Nor is there any account that records discord between them or separation, like we do for John of Gaunt and Constanza of Castile. York was buried with Isabel, as he had requested, and on their joint tomb-monument are Huntington's coat of arms (amongst many others). It seems very strange to me that York was so utterly furious about Isabel's adultery that he refused to provide for Cambridge, forcing Isabel to beg the king to provide for him, yet he chose to be buried with her, he chose as his second bride Huntington's niece, Joan Holland, and he chose to add the coat-of-arms with the man she had betrayed him with on their tomb monument (which was probably constructed sometime between 1393 and 1399). I don't think this picture holds up.

Walsingham did criticise Isabel for being "worldly and lustful" but Walsingham calling a woman a slut is pretty par for the course for him and he got facts of her life wrong. Nor does he report anything she actually did to deserve such a reputation. In others: scepticism is clearly needed. None of this adds up to very much. It isn't until Shirley wrote his commentary, decades later, that we find any reference to their affair. The rest are things that would be entirely unremarkable without Shirley's commentary directing us to see it as a romantic gesture.

Of course, the fact is that we can't prove she didn't have an affair and that Shirley was really referring to a more evidenced scandal. Proving a negative is hard. Even if we located, exhumed and DNA-tested the bodies of Cambridge, York and Huntington, we might confirm that Cambridge was really York's son (or Huntington's or the son of an unknown man) but we wouldn't be able to prove that Isabel didn't have sex with Huntington at some point in her life. We don't have evidence for every single time a medieval individual had sex and so we can't definitively rule out the possibility that an affair did occur. All we can say is the actual surviving evidence doesn't support the narrative that Isabel had an affair.

It's probably worth noting that Kathryn Warner also read Isabel's full will and still accepts the narrative of Isabel's infidelity, though she argues Cambridge should be given the benefit of the doubt where his illegitimacy is concerned. Personally, I find Stratford's reading of the will more credible than Warner's. I don't think the evidence cited as proof of Shirley's claim is actually evidence of an affair but the existence of a typical relationship between medieval nobles working as normal. Warner seems to contradict herself at times* and she doesn't seem to have been interested in questioning whether Isabel did or did not have an affair. I also think Stratford's extensive work on medieval manuscripts and the inventories of John, Duke of Bedford and Richard II lends credence to her claims.

Works Referenced

Jenny Stratford, "The Bequests of Isabel of Castile, 1st Duchess of York, and Chaucer’s ‘Complaint of Mars’", Creativity, Contradictions and Commemoration in the Reign of Richard II: Essays in Honour of Nigel Saul, eds. Jessica A. Lutkin and J. S. Hamilton (The Boydell Press 2022)

Jenny Stratford, "Isabel [Isabella] of Castile, duchess of Yorkunlocked (1355–1392)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (published 2022, updated 2023)

J. D. North, Chaucer's Universe (Oxford University Press 1988)

James P. Toomey (ed.), "A Household Account of Edward, Duke of York at Hanley Castle, 1409-10", Noble Household Management and Spiritual Discipline in Fifteenth-Century Worcestershire (Worcestershire Historical Society 2013).

John Evans, "XIV. Edmund of Langley and his Tomb", Archaeologia, vol. 46, no. 2, 1881

Kathryn Warner, John of Gaunt: Son of One King, Father of Another (Amberley 2022)

(also looked at the ODNB entries for York, Cambridge, Huntington and Elizabeth of Lancaster).

* After mentioning the brooch given to Isabel by Huntington, Warner states: "Isabel did not not mention other gifts she had received from anyone else". In an earlier chapter, Warner says "The 1392 will of Isabel of Castile, duchess of York and countess of Cambridge, reveals that Levon [Leo of Armenia] gave her a ‘tablet of jasper’ during this visit, which she bequeathed to John of Gaunt". Warner also repeats this within the chapter dealing with Isabel's will: "and ‘a tablet of jasper which the king of Armonie [King Levon of Armenia] gave me’ to John of Gaunt". How can Huntington's brooch be the only gift from anyone mentioned in her will when we've been told (twice) that Isabel's will includes a reference to a tablet of jasper gifted to her by Leo of Armenia? Additionally, Warner's arguments seems to be drawn from the preconceived notion that Isabel did have an affair so any evidence connecting her to Huntington must be evidence of the affair, regardless of how limited the evidence is - this is quite surprising, since it goes against one of her arguments against reading Isabella of France and Roger Mortimer's relationship as a love affair.

[characternerdocs]

(for Heath) What is the best mistake he has made? One that turned out surprisingly well?

As you may already be aware, Heath is very trusting person and tries to see the good in people, however small that piece of good may be; this also lead to Heath coming off as the more gullible type.

When Heath was in his teens and had to again moved to a new town, new school, and new foster house. In the first day few days in the new location Heath was approached by a group of students who he found were surprisingly yet, refreshingly very welcoming. Unfortunately that was actually far from the truth and the group was actually the very mean and very popular kids at the school. They were also close friends with another foster kid named Killian Pearson, who for a time was one of Heath's only friends until Killian too started to see Heath as "weird ghost kid" and with a term I'm sure Jewel appreciates, Killian iced Heath out. (Ironically however, Killian later goes on to gain much success and fame by copying Heath's whole medium shtick, down to tattooing his hand and adopting the last name "Xywick" for his magician persona)

When Killian found that the weirdo kid he used to know was going to be transferred to his current school, he told his friends all about Heath's peculiar behavior and fanatical believe in ghosts. Quickly they came up with a cruel way to welcome Heath to the town.

You see on the edge of town there was an old house that had stood empty for decades and of course it was said to be haunted. Legend had it that one of the town's original founders had murdered his wife, drowned her in the bathtub. Ever since her angry and vengeful spirit roams the house, loud and thunderous noises can be heard coming from the property at all hours as the woman's ghost entered into frenzied bounds of rage.

Feeling like for the first times in his life he was starting to make some friends, it wasn't hard for the group to get Heath to come with them one late weekend afternoon, to lead him towards the old house, and any worry about the dilapidated exterior was easily soothed by saying that the building had been a hangout of the town's kids for many generations. As quickly as they had been rises with the belief that he was finally liked, Heath's hopes were dashed when the front door was smashed and locked behind him, and a flurry of rapid banging started from the other side of the house and was rushing straight towards him.

Trying to ran from whatever had locked on to his presence, Heath had hardly made it fifteen feet when some spectral force leapt on him and knock him to the ground. Pinned to the floorboards, Heath was accosted with slobbery kisses from ... the ghost of a large dog?

As quickly as the dog had knocked him down, it has gotten off Heath when the spirit of a lady as ordered the oversized hound to stop. And while the dog's tail happy slapped the flooring as it wagged, the woman (kindly) scolded the dog for spooking another unfortunate child who was tricked into entering the house.

Sitting up however, Heath chuckles a little telling the ghost not to worry. And if a ghost could go pale, Heath would definitely say she did as her eyes get really wide when she realized that this scrawny teenager could both hear and see her and her dog. And explains to Heath that he is first person since she became a ghost to be full aware of her.

The two quickly get to chatting, Heath explaining that he's always been able to see and talk with ghosts and the like since he was a baby and that the ability has been passed on for generations in his family. And the ghost introducing herself as Edith Reed, wife of Walter Reed, who was an founding member of the town in the late 1800's when a bunch of people had moved west due to the mining boom. And while she did drown in the bathtub, her husband didn't kill her, she just slipped. Her death however left Winnie, her old Newfoundland dog, depressed and sad. Only two months after Edith's passing Winnie too passed of a broken heart. But it quickly mended once she was a ghost cause that old dog was so happy to see Edith again that she barrels around the house and wags her tail like the energy of the young pup she once was. And the two laugh at the fact that Winnie's running and jumping is what makes all the ruckus that makes everyone so scared of house.

It was at the moment that the group of teens that had locked Heath in the house try to sneak up to give Heath another good scare with their own makeshift ghost get-ups, but instead find him cackling to himself all alone in the house's library.

Admittedly this didn't help Heath win any popularity at the new school he was in, but Heath made Edith's house his go-to hangout. Everybody still avoided it from the sounds that Winnie made as she ran around the house and Edith loved to just have someone else around. And she was a wealth of knowledge for anything concerning the little town as she was someone had been around since its began. And Heath realized she was a proper historian on the town, plus the library was full of all sorts of old documents about the town. Slowly the two came up with an idea. Using Edith's knowledge, Heath would approach the town council about turning the old Reed house into a historical site.

Firstly it would keep the house save as there was always talk of demolishing the old house but never enough in the town budget to actually go through with it, and two, Heath thought that Edith would love to have people come visit and learn about the house and the town that she clearly cared so much about. A town that Heath had realized was the reason that Edith was sticking around.

It wasn't exactly easy, and it took a lot of coaching from Edith to get Heath prepared, but not only was the house made into a historical site, but the town's history museum. And the rumors that it was actually haunted made people cross the state and then even across the country come to visit, turning this tiny old mining town to something of a travel destination and rekindled growth and all kinds of businesses in the town.

For a time, before Heath had to moved away again, he worked as a guide in the museum. Reportedly he was still the best tour guide they ever had, but they still keep and use all of the extensive notes he left behind. though they're not sure where or how he learned so much about the town, the old inhabitants of the house, or why Reed's old dog Winnie is such a large part of his notes.

Thanks for the ask @icybreaths I had fun with this one!

TL;DR: Mean kids try to pranking spiritually sensitive boy by locking him in a haunted house. Turns out the ghost is an avid town historian, so the ghost and the boy work together to make the house into a museum and save the small town's economy

[realestateinindia]

Varisu Certificate - Meaning, Importance, and procedure to apply online

Have you ever heard of the Varisu Certificate? If not, here we are explaining the importance of a varisu certificate with a step-by-step guide for obtaining an offline/online varisu certificate to make your application process easy.

Varisu Certificate

The Varisu Certificate is required by the remaining family members of the deceased to legally assert their claim on the deceased’s assets or debts. It defines the relationship between the deceased and the name(s) or legal heir(s) of the family. The Varisu Certificate is also known as the legal heir certificate, which also helps in choosing the right replacement of the deceased.

Importance of the Varisu Certificate

Upon the death of the registered property owner, a Varisu certificate serves as an important legal document required by the deceased’s family member (spouse, children, or parents) to prove that they are the rightful heir in order to be entitled to the deceased person’s assets or properties. There have been cases involving erroneous property claims where the varisu certificate played a pivotal role. This certificate is issued by the government after conducting a thorough inquiry into the eligible heir(s)

Here's how the Varisu certificate helps you:

Transfer the deceased's movable or immovable properties and assets.

Identify the rightful owners upon death.

Make claims for the provident fund, insurance policy benefits, and gratuities.

Get approval for a family pension

Obtain employment on compassionate grounds

Purchase an ancestor's property or transferring the deceased's property

Transfer investments or deposits

Receive salary arrears

Transfer of utilities

Varisu Certificate vs. Surviving Certificate

It is observed that many times, people get confused between a varisu/legal heir certificate and surviving certificate, which are ideally two different documents used for two different purposes. Yes, despite having similarities, both certificates cannot be used interchangeably.

A surviving certificate is a document issued by the government to confirm the legitimate heirs of a deceased person. This document enables you to claim the deceased person's debts and assets from banks, insurance companies, and other financial organisations, whereas a varisu certificate is an official government document that establishes the relationship between the decedent and the legal heirs. This document is required to transfer the deceased’s assets, such as real estate property, to the rightful heirs.

Both documents can be obtained by the immediate family members, i.e., spouse, children, or parents, by providing the necessary documents to the revenue departments or tehsildars’ office. However, the surviving certificate is valid for only six months and does not grant legal or property ownership rights, whereas the varisu certificate grants legal and property ownership rights with lifetime validity.

Varisu certificate applicants

The Varisu Certificate is the legal heir document that can be applied by immediate family members. The immediate family members include the spouse (wife or husband) of the deceased person, the parents of the deceased person, or the children of the deceased person.

Documents required for the Varisu Certificate

For every legal process, there’s a bunch of documentation, which makes the process even more complicated. Therefore, we have collated a list of documents required for obtaining the Varisu Certificate:

Applicant’s identity proof (Aadhar card, driving licence, government-issued employee ID, voter ID, etc.)

Self-undertaking affidavit

Proof of address (valid identity proofs, electricity bill, telephone or mobile bill, gas bill, bank passbook with name and address printed)

Certificate of the legal heir of the deceased

Address proof of the deceased

Proof of birth of all legal heirs (Certificate of Birth, PAN or passport, school leaving or transfer certificates)

Obtain the Varisu Certificate offline

In order to apply for a varisu certificate offline, you need to follow the below steps:

Step 1: Reach out to the tehsildar office of your district and collect the legal heir certificate application form.

Step 2: Fill out the application form and submit it with all the necessary documents listed in the form.

Step 3: Take the signature of your village administrative officer and seal it in the presence of all heirs.

Step 4: Your application is then sent to the revenue inspector for further verification. If he or she approves your request, your application passes down to the tehsildar.

Step 5: Now, if the Tehsildar approves your request, a token number is issued to you, which authorises you to get your Varisu Certificate offline.

Varisu Certificate: Apply Online

As the offline process is quite time-consuming, the digitalization of India has made the online application process quite easy.

Log onto the Tamil Nadu government's e-Sevai portal.

Enter your details and log into the portal. If you have already registered yourself on the portal, you may directly login and access your information.

Fill up the necessary details and enter your email address, password, and Captcha code to finish the verification process. Now, you can successfully sign up for the portal.

After clicking on Sign up, you will receive an OTP on your phone. Enter the OTP and then click on the "SERVICE WISE" button and proceed.

Here, provides all the necessary information, add your CAN number, and search. Now you can download the application form online.

Check Varisu Certificate status online

The best part of going digital is the application process and tracking the status of any request. To check your varisu certificate status online, we have provided below a step-by-step tutorial on how to verify the status of a varisu certificate online.

Log in to the Tamil Nadu Government's registered e-service portal.

Next, select Legal heir from the list of services on the left-hand side.

A pop-up window will show up, and you'll be taken to a different website.

You may examine the most recent legal heir certificate status in Tamil Nadu by selecting the "Check Status" button there.

Now that you have all the required information about the Varisu certificate, you can go ahead and apply for it yourself without any hassles.

[divorcelawyergunnisonutah]

Estate Planning Attorney Sunset Utah

Estate Planning Attorney Sunset Utah

If you’re a widow or widower, then estate planning secures your children’s future at any time after your death. In case you’ve remarried or divorced, planning your estate also secures your second spouse’s future and her children from another marriage aside from your own kids with your first wife or husband. A well-planned estate also addresses questions about the share of ex-spouses with your estate and whether the validity of a prenuptial agreement takes precedence over your will or not. During the planning process, you and your estate lawyers discuss the terms and conditions in distributing your assets and paying for taxes in three major areas, namely your wills, trusts and probates.

Drawing Up Your Last Will and Testament

In drawing up your will, which takes effect after your death, you need solicitors and financial advisors to help you assess the totality of your assets and liabilities. However, decisions on which assets go to which beneficiary solely depend on you. Your lawyers are there to advise you of which beneficiary takes a greater portion of your estate and how you can protect beneficiaries who are still minors and lack the legal right to control their inheritance. One way of determining which of your non-investment properties goes to which heir is to ask your children and your spouse which heirloom or valuable collection they expect to get as part of their inheritance.

Your children and your spouse (current or otherwise) may seem to get along nicely right now, but soon after your death, disagreements and distrust quickly arise between them. Be as detailed as possible in distributing the items and stating their worth. Be careful in bequeathing family assets to third-party beneficiaries, such as charitable organizations or research institutions. These may be noble endeavors worthy of pursuing, but in the matter of planning a comfortable future for your heirs, only a small portion of your estate should be allocated to these types of beneficiaries.

The Difference Between a Living Will and a Living Trust

Specifically, a living will mostly applies to situations when the individual has lost the ability to make decisions regarding his or her medical treatment and whether he or she wants to continue it. For example, a cancer patient who has fallen into a vegetative state may need a living will to state that he or she doesn’t want a spouse or any family member to extend his or her life when the chances of survival seems unfavorably slim. This document may also assign a family member to make critical decisions regarding the person’s medical and physical therapy options. Mostly, a last will differs in function and form from a living trust, which aims to protect a portion of the individual’s estate for the benefit of someone who doesn’t have the capacity to manage it. Unlike a last will, a living trust isn’t subject to spending months or years in probate courts. The probate process generally involves clerical work, like filling up the forms and filing them in court. However, the attorney’s fees and the probate costs could prevent your heirs from receiving their inheritance immediately after your death. Also, properties you’ve left under a living trust aren’t included in your last will. So, the beneficiary of these properties won’t be charged any inheritance tax.

Of Probates, Trusts and the Last Will

Essentially, probate covers the legal proceedings in distributing a person’s wealth over his or her heirs. For instance, deeds to the house and some lands must be transferred to the beneficiary’s name. The process takes up time and may cost a lot of money, which becomes a problem when the heirs can’t pay the probate attorney or the court’s filing fees. And so, many individuals planning their estate opt to put valuable properties in a revocable living trust to protect their family’s inheritance.

The terms in a revocable living trust may be changed as your circumstances in life also change. The names of beneficiaries are included just like with a last will, but minors may be bequeathed with real estate properties, financial investments, or businesses managed by a trustee. Often, the person’s living trust increases in size after his death when a pour-over will takes effect. This kind of Last Will simply transfers the deceased person’s properties into the trust to maintain the privacy of the family. A well-planned estate must have a last will as well as a living trust for valuable properties especially reserved for certain beneficiaries, including children.

The Real Estate Licensing Process

There is no doubt that a career in real estate can be very advantageous, as well as exciting. Of course, in order to obtain a career in this field, the first thing that you will need to do is go through the real estate licensing process. This does not need to be difficult, as long as you have a good idea of what it is that you will be facing. Here, we will take a closer look at some of the most important things that you should know when it comes to real estate licensing.

One of the things that you may be wondering about is what type of requirements there are for you to be eligible for real estate licensing. For starters, you need to be of at least eighteen years of age. You also must have graduated from high school, or have obtained a degree of equivalency, such as a GED in order to go through the real estate licensing process. Before you can take the exam that is required for real estate licensing, the first thing that you will need to do is learn more about what other requirements your state has prior to the real estate licensing process. Most states will require you to take a course, or some form of training before you will be eligible to complete the real estate licensing exam. These types of real estate training courses are often offered by community colleges or real estate schools. You should be able to find one within your local area. It is important to make sure that you learn about all of the state requirements beforehand. Completing them is the first step of the real estate licensing process, as you cannot continue the process without these requirements.

Once you have completed all of the requirements of your state, the next thing that you will need to do is find a test center which offers real estate licensing. The cost of this examination will vary according to where you live, but it is typically around a hundred dollars. Keep in mind that is necessary for you to get your real estate licensing done from the state that you are planning on working in. For example, if you are planning on working as a real estate agent in Sunset Attorney, you would not want to get your real estate license in Washington.

In order to prepare yourself for the real estate licensing examination, it is important to make sure that you look over all of the information that you learned in your real estate classes. It will also be very beneficial for you to buy a real estate licensing test kit, which will provide you with a good idea of what types of questions you can expect to see on the real examination. Keep in mind that if you do not pass your real estate licensing test the first time, it is quite okay. You will be able to take it again, but you will probably need to wait a certain period of time. Once you have actually passed the real estate licensing examination, you will be ready to find a job with a reputable real estate agency to work for. While you may have to spend money, time and hard work to get through the real estate licensing process, you will find that it is well worth it in the end.

Why You Should Not Put Property In Your Child’s Name As Part Of An Estate Plan

A good portion of parents with children eventually want to pass on the property they own to their children. Some might think that it is a good idea to put their real estate, home, property, or land in the name of their children while they are still alive. This type of estate plan can be easy to set up and can most likely be done without a lawyer, but it is full of dangers and risks that can pop up and bite you if you are not careful.

Titling your property with a child jointly or what is called in most states joint tenants with right of survivor-ship is an easy way to pass on property to that child. When you die, the property automatically passes to that child without having to go through the probate process. The title must simply be changed from joint ownership to that child’s name after you die and the title will then be in that child’s name. There are numerous reasons why doing this could be a bad idea though. One of the most common reasons that joint ownership with a child may be dangerous is that the child has an ownership interest in the property before you die and this interest could be subject to divorce proceedings, the IRS, or other creditors that your child may have.

Your ex son or daughter in law or your child’s creditor can assert their interest in your property while you are still alive because the property is in your child’s name. Your child could be entitled to force you to sell your house if they feel that you are unable to care for yourself anymore and would be able to share the proceeds. Your child could also move their family in with you and become permanent guests. It is much better to maintain control over the title of your house and pass your interest after you die to avoid any potential problems. This can either be done through a will or living trust. When you are in control of the property no one else that has problems can interfere with your right to live in that property while you are alive or pass it on to others when you die. Losing the right to live in your own house is a potentially steep price to for not having a proper estate plan in place. A will or living trust protects yourself and your family.

Should I Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer?

One of the biggest questions many families face is whether or not their loved one should hire an estate planning lawyer or not. Not only are there are a large number of lawyers qualified for this task, but there are likely many friends and family members in your address book who could refer you to one if the question of who to hire comes up. When it comes to ensuring your loved one’s affairs are in order, an estate-planning lawyer is an asset.

Lawyers who are adept in estate planning can help with the following: • Writing wills and trusts: few people realize that, if you are the beneficiary or otherwise listed anywhere else on the will, you cannot sign the will as a witness. This fact is one of the biggest reasons why wills become invalid. Keeping all the documents in order, ensuring they follow the law, and making sure all the signatures are legal are some of the many tasks your estate-planning lawyer will handle. Your estate-planning lawyer will also conduct all updates to your wills and trusts as life changes occur. • Establishing a power of attorney: there are a few different types of powers of attorney, and several reasons why there are differences. This is a confusing reality, particularly if you’re in the middle of a crisis situation. Your lawyer specializing in estate planning will tell you which type of power of attorney is necessary, and which is not. It is very important that you have all the proper documents in order and everything is in place in case there is an emergency. • Retirement planning: the sooner people plan their retirement, the better. Gone are the days of depending on various government benefits to see us through during our golden years. Instead, we must plan in advance. Few people realize estate-planning lawyers play an integral role in retirement planning. Your lawyer will work with your financial planner and other professionals to ensure your plan is properly put together. Don’t be frustrated if your loved one doesn’t want to hire an estate planning lawyer. This isn’t an uncommon reaction because, often times, individuals believe the end of their days are near and that they’re going to lose control of their property, and they are not going to be able to make their own financial decisions any longer. Reassure them that this is not the case, and they will still have full control over all decisions regarding their estate until there is medical need calling for alternate decision making through a power of attorney. Make sure they are also part of the decision making process because it is, after all, their estate in question.

Before making your final decision as to who to hire as your estate-planning lawyer, hold many interviews with lawyers in order to ensure there’s a good rapport and the credentials you want to see are in place. Remember, you are going to be working with this Sunset Utah lawyer for a long period of time, as well as their associates, so you must be able to establish a good working relationship with them. If you feel like you can’t get along with them during the interview, contact additional lawyers until you feel confident you’ve made a good long-term decision.

Free Initial Consultation with Lawyer

It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. Legal problems come to everyone. Whether it’s your son who gets in a car wreck, your uncle who loses his job and needs to file for bankruptcy, your sister’s brother who’s getting divorced, or a grandparent that passes away without a will -all of us have legal issues and questions that arise. So when you have a law question, call Ascent Law for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you!

Ascent Law LLC 8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C West Jordan, Utah 84088 United States Telephone: (801) 676-5506

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[legalupanishad]

Man sentenced to death for killing Parents: Facts and Laws

This article on 'Man sentenced to death for killing Parents: Facts and Laws' was written by Tuba Sanobar, an intern at Legal Upanishad.

Man sentenced to death for killing Parents:

A 47-year-old man was found guilty of killing his parents at their home in 2018 and was given the death penalty by a court in Chhattisgarh's Durg District, describing the incident as one of the "rarest of the rare." In a 310-page judgment, Additional Sessions Judge Shailesh Kumar Tiwari decided the death penalty for the man and expressed that only the death penalty will be the appropriate punishment for the convict so that no one ever dares again to commit such a grave offence of murdering his parents. Let us now discuss the facts of the case and the relevant laws regarding it.

Facts of the Case

Sandip Jain killed his mother Surji Devi (67) and father Rawalmal Jain (72), both of whom were well-known businesspeople and social workers in Durg, on January 1. Sandip was the only person present in the house at the time of the incident besides the two deceased, so police detained him based on circumstantial evidence. The father-son duo's disagreements over a number of topics, including property, were proven in court. According to reports, one of the problems was that the accused did not like it when his father asked him to fetch water from the nearby Sheonath river to perform rituals at a temple in their home. The police reported that Sandip killed his parents out of fear that they would reject him. Sandip was found guilty of murder under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code by the court after hearing the arguments and examining the evidence. The Indian Penal Code's Section 302 addresses the penalty for murder.  Murder is punishable by death or life in prison. The other two defendants, Bhagat Singh Gurudatta and Shailendra Sagar, who had given Sandip a gun, received five years in solitary confinement as well as a fine of Rs 1,000 each.

What does the law say about the maintenance of parents?

In addition to being a moral obligation, maintaining parents is a legal obligation as set forth in the Criminal Procedure Code of 1973 and the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act of 2007. These clauses are unavoidable and can be applied when children neglect to care for their parents. Along with the wife and children, parents are entitled to maintenance under Section 125 of the 1973 Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The maintenance rights of the mother and father are expressly provided for in CrPC Section 125(1)(d).  According to Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, a wife, children, and parents may ask their husband, father, and children for support, as appropriate. According to Section 125, the maintenance provision, if a son or daughter refuses maintenance of parents and they lack any means of income to support themselves, the appropriate courts may order maintenance and welfare of parents. For each instance of failure to pay maintenance to parents, the Magistrate may issue a warrant for that person's arrest and/or place them in jail for up to one month or until payment is made, whichever comes first. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act of 2007 is another piece of legislation.  It specifically addresses all issues pertaining to the upkeep and welfare of parents through financial assistance as well as the creation of old age homes for elderly people without children or parents who have been neglected.  

Man sentenced to death for killing Parents: Facts and Laws

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007

A provision in Section 23 of the 2007 Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act allows for the nullification of specific property transfers. It primarily shields senior citizens from financial fraud committed by those with fiduciary responsibilities.  For instance, a senior citizen might give away his or her property to someone else with the only requirement that the beneficiary meets his or her basic physical needs. The transfer will be deemed to have occurred fraudulently, coercively, or under undue influence in such a situation, and at the senior citizen's discretion, it may be declared void. Senior citizens (those over 60) and parents of any age are covered by the Act for the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents. Maintenance orders can be obtained against children or any relative who is the senior citizen's legal heir. The Act also mentions the State Government for establishing a Maintenance Tribunal.  Parents can hire family lawyers to help them understand the situation, but they do not necessarily need one while the matter is before the Maintenance Tribunal. The maintenance application process must be completed within 90 days of serving notice on the children/relatives.  An extension of 30 days may be given in case of exceptional circumstances.

Can parents demand maintenance from sons?

Yes, the law allows parents to seek maintenance from their sons and daughters if they are unable to support themselves. In the case of Dr. (Mrs.) Vijaya Manohar Arbat v. Kashi Rao Rajaram Savai and others, the court ruled that "a father or mother, unable to maintain himself or herself, can claim maintenance from his or her son or daughter." The phrase "his father or mother" refers to both the father and mother of a child, not just the father or mother of a son. Both sons and daughters have a moral and legal obligation to look out for and support their parents. If this obligation is not met, parents may knock on the doors of maintenance tribunals to demand payment from their children for their monthly expenses. If the children's parents don't pay their maintenance as required by the Act, they risk being imprisoned for three months or longer. Money is not everything, though, as some people find it difficult to maintain their independence as they age and require help with daily tasks. Section 19 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens, Act 2007 calls for the establishment of old age homes by the State Government that can house elderly people in need.

Conclusion

The CrPC and the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, impose legal obligations on children to care for their elderly parents, which includes providing for their needs.  One may end up committing the heinous crime of murdering his own parents due to some unnecessary misunderstanding and disbelief among his own parents. It is morally repugnant and violates the law at the same time. India is a morally upstanding, religious, and spiritual country. It is believed that respecting your parents is a reward-earning activity that aids kids in achieving paradise in the hereafter. Children aspire to receive the blessings of their parents, and this is reflected in Indian law in the form of a duty to the parents.

References

- Chhattisgarh man gets life imprisonment for killing parents, girlfriend, burying bodies, India Today, 31 January 2023, available at: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/chhattisgarh-man-gets-life-imprisonment-for-killing-parents-girlfriend-bodies-burial-2328555-2023-01-31 - Man sentenced to death for killing parents in Chhattisgarh; court terms it 'rarest of rare crime, 24 January 2023, Press Trust of India, available at: https://www.ptinews.com/news/national/man-sentenced-to-death-for-killing-parents-in-chhattisgarh-court-terms-it-rarest-of-rare-crime/500022.html - The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019, PRS India, available at: https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-maintenance-and-welfare-of-parents-and-senior-citizens-amendment-bill-2019 Read the full article

[sbpadiz]

The Family Code of the Philippines

Title IV - Property Relations Between Husband And Wife

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Baguio

SECOND DIVISION

G.R. No. 200274

MELECIO DOMINGO, Petitioner, vs. SPOUSES GENARO MOLINA and ELENA B. MOLINA, substituted by ESTER MOLINA, Respondents.

FACTS: Spouses Anastacio and Flora Domingo bought a property in Camiling, Tarlac, consisting of a one-half undivided portion over an 18,164 square meter parcel of land.

During his lifetime, Anastacio borrowed money from the respondent spouses Genaro and Elena Molina (spouses Molina). On September 10, 1978 or 10 years after Flora's death, Anastacio sold his interest over the land to the spouses Molina to answer for his debts. In May 19, 1995, the sale of Anastacio's interest was registered under Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. 272967... and transferred the entire one-half undivided portion of the land to the spouses Molina. Melecio, one of the children of Anastacio and Flora, learned of the transfer and filed a Complaint for Annulment of Title and Recovery of Ownership (Complaint) against the spouses Molina on May 17, 1999.

Melecio also claims that Genaro Molina must have falsified the document transferring Anastacio and Flora's one-half undivided interest over the land. Finally, Melecio asserts that he occupied the subject property from the time of Anastacio's death up to the time he filed the Complaint. Melecio presented the testimonies of the Records Officer of the Register of Deeds of Tarlac, and of Melecio's nephew, George Domingo (George).

The Records Officer testified that he could not locate the instrument that documents the transfer of the subject property ownership from Anastacio to the spouses Molina. The Records Officer also testified that the alleged sale was annotated at the time when Genaro Molina's brother was the Register of Deeds for Camiling, Tarlac. George, on the other hand, testified that he has been living on the subject property owned by Anastacio since 1986. George testified, however, that aside from himself, there were also four other occupants on the subject property, namely Jaime Garlitos, Linda Sicangco, Serafio Sicangco and Manuel Ramos.

The spouses Molina presented Jaime Garlitos (Jaime) as their sole witness and who is one of the occupants of the subject lot. Jaime testified that Elena Molina permitted him to build a house on the subject property in 1993. Jaime, together with the other tenants, planted fruit bearing trees on the subject property and gave portions of their harvest to Elena Molina without any complaint from Melecio. Jaime further testified that Melecio never lived on the subject property and that only George Domingo, as the caretaker of the spouses Molina, has a hut on the property.

Meanwhile, the spouses Molina died during the pendency of the case and were substituted by their adopted son, Cornelio Molina.

ISSUE: Whether the sale of a conjugal property to the spouses Molina without Flora's consent is valid and legal

RULING: Melecio argues that the sale of the disputed property to the spouses Molina is void without Flora's consent. We do not find Melecio's argument meritorious. Anastacio and Flora's conjugal partnership was dissolved upon Flora's death. There is no dispute that Anastacio and Flora Domingo married before the Family Code's effectivity on August 3, 1988 and their property relation is a conjugal partnership. The conjugal partnership of Anastacio and Flora was dissolved when Flora died in 1968 Article 130 of the Family Code requires the liquidation of the conjugal partnership upon death of a spouse and prohibits any disposition or encumbrance of the conjugal property prior to the conjugal partnership liquidation, Article 130. Upon the termination of the marriage by death, the conjugal partnership property shall be liquidated in the same proceeding for the settlement of the estate of the deceased. If no judicial settlement proceeding is instituted, the surviving spouse shall liquidate the conjugal partnership property either judicially or extra-judicially within one year from the death of the deceased spouse. If upon the lapse of the six-month period no liquidation is made, any disposition or encumbrance involving the conjugal partnership property of the terminated marriage shall be void. While Article 130 of the Family Code provides that any disposition involving the conjugal property without prior liquidation of the partnership shall be void, this rule does not apply since the provisions of the Family Code shall be "without prejudice to vested rights already acquired in accordance with the Civil Code or other laws.

[beardedmrbean]

April 11 (UPI) -- Lori Norene Vallow, the mother of two slain Idaho children, is competent to stand trial on murder charges and must be transferred from a mental facility to jail, a state judge ruled Monday.

In his one-page order, Judge Steven Boyce ruled that Vallow is "restored to competency and fit to proceed" with an arraignment on murder charges, which he set for April 19.

The order meant that Vallow -- who was indicted along with her husband Chad Daybell last year on first-degree murder charges -- is to be taken from an Idaho Department of Health and Welfare facility and put into the custody of the Fremont County, Idaho, sheriff to await trial.

Her murder trial was delayed in June when she was committed to a mental facility after a judge agreed she could not help in her own defense. RELATED Idaho couple indicted on murder charges in deaths of two children, woman

Vallow and Daybell were indicted by an Idaho grand jury in the deaths of Joshua "J.J." Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17 -- Vallow's children by an earlier marriage and via adoption.

Daybell was also indicted on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of his then-wife Tammy Daybell in 2019. Daybell, who was affiliated with a sect of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, is the author of more than a dozen apocalyptic-themed novels that have been called religiously extreme by former co-workers.

The Rexburg, Idaho, Police Department, FBI and Fremont County Sheriff's Office found the children's remains at Daybell's property in June 2020. They were reported missing in September 2019 by relatives who had not heard from them for months. RELATED Lori Vallow charged with lying to police to conceal deaths of children

The children were last seen together in September at Yellowstone National Park, and J.J. was taken out of school later in the month by his mother, who said she wanted to home-school the child.

In a separate but related case, an Arizona grand jury indicted Lori Vallow last year for conspiracy to commit murder in the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in 2019.

Police and prosecutors alleged Charles Vallow's death was part of a "master plan" hatched by Lori Vallow to wed Chad Daybell to fulfill a religious prophecy in which they believed they were destined to lead 144,000 people in preparing for the end of the world.

Chandler, Ariz., police stated in an affidavit that Charles Vallow had confronted his wife about her relationship with Chad Daybell and had threatened to expose it to Daybell's then-wife, Tammy Daybell.

[nordleuchten]

La Fayette in Prison - Part 4.2 - Adrienne in Paris

After six months the dreaded news came. Adrienne was to be transferred to Paris. Virginie wrote:

My mother arrived in Paris on the 19th of Prairial, the eve of the fete de l'Étre supréme, three days before the decree of the 22nd, which organized une terreur dans la Terreur. At that time, no less than sixty people were daily falling victims of the Revolutionary Tribunal. All seemed to forebode approaching death to my mother.

Her children were allowed to visit her one last time and her oldest daughter, Anastasie, argued and pleaded with the guards that she was old enough to be taken with her mother to Paris, that she was an adult and guilty of the same “crimes” as her mother. Anastasie was fifteen at this point in time and the guard refused her, although they were visibly touched by her plea.

Frestel, well aware of the imminent danger, wrote Morris in Paris and informed him about the situation. Morris lost no time and immediately demanded Robespierre himself to release Adrienne - he was ignored. Morris had previously been quite open about this dislike for the revolution and was therefore not really welcomed. He however made it very, very, very clear, that the Americans were quite attached to La Fayette and his whole family and that if, should anything happen to Adrienne or the children, this could quite possible be the final straw for the Americans. He said, and I paraphrase here, Morris himself was a tad more diplomatic, “Our rebellion against England started with a trade boycott. America is one of the last countries that still trades with France. The American government is and will remain neutral, but if something were to happen to Adrienne or her children and the American people start boycotting French goods, well, what is the government supposed to do?” After that, Morris was even more hated by the Jacobins but his initiative proofed to be successful. Adrienne remained in prison but it was made clear that she should not be executed. Americas neutrality was nothing that France could afford to lose.

Frestel had furthermore collected all the jewellery that still reminded in Chavaniac and sold most of it, so that Adrienne would have money while in prison. A number of the servants even gave some of their own money to Adrienne (have I mentioned how great and loyal and amazing the servants were?).

Adriennes mother, the duchess d’Ayen, her sister, the vicomtesse de Noailles and her grandmother, the duchess de Noailles were all executed early in July of 1794. Her mother and sister had fled to safety in Switzerland but decided to return to France to nurse Adrienne’s dying grandfather. After his death, the three women were arrested. Virginie wrote concerning their arrests:

My grand mother and my aunt de Noailles, who had remained along time at Saint - Germain, to take care of the Maréchal de Noailles in his old age, returned to Paris  after his death, anxious to attend once more to their religious duties. They were, soon after their return, put under arrest in their own house, at the Hôtel de Noailles. The danger of their situation filled my mother's mind with terror and absorbed all her thoughts.

They died on the same day. Their local priest was able to get close enough to them to give them the absolution. He later noted that the two duchesses at least were content with their fate because they would both die before their child. On the day of the execution, the duchess de Noailles was the first to be guillotined, followed by her daughter, the duchess d’Ayen who in her turn was followed by her daughter, the vicomtesse de Noailles. A parent should not outlive their child.

I can not imagine what Adrienne must have felt as she received the news. All her live she had been extremely close with her mother and her older sister Louise. She furthermore could never be completely certain that she were not to follow her family members to the guillotine. Her American connections kept her safe for the time being, but that could change quickly.

The downfall of Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety was Adrienne’s salvation. More moderate forces took over the reign of government and less and less people were executed. Adrienne however was still in prison - and she did not know why. James Monroe, a close and dear friend of La Fayette had just taken over as ambassador from Morris and getting Adrienne out of prison was one of his top priorities. He could not risk a diplomatic misstep in his affair and he therefor did something very clever - he asked his wife Elizabeth Monroe if she would like to visit Adrienne. Elizabeth naturally agreed and soon the Monroe couple visited Adrienne on a regular basis and brought her all sorts of things she might need in prison. Their visits served two purposes (beside cheering poor Adrienne up). They made it clear that America was still very invested in the wellbeing of Adrienne and her family. They also kept Adrienne in the spotlight because it almost seemed as if the new government had simply forgotten that she was still imprisoned - and still without any reasonable charges. Adrienne wrote Monroe on October 3, 1794:

It is likely that I will be the last to leave this place. I believe that the threat of execution is subsiding and if hope persists, there is no danger for me, as I have not the least reason to be held. But the situation of my children so far away from me adds to the sorrow that will follow me to my grave. These cruel anxieties and this kind of torment not being completely without remedy, I beg you to ease my cares by allowing me a moment of conversation with a man who should have your full confidence. Nothing is easier than what I am asking you, and I cannot believe that you would refuse me. (…)I truly need you to look after the interest of my dear children from whom I have been torn apart. It isn’t too much I think after a two-month confinement in the same place, to ask for the consoling confirmation that I have some right to hope for my liberation at the moment of their arrival. You see, my dear sir, that I assume no pride in this because I sense that you have already enough assurances of my appreciation that I am ready for you to undertake new responsibilities. But, I am accustomed to remaining silent when I am not allowed to express openly what I feel. Pardon the candor with which I express myself to you; and doubt not that not only what the United States and its minister has done for me, but what they have willingly attempted to do for me, has instilled in me a very sincere appreciation.

There are many letters between Monroe and Adrienne, a few letters between Adrienne and Washington and only one letter between Adrienne and La Fayette (that I know of). Monroe did not only aided Adrienne in obtaining her release but he also helped her further with her finances and to take care of several relatives and former employees. Here is just one of the many, many examples. Adrienne wrote to Monroe in an undated letter (in all likelihood November 1794):

I cannot finish without recommending again to the kindnesses of the American minister, Mr Mercier, a servant who has served me for seventeen years with fidelity and zeal, and who has also run risks for me and shared with me a month in prison. He has a position at this moment, but I cannot bear the idea that he would suffer poverty. And I need to hope that he will not be abandoned by the United States. A very poor family whose son is the victim with my husband also has sacred claims to their kindness, the father, the mother and five children will be furnished of what aid that will relieve them.

Adrienne was not in a great position herself, but she constantly thought of others.

After a grand total of sixteen months in prison, Adrienne was finally released. Her immediate aim was to get her son and his tutor Frestel to the safe shores of America. She first re-purchased Chavaniac from the government so that Louise Charlotte and her children had a safe place to stay. She also argued with the government that she was eligible to inherit her mother’s properties - they eventually agreed with her. Monroe in the meantime had “found” an American passport for Georges. (Let me know if you all are interested in a separate post about Georges time and reception in America).

Adrienne and her daughters travelled to Austria, there to argue for La Fayette’s release - and that is exactly where we continue next time, with La Fayette’s stay in the infamous Olmütz prison.

[dwellordream]

“As Henry II’s queen, Eleanor had a large staff of servants responsible for her needs who formed her own separate household within the larger royal household. Her own household imitated the larger royal one with officials bearing identical titles, her own chancellor, and numerous clerks as well as a steward, butler, and chamberlain. Because of her husband’s numerous lengthy absences from the kingdom, her entourage expanded during those periods to include numbers of the king’s men. Eleanor’s personal household did not number as many as the hundred or more persons in the service of Henry III’s queen in the mid-thirteenth century, but she probably had forty or more persons of varying ranks serving her, equivalent in size to the household of any English earl or major baron.

…At royal courts factionalism sometimes arose as ambitious relatives and courtiers following a foreign princess to her new husband’s court competed with native-born courtiers, who feared the newcomers as “an all-powerful alien faction.” This had been the case at the court of Louis VII, where members of Eleanor’s Poitevin entourage formed a clique that threatened long-standing Capetian courtiers’ influence. There was little possibility of a similar situation at the English royal court, however. When Eleanor left Poitiers with Henry for his duchy of Normandy after Easter 1154, she had left behind most of her household assembled during the two years following her flight to Beaugency to Poitou in 1152. When the couple finally set sail for England at the end of the year, she was not accompanied by the large retinue of Poitevins that had followed her to Paris as a young bride, and few Poitevins ever followed her northward to the English court in search of patronage. 

As a result, the likelihood of her creating a powerful Poitevin faction in England was slim, and her countrymen were not a factor in rivalry for royal patronage. She would be spared the hostility that Henry III’s queen, Eleanor of Provence, would arouse in the mid-thirteenth century by attracting hordes of fortune seeking Provençal and Savoyard relatives to the English court. Apart from general suspicion of the southern French for their frivolity and profligacy, no evidence survives of anti-Poitevin sentiments among native-born courtiers such as that prevalent later in the reigns of King John and Henry III, when the word “Poitevin” became a term of opprobrium. 

Despite the paucity of Poitevins in Eleanor’s entourage, she could not escape involvement in the scramble for patronage prevalent at royal courts. With an entourage equivalent to a major baronial household in size, the queen had considerable patronage to dispense, and ambitious men in pursuit of patronage from her husband would have sought her to intercede on their behalf. A lucrative queenly perquisite pursued by Eleanor’s saintly predecessor, Edith-Matilda, wife of Henry I, was the sale of influence. Petitioners seeking favors from the king or influence at court would not have hesitated to give gifts to the queen, hoping for her intercession with her husband on their behalf. 

…The only Poitevin noble known to have received a land grant in England was Eleanor’s uncle Ralph de Faye, although it is uncertain whether he ever visited there. A younger son of the queen’s maternal grandfather, the viscount of Châtellerault, Ralph styled himself “de Faye” after his wife’s ancestral lordship on the Poitevin–Angevin frontier. Holding posts in Poitou, he was more valuable to Eleanor looking out for her interests in her native county. Eleanor managed to secure for her uncle estates at Bramley, Surrey, in her first year as queen, and his lands enjoyed favors such as pardons from taxes and freedom from visitations of royal justices and foresters. 

Ralph de Faye succeeded in ingratiating himself with Henry, and he often joined the king’s entourage in France until his fall from royal favor in 1173. Eleanor took advantage of her new position to show generosity to other kinsmen belonging to the Châtellerault lineage. For Barthélemy de Vendôme, apparently related to her through Ralph’s family, Eleanor found an ecclesiastical living in England. Some time before 1173, she persuaded the abbot of Westminster Abbey to appoint him as priest of one of the abbey’s churches in Essex. Barthélemy, dean of Angers Cathedral at the time and elected archbishop of Tours in 1174, would have held the church as an absentee, finding a needy English cleric to carry out his priestly duties.

No doubt others accompanied Eleanor from Aquitaine to England, their names now lost, not important enough to be recorded in documents. She would have brought with her lesser-ranking retainers, such as maidservants, and higher-ranking Poitevins in her household would have brought along their own servants. Other elements of Eleanor’s household in England remain largely hidden, although hints survive from accounts of later English queens’ households. It was customary for later medieval queens to recruit groups of noblewomen or girls to serve in their households, forerunners of the later “ladies of the bedchamber” or “ladies of honor” of modern queens. No doubt, such aristocratic ladies could be found in Eleanor’s household. 

…One member of Eleanor’s household who seems to have played a military role is “a rather enigmatic personage” known as Saldebreuil. Possibly lord of Sanxay, an estate near Saint-Maixent not far from Poitiers, he had belonged to Eleanor’s household in Poitou since shortly before her divorce from Louis VII and was steward of her household at the time of her marriage to Henry. Suggesting that Saldebreuil joined Eleanor’s household in England for a time beginning in 1163 and continuing through 1167 are yearly payments to him of sixty shillings and ten pence from the exchequer. 

The name Saldebreuil became attached to a knightly admirer who won Eleanor’s favor with a daring deed in one of the romantic legends that arose centuries after her death. The tale seems to stress her sensuality, centering on the knight’s engaging in combat while wearing an intimate article of her clothing. According to the story, Eleanor in jest asked which of her household knights would do battle against a fully armored adversary while clad only in one of the queen’s chemises. Saldebreuil volunteered at once, and suffering a wound in the combat, was treated tenderly by Eleanor. That evening, the queen appeared at a banquet wearing the blood-stained chemise, greatly disturbing her husband, the king.

…For Henry II, having his queen live in great state with a large household of her own was part of his program of impressing his new English subjects with his wealth and power. With Eleanor’s landed income supplemented by payments from the exchequer, she could maintain a standard of living equal to that of the greatest English barons. Records of royal spending are far from complete, for much money paid in and spent by the king’s chamber, his household financial office, never passed through the exchequer and therefore left no trace on the pipe rolls. 

Yet Eleanor’s known English income, without counting other revenues left unrecorded or her receipts as duchess of Aquitaine, would have made her a personage of financial importance in the kingdom. She had sufficient funds to be a powerful source of patronage, able to purchase the loyalty of grateful courtiers, the prayers of monastic institutions, and the praise of writers. Firstly, some revenues came to the queen from her own duchy of Aquitaine, although no record of transfers of funds to England survives; and her husband controlled her ducal resources to a large extent. 

Secondly, Eleanor had dowerlands presented to her by Henry, a landed endowment presented by a noble husband to his bride on their wedding day. Once Henry won the English Crown, he bestowed on his queen some—though not all—of the traditional dowerlands of the Anglo-Norman queens, estates given by his grandfather Henry I to his two wives, Edith-Matilda and Adeliza. Eleanor’s dower included some twenty-six properties scattered over thirteen English shires, ranging from single manors to income from prosperous towns, as well as some lands in France. 

…Although it is clear that Eleanor was assigned considerable lands as dower, the degree of her control over them is not certain. Many royal estates had passed out of the king’s hands during the confusion of Stephen’s reign, and it would take time for Henry to restore his domains to their pre-civil war extent. Also a goodly portion of Eleanor’s English estates were in the hands of noble tenants who were great lords themselves, producing only intermittent, though occasionally large “feudal” payments. Supplementing funds coming to the queen from her dowerlands was additional income paid as cash from the exchequer for her living expenses, a pension or “corrody” averaging about £115 annually. In Eleanor’s early years as English queen, she issued her own writs authorizing expenditures for her household needs. 

From time to time she also received cash payments by the king’s writ for individual items, sometimes lumped together on the pipe rolls, but often specified. Still another source of income for Eleanor was queen’s gold; for every hundred silver marks paid to Henry II by noble heirs when they inherited their lands or as offerings for favors, Eleanor as his consort was entitled to one gold mark; considerably more valuable than the silver mark, equivalent to six pounds of silver. This income was important enough for the queen to have her own clerk at exchequer sessions to see to the collection of her gold. Eleanor’s total revenues amounted to a sum equaling that of the kingdom’s richest earls or barons. 

…No doubt she was equally generous with her retainers in England, both clerical and knightly. Yet nothing shows her spending in order to enlist a party or faction among the English nobility to further her interests. No doubt Eleanor did play an active part in court politics, although the evidence does not survive. She would have done well to have cultivated friendships with prominent courtiers and powerful royal administrators, but possibly she was more preoccupied with using her resources as duchess of Aquitaine to purchase a loyal band of men among her Poitevin nobility than with spending her English revenues on recruiting a queen’s party at court. Nor is there evidence to suggest that Eleanor of Aquitaine was particularly generous in making gifts to English monastic foundations, although traditionally, English queens had spent large sums founding new religious houses and adding to established foundations’ endowments.”

- Ralph V. Turner, “A Queen’s Work: Regent for an Absentee King, 1155–1168.” in Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of France, Queen of England

[dcbbw]

For Riam, baby. And tell me something I don't already know. MWAH HA HA.

17. Share a sfw headcanon about one of your OTPs (optional: a specific pairing).

18. Share a nsfw headcanon about one of your OTPs (optional: a specific pairing).

Heeyy, @sirbeepsalot! Check below the cut, and be warned, there is some slight NSFW in there.

17. SFW

The King of Cordonia sat at his desk in the study he shared with his wife and Queen at their Valtorian estate. His fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard of the laptop as he logged into one of the Crown’s many bank accounts.

He smelled Riley before he felt or saw her, and a slight smile flitted across his lips as rose, vanilla, and jasmine wafted through the air. He swiveled the desk chair so he faced her. “Good morning, love,” he murmured before rising to help her across the room.

The Queen made a face when his lips kissed her cheek. “Cook hasn’t brought breakfast up yet?”

“I asked her to wait until you were awake. I know you like your breakfast foods hot,” Liam explained as he rubbed her belly. He grinned when he felt Fric and Frac respond enthusiastically to his touch.

“Thank you,” Riley said, leaning into Liam’s palm pressed against the small of her back as he led her to her favorite chair.

She settled into the colorful orange patchwork Barcalounger Liam had had installed, sitting quietly as her husband fluffed pillows behind her back before fetching her tablet, phone, and morning yogurt. Riley texted Gladys, her house’s majordomo with her meal request; her eyes lifted from the screen to see her husband studying the bank account numbers.

“What are you doing?” she questioned.

“Sending the Walkers their monthly payment.”

When Liam found out during preparations for the Beaumont-Walker wedding in Texas that none of the Walkers had received absolutely nothing regarding their promised stipends for the untimely death of Jackson Walker, the King had been devastated at his father’s actions or lack thereof.

Riley had not been.

Constantine was as big an asshole in death as he had been in life.

Despite the Walkers insisting that they were fine and it wasn’t Liam’s fault, the monarchs held a meeting with Rashad, Bertrand, and the Minister of Finance to discuss righting such a grievous error; after substantial, initial lump sum payments, Bianca and her children began receiving stipends on a monthly basis. Liam knew he could set up the disbursements to deposit automatically, but he felt it was more … personal when he transferred the money manually.

“Don’t forget to take my rent out before you pay them!” Riley reminded her husband.

“You neither live in nor own any property in Texas, Riley”

“And how would YOU know?”

“You also do not live at Ramsford.”

“I DID! ANNND I’m an honorary Beaumont. That estate belongs to me too!”

Liam’s fingers tapped away. “Unfortunately, you are NOT in their line of succession.”

“All I know is, I’d better have some rent money in my account. THIS MORNING! I mean, you are paying them so they can pay me, right?”

Liam rolled his eyes and shook his head as he transferred funds; he paused briefly to toss his wife a quick glance. He saw her playing on her tablet, face scrunched slightly in concentration as her eyes darted over the screen.

“Are you finished yet?” Riley asked. “I need a snack and for you to check on breakfast.”

Liam logged out of the banking website and pushed back his seat. “I am.”

He rose, and walked to a far wall where he pulled a bowl of peeled oranges from the mini-refrigerator. He took them to Riley, leaning over to snatch her lips in a kiss. The Queen eagerly took the bowl and ardently returned Liam’s kiss.

“Okay, get outta here. Bring back pancakes and bacon, with LOTS of butter and syrup!” The Queen demanded as she shoved pieces of citrus in her mouth.

When she heard the study door close behind Liam, Riley grabbed her tablet and logged into her personal banking account. Her eyes studied her balance before she made three funds transfers of $10,000 each, with the memo:

In honor of Jackson Walker’s service and sacrifice. Thank you.

18. NSFW

Riley hisses as the leather belt cracks against her skin; a red whelp instantly raises on her thigh. I watch the reaction on other parts of her body: the thinning of her plump lips, the hardening of her nipples. Her arms, raised above her head and handcuffed to the wall, quiver slightly.

Her eyes are hidden behind a blindfold, but I imagine them closed with her lashes fanned against her cheekbones.

God, she’s so beautiful. I hardly dare to believe she’s mine; or rather, I’m hers. Yes, it was my social season but make no mistake, she chose me; I was the one in competition for her heart and affections.

I pull her into an embrace, careful to stay away from the punished skin until I can rub aloe vera gel on it. My lips find the crook of her neck and I begin sucking and pulling on her flesh, gently at first but her moans and whimpers are fueling my lust for her.

I reach between her legs to push her thighs apart; her hips arch forward of their own volition, her center seeking my member. I take my cock in my hand, using the tip to tease the hood of her sex. She bites her lip before whispering my name. I smirk to myself as I release her hands, rubbing her wrists vigorously.

“Face the wall,” I say in her ear as I gently turn her around.

I wrap my arms around her waist and she relaxes her body, leaning into me. The pads of my thumbs flick and pinch her nipples while I place kisses along the nape of her neck. My knees bend as I squat to kiss along her spine; I reach the top of her buttocks. My hands fall from her breasts to palm her ass; my thumb is now pressing against her most secret of holes.

I feel her body stiffen and see her ass cheeks clench.

And I inwardly curse myself.

The trauma my wife suffered not a dozen years before scarred her both physically and psychologically. This area of her body is off-limits to everyone, even herself. And most certainly to me.

I remove the offending digit, and quickly stand, murmuring apologies. She lets out a shaky sigh.

“I’m sorry,” she breathes.

I hold her, telling her with my silence there is nothing for her to apologize for. I remove the blindfold. Her hands lift mine back to her breasts, and I again turn her so I may lavish her nipples and areolas. She sinks to the carpet under my ministrations and I soon follow. I pause to tend to her whelp, softly rubbing the gel into her skin.

“How does that feel?” I ask, my eyes searching hers.

She nods, a small smile on her face. My head drops between her legs and I kiss and lick the inside of her thighs. Her arousal tickles my nose, and I feel my manhood hardening even more. Her fingers fall into my hair, combing and twisting my hair between them. I wince as I feel the fingers fist and pull me by my hair away from her center.

I look up to see love, fear, and uncertainty play across her face.

“I love you,” she rasps.

“I love you more,” I respond with a trace of confusion in my tone.

“I trust you.”

I nod slowly, wondering where the conversation is headed.

“You can have me. All of me.”

And she rolls over onto her stomach.

#dcbbw #answers #writer’s asks #some nsfw

[gardenofkore]

“Her name implied Joy, for among the three Graces Euphrosyne was the bestowed of joy; and Lynnaeus gave the name to a honey-coloured butterfly prettily striked with black. But this woman, familiarly known as Frosina, who was certainly young and beautiful and very probably foolish and cruel, neither gave nor received much joy in her short life; on the contrary, she proved to be, both for herself and others, a veritable harbinger of death.”

Leonardo Sciascia, Il mare colore del vino (The Wine-Dark Sea), pp. 135-6

Eufrosia (or Eufrosina) was born in Palermo around 1559. Her father was Vincenzo Siracusa, renowned and wealthy jurist, while her mother's name was Vincenza Valdaura. On September 25h 1575, the teen girl married her peer Calcerando (or Calcerano) Corbera. Her husband was the firstborn of Don Antonio Corbera, baron of Miserendino, and Elisabetta Scavuzzo. The Corbera family was a noble and ancient one. If in the past, members of the family had played important roles in the government of the Island (another Calcerando Corbera had been Vicar of the Kingdom from 1449 to 1552), by the end of XVIth century, the family was experiencing a financial crisis (they were forced to mortgage their fiefs' production), like the majority of the other Sicilian noble ones.

Wishing to replenish the family's coffers and to save its face, in 1572 Don Antonio had asked and obtained the licentia populandi (in the Kingdom of Sicily that meant the right, conceded by the King or the Viceroy, to build and populate a village) of his fief of Miserendino (located in Val di Mazara, between Sambuca and Calatamauro), where he intended to build a farmhouse and a tower. Despite obtaining the licentia, he hadn't enough money to start the works, so the title of baron of Miserendino was empty of any tangible valour.

It's then easy to understand the reason behind Eufrosia and Calcerando's marriage. The Corberas needed the Siracusas' wealth, while the latter wanted to socially raise themselves. It's even clearer  noticed in the nuptial agreements: out of the 1600 onzes part of the bride's dowry, 1200 were given cash on hand to Don Antonio Corbera. Moreover, Eufrosia's mother bestowed the couple of two fiefs (Maganuci and Traversa di Iato, in Val di Mazara), some warehouses, an oil mill, the ownership and income of many houses and buildings. Vincenza Valdaura would have kept the usufruct of her former possessions, perhaps an attempt to protect the family's belongings from the elder Corbera's greedy clutches. If that was the reason, Vincenza didn't succeed as both she and her husband died one month before their daughter's marriage. On the other hand, Antonio Corbera ceded his son the nominal title of baron of Miserendino, although he reserved the incomes derived from the barony.

Taking advantage of the fact that the young and now vulnerable  Eufrosia was now the sole heir of her considerable family fortune, Don Antonio felt he was now free to dispose of it as if it was his own. For example, two years later he forced his weak-willed son and his daughter-in-law to borrow a large sum from the Baron of Cutò to expand and embellish the palace where they all lived and for other luxurious expenses. It's no surprise Eufrosia quickly developed a burning hate towards her father-in-law, exacerbated by Calcerando's submissive character towards his despotic father.

Eufrosia's life changed drastically when she met Viceroy and Prince Marcantonio II Colonna, newly appointed Viceroy of Sicily under Felipe II of Spain. The Hero of Lepanto was 25 years older than her, brilliant, brave, hailed as the greatest man of his time. In a nutshell, Colonna was in every way the opposite of poor Calcerando.

The Baroness of Miserendino and the Viceroy met in Palermo during a banquet and it was love at first sight. Like Eufrosia, Colonna too was married. His wife, Princess Felice Orsini, belonged to one of the oldest and most important noble families in Italy and Europe.

The relationship between Eufrosia and Colonna progressed so quickly that, in a letter dated 1579, the Viceroy describes himself as having fallen so hard for Donna Eufrosina to the point of feeling as his heart had been ripped out of his chest and beating like a drum. In her answer, the woman (who admits to reciprocating his feelings) begs his Excellency to forget about her. That won't happen.

The meeting with Colonna gives Eufrosia the strength to oppose her husband and her father-in-law. She refused to pay off Don Antonio's debts and forced her husband to fictitiously donate her his property to preserve her dowry.

Her father-in-law was so piqued, he retaliated by accusing his daughter-in-law of cheating on Calcerando with a page. The poor man died after being questioned about his affair with his mistress. Since the Corbera was an esteemed noble family, nobody was charged and the page's murder was left unavenged.

In September 1580, Eufrosina found out she was pregnant with Colonna. She tried in many ways to have an abortion until she naturally miscarried in January 1581. Luckily for her, nor her husband or her father-in-law never learnt about her secret pregnancy.

When the relationship between the Viceroy and the Baroness became public knowledge, Don Antonio was enraged. He went as far as publically menacing Colonna. Fearing for his life, the Viceroy had the older Corbera arrested with the charge of insolvency. Shortly after, on February 2nd 1581, he was found mysteriously dead in his cell. It's almost certain he had been poisoned.

With her father-in-law out of the picture, Eufrosia was now freer to dispose of her financial situation. She obtained the separation of property and even sued her husband, accusing him of having paid off his debts just to please him. She obtained the return of her dowry, but she was still legally married to her husband. In debt, the baron tried to put up a brave face, thinking that openly accepting his wife's affair would have socially and economically benefitted him. In summer 1581 Calcerando accepted an offer to join a mission to quell a revolt of the Knights of Malta. The Baron  left for the island, but on August 28th he was found murdered near his Maltese habitation, he had been stabbed. Calcerando was buried in Malta as his widow didn't make any attempt to have the body transferred and buried in his family tomb.

Like it had happened on the occasion of his father's mysterious death, the Viceroy was by many accused to be the instigator behind the murder.

The couple continued their dalliances, with Eufrosia sleeping with her lover in his palace. An anecdote recounts that they were once caught red-handed by Donna Felice. To avoid been seen, a naked and barefoot Eufrosia tried to hide on the balcony. As the Vicereine entered the chamber, she immediately noticed the baroness' slippers. Long since aware of her husband's infidelity and his many lovers, Felice Orsini jokingly asked her husband if those slippers were a gift for her. When the Viceroy shamelessly answered that it was indeed so, the betrayed wife went to the balcony and foud her husband's freezing lover. The Princess then addressed Eufrosia "Bear with me, I'd like my husband all to myself tonight". She then had the baroness generously escorted home.

“Lord Marcantonio [...] was so blinded by his passion that, careless of his viceregal authority and reputation, he became a second Antony to his Cleopatra.” (Leonardo Sciascia, Il mare colore del vino, pp. 136). If the Vicereine once again closed her eyes, the people of Palermo were deeply scandalised when the Viceroy had a new fountain built by the end of the XVIth century at the end of the Colonna Promenade (and near Porta Felice!). The mermaid which decorated it, according to many, looked suspiciously a lot like the Viceroy's already famous mistress.

The lovers' happiness won't last long though. Ottavio Bonnet, a kinsman of the deceased Baron of Miserendino, took upon himself to get revenge for Don Antonio and Calcerando's death. Firstly he managed to remove little Vincenzo Corbera (Calcerando's 6 years old brother and his heir) from Eufrosia's custody. Bonnet then travelled to Madrid to accuse the Viceroy in front of the court. Bonnet's accuses were welcomed by the anti-Colonna faction, which added Corbera's dual murders to Colonna's many misdeeds and managed to have the Viceroy summoned to the capital.

In 1584 Marcantonio Colonna left Sicily, but he would never reach Madrid. On August 1st 1584, he died mysteriously in Medinaceli. According to some sources, he was poisoned by a betrayed husband.

The distraught Eufrosia sought protection from the one person who would have had all the reasons to refuse her, Felice Orsini. Instead of turning her down, the kind and sympathetic princess welcomed her deceased husband's lover to her palace in Rome. Here, the former Vicereine introduced Eufrosia to the widowed Roman nobleman Lelio Massimo. At that time, Eufrosia was 25 and still beautiful and  charming, so it was almost natural that at some point Massimo proposed to her. Unfortunately for the future couple, his sons were against this match. On June 18th 1585, a few weeks before the wedding, Eufrosia was lured by her future sons-in-law with an excuse and killed. Lelio Massimo died soon after of heartbreak, while his sons were arrested and executed.

Even the Mermaid fountain's fate was a sad one. In 1820 it was moved to Piano di Santa Teresa (nowadays Piazza Indipendenza), but twenty years later it was destroyed during the Sicilian revolution of 1848. In his stead an obelisk was erected to commemorate the martyrs of the Italian Independence.

Sources:

Leonardo Sciascia, Il mare colore del vino

Orazio Caschetto, Il Vicerè e la Baronessa

Pietro Burgarella, Calcerando Corbera in  Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani

[brattyfics]

Pairing: Miguel Galindo x Daya Galindo [Black OC]

Word Count: 4,681

Synopsis | Masterlist

Chapter One

On the last leg of a week-long trip to San Diego, Daya Galindo did her best to remain engaging, open, and approachable.

Along with thirty other members of San Diego’s elite inner circle, she occupied one Petco Park’s most expensive and exclusive Skyboxes. Many of her nights were spent in the same Skybox attending the Padre’s baseball games.

This time, however, the Skybox has been transformed into a ballroom of sorts. Several circular tables were spaced out in the large room, eight chairs provided at each. Simple but elegant centerpieces decorated the tables.

The $10,000 a night Skybox opened up to the empty stadium on one side, and a breathtaking view of San Diego’s skyline on the other side. The sliding floor-to-ceiling windows were closed, and Daya found herself missing the fresh air she enjoyed on game days.

Most attendees remained inside, adding to the suffocating feeling in her chest.

Her husband, commercial real estate mogul and serial entrepreneur, Miguel Galindo, was one of the few people outside on the brick terrace. He used the balcony to take a private call.

“You look so pretty!” Marcy Stevens, the wife of a potential business partner, complimented Daya in a chipper tone.

An eight-hundred dollar silk cocktail dress stopped just above her ankles. An equally expensive pair of nude heels complimented the deep red of her dress. The front was designed to cover her breasts, giving the illusion of modesty while the fabric hugged her curves, outlining her shape. Thin straps were tied intricately on the back of the low cut dress. The ensemble was on-brand for Mrs. Galindo, a perfect balance between sexy and classy.

The big, springy curls that framed her heart-shaped face, bunching around the top of her shoulders, were also on brand. Her makeup was done simply, shades of brown and gold to complement her features.

Marcy was right. She did look stunning.

Regardless, Daya did her best to appear humbled by the compliment. It wasn’t that she was cocky or arrogant. The truth was she had become numb.

“You too! I love your lipstick. What shade is it?”

“Hmm. I’m not sure.” The middle-aged woman considered it for a moment before ruffling through her compact.

With a bright smile, she held the tube of lipstick up victoriously. She passed it over to Daya to inspect.

After pretending to take note of the brand and shade in her mind, she passed the tube back to Marcy. “Thank you.”

She couldn’t care less what shade of lipstick the woman wore, but the name of the game was flattery. Fundraising galas, country club banquets, and art exhibits had all become a blur of polite one-liners one after the other.

“It’s so nice to see you.” She lied even when it wasn’t.

“We have to have dinner and drinks soon.” She said to be polite, even when she’d rather not spend her time discussing the newest fashion releases with bored housewives.

“How are the kids?” She asked, although she had no interest in listening to parents ramble on about how great their mediocre children were.

“I love your dress. Who designed it?” Chances were she didn’t care.

A lively buzz of murmurs was standard for these events. Conversations flowed as freely as the champagne. Whether it was to foster relationships or just pass the time, people desperately spewed out the words like they would die if they couldn’t get it all out.

The constant chatter annoyed her, but Daya was able to connect with almost anyone on some level.

She knew a little bit about a lot of things, so conversations about sports, stock-trading, or even spa treatments were right up her alley. She never would have imagined herself as the type of woman to participate in meaningless conversations daily, but alas, she was. Her experience as a member of California’s high society was a far cry from her upbringing.

Daya Galindo was born Dayana Sims inside a community hospital in Hawthorne, California. Her mother, Denise Sims, settled in Cali sometime during her pregnancy. Denise didn’t talk about her life before Daya much. Her daughter knew almost nothing about her mother’s family or her reasons for moving to California. She didn’t even know her dad!

Daya was as inquisitive as any kid. She often wondered about him—who he was, what he looked like, where he lived, and if he ever thought about her. Her mother shut down any questions about him. The answer was always ‘stay in a child’s place’ or ‘grow up and let it go’. That was her mother’s response to anything uncomfortable, and inadvertently she taught her daughter to shrink herself to avoid conflict.

It was one of many bad habits that years of expensive therapy hadn’t completely fixed.

Denise had also taught her daughter to not form attachments. They moved around a lot when Daya was young. Most times it was only a few cities over, but each time she left someone behind. There was no explanation for why. That’s just how it was. She made it through her teens and early twenties without feeling the need to set down roots.

Her husband, Miguel, changed that.

On paper, Miguel Galindo was everything any woman would want in a husband. He was wealthy, smart, handsome, and charming when he wanted to be.

An honors graduate of Stanford, he quickly established a name for himself in business. Fresh out of college, he moved to New York and started a career in luxury real estate. From there, his interests transferred to commercial properties, and thus the entrepreneur in him was born. Miguel now owned successful businesses on both the East and West Coast.

When Daya met Miguel, he was new to Santo Padre and adjusting to his new lifestyle. The man who raised him died, and his mother, Dita was a wreck. Miguel vividly remembered the sounds of Jose beating Dita a room over, and the way he viciously chose his words to cut her down. Everyone thought she would be excited to start the next chapter of her life without him, but Dita took his death the hardest.

Becoming the man of the family meant his own complicated relationship with Jose was put on the back burner. His mother needed him, and the family business desperately needed tending to.

As the couple’s only child, he was the obvious heir. Regardless of his feelings about it, it was inevitable. Miguel’s future had been decided before he was even born.

Through the crystal clear glass, Daya watched Miguel’s face contort in annoyance. With a quick wave of his hand, he gestured for his head of security, Nestor Oceteva, to join him at his side. A few words were uttered between them before they were making their way inside. She expected Miguel to rejoin her at the table, but instead, he made a beeline for the elevators.

She was a little concerned, but not alarmed. If anything had gone seriously wrong, Miguel would be by her side, excusing them for the evening. He probably just needed more privacy.

Daya stepped up in his absence, focusing on the Stevens’ project in front of her.

Tom Stevens was Marcy’s husband and the owner of a chain of hotels in downtown San Diego. Property value in San Diego was higher than ever and steadily increasing, which made the hotels a worthy addition to Miguel’s portfolio.

An epiphany inspired Tom. He was passionate about the hotels because he built them from the ground up, but he realized his passion was better suited for home.

Marcy was a forty-something widower who decided to give love another chance with Tom. He was ten years her senior and even more unlucky in love, but he didn’t let his previously failed relationships stop him from trying again. The couple were newlyweds, and it showed with the way they giggled and grinned at each other every few seconds. It was cute watching them interact like love-struck teenagers.

Daya and Miguel had their moments, of course, but what they had was much different than the Stevens’. The young couple had gone through their rough patches and made it out on the other side, but the newlywed glimmer was definitely gone. Tom and Marcy were still open to each other and hopeful for the future. Willfully naive in Daya’s opinion.

No, what she and Miguel had was much more complicated. Neither of them trusted anybody completely, even themselves.

In between light conversation, she admired the night sky. In the distance, she could see the top of their hotel. It would be at least another hour before she could go back there, sinking into the king-sized mattress for the night. The Egyptian cotton sheets were calling her name.

“I was out in Brawley the other day, and I saw some of your signs up. What are you guys working on out there?”

If she remembered correctly, it was Luke that was speaking to her. Daya turned in her chair to face him as she responded.

Mama always said, “A woman’s work is never done.”

Another fifteen minutes passed before Miguel rejoined them, the vein in his forehead also present and in attendance.

Daya took a quick glance over her shoulder in search of Nestor. He wore a similar expression, confirming her suspicions.

They hadn’t resolved the problem.

Her hand found her husband’s thigh, softly stroking the strong muscle through his slacks. They sat close enough to the table that the movement was hidden. She smiled at him innocently when his eyes found hers for a second, a clear warning behind them.

A young woman with toffee-colored skin, and a short coiled Afro, approached the table, introducing herself as Eva.

Daya scanned her slim frame in the bright green dress she wore while Marcy explained how they met. Seven months ago, while volunteering at Skid Row, apparently.

Tom stood to offer Eva his seat, hand resting on the back of Marcy’s chair.

Eva talked about her non-profit organization, speaking passionately with her hands about what needed to be done to eradicate poverty. She shared her personal experience with homelessness, and how it shaped her life.

The expression on everyone’s faces said they were listening intently, but Daya knew better.

Millionaires didn’t care about poverty, because their wealth depended on it.

Daya had never been homeless, but she had been poor, and it wasn’t fun. Helping to dismantle capitalism was the last thing on her to-do list. She knew it was selfish, but she didn’t care.

While Eva spoke, Daya’s fingers inched up her husband’s thigh. She wasn’t surprised to find he was already half ready for her, his length thickening underneath his expensive slacks.

Miguel leaned over to whisper in her ear, the hairs of his beard just lightly tickling her ear.

“Watch yourself, conejita.”

The words sent a chill down her spine, but she didn’t remove her hand. Shifting in her seat, she crossed her legs in a poor attempt to dull the subtle throb below.  

To her left, Luke asked Eva a question, diverting everyone’s attention to him. Daya used it as an opportunity to push her man further.

“Or what, papi?” The term of endearment rolled off her tongue with ease.

“Keep it up and you’ll find out.” He whispered through clenched teeth, speaking without moving his mouth. It reminded her of a mother scolding their child, and she resisted the urge to laugh.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” She warned Miguel, tapping his knee patronizingly.

Miguel’s arm came up to rest on the top of her chair, and his head dipped to whisper in her ear once more.

“Brat.” The word triggered something in her, and she bit the inside of her cheek.

A better woman would be annoyed by the nickname, or even insulted. Along with other words a wholesome woman wouldn’t appreciate, brat was a term of endearment between them.

Daya straightened, trying to clear her mind of dirty thoughts. The heated looks they were giving each other weren’t appropriate for the topic of discussion.

When she and Eva made eye contact, she nodded politely. When the woman stopped speaking, she would need to have something of substance to add to the conversation.

“Are you ready to go?” Miguel asked his wife, hand resting on her hip. She sighed with relief at his words.

The two of them had left the table under the guise of socializing, only to slowly make their way out onto the balcony.

"I've been ready. I hate to say it, but Marcy is working on my last nerve." Daya groaned as she remembered how Marcy kept her locked down for the past forty minutes. She had left the woman inside, and she hoped Marcy had found someone else to occupy her time.

"I don't know how many more fake bathroom breaks I could have taken before she noticed it was just to get away from her."

Miguel smirked at his flustered wife. She had a good poker face and tried to sell that nothing could face her. It was always a little entertaining to see cracks in her facade.

“I just hope this is all worth it. I have a headache from listening to everyone talk, and I can feel blisters forming on my feet.” She complained, pouting up at him.

Miguel dropped a quick kiss to her lips in apology before sparing a glance at her feet. "You don't have blisters, honey."

“You don’t have blisters, honey.”

“How do you know?”

Daya’s eyebrows raised, challenging him.

“I just do.”

“Well, how about you inspect them tonight when you’re massaging them?” She asked in a sweet tone.

Miguel laughed.

“Is that your way of asking for a foot massage?”

Daya nodded.

“Come on, loca. Let’s say our goodbyes, so we can get out of here.”

Locking hands, the couple began the slow process of trading goodbyes and promises for later dates. Another fifteen minutes later, they made it outside into the chilly night air, the California breeze kissing their skin. Daya was more than relieved to see the fleet of black SUVs that waited for them.

Nestor Oceteva stood by the truck in the middle, opening the back door for them. “Thank you, Ness.” Daya told him, accepting his help up into the vehicle.

A driver and Nestor's second-in-command and cousin, Antonio Oceteva, occupied the front seats. Daya greeted them both warmly as she crawled across the leather seats.

"I can't wait to get out of these shoes." She said to no one in particular.

With no answer, she slid across the seat to see what the hold up was. Miguel stood outside of the car, several feet away. In a heated tone, he and Nestor discussed something she couldn't make out.

Antonio turned around in his seat to stop her, hand stopping just before it touched her knee. She eyed his hesitant hand for a moment before she met his eyes. Neither of them spoke for a moment.

Antonio was all business when he gathered himself to speak. "He'll be with you shortly, Mrs. Galindo." She huffed in response.

Daya craned her neck to look out of the window once more, but it didn't do much good. From her vantage point she could see that Nestor wasn’t happy, but not much else.

"What's going on?" She asked Antonio catching his hazel eyes in the rear view mirror. He didn't look worried, and that helped to soothe her some. At the same time, she knew it could just be his military training at work.

"I'm not sure, ma'am." He spoke in an even tone, giving nothing away. She thanked him but continued to look out of the window.

Daya didn’t need to know every single gory detail, but Miguel knew she hated being left in the dark. It created distance between them and made her feel shut out.

She could almost hear her therapist telling her to slow down and think. Logically, she knew Miguel meant no harm, but it reminded her of her childhood, making her feel small and insignificant.

He found her in the backseat with her arms crossed, eyes closed, and heeled feet tapping impatiently against the floor of the car.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, mi amor.” With a simple nod, he signaled for the driver to take them to the hotel.

His warm hand found her belly, holding her there while his tongue slipped past her pouty lips into her mouth.

She responded the way he expected, melting under his touch. Soft hands cupped his face, deepening the kiss. His hands slid down to rest on the curve of her ass as she leaned into him. With each movement, Daya felt less tense. Several moments passed before they broke apart.

“What’s happening?” Daya asked, breathless from the kiss. Her eyes scanned Miguel's face for answers.

“It’s nothing you should worry yourself about.”

Miguel’s hands roamed her body, but she knew it was a distraction.

There’s a saying, “You either tell your wife everything, or nothing.”

Miguel often found himself stuck somewhere in the middle. There had been a time where he told her almost everything. Now, he operated on a need-to-know basis.

“That’s your favorite thing to say these days.” Daya said it with a smile, but her eyes told a different story.

“I didn’t mean it that way, mi alma. I just mean it’s not important enough to bother you with. I’m going to take care of it tonight, and then it’s done.”

“You’re leaving tonight?” She didn’t bother to hide that she was upset anymore.

The couple had spent the last three days in San Diego, occupying the penthouse suite of a downtown hotel. Their home was located in Santo Padre, a small border town on the outskirts of Calexico, two hours away from San Diego. Miguel had several meetings in San Diego during the week--with Tom, one of his lawyers, and the event. It just made more sense to stay in town for the week, rather than make the trek back and forth.

“I know I promised, but...yes. I have to take care of this tonight.”

The young couple had agreed to use the few days as a mini-vacation to recharge and spend quality time together. He had kept his promise so far, but she wasn’t happy their time together would be ending early.

“I understand.” Business came first. Always.

“Don’t be like that.”

“I’m not being like anything. I said it’s fine.” She pushed down the anger she felt bubbling in her chest. “Seriously, I’m not upset. There’s no point. You’re still going to do what you have to. Right?”

He nodded, watching as she checked out of the conversation. She faced the window, staring out of it at the blur of lights.

“Do you want to go home? If that will make you more comfortable, they can take you tonight.”

“No. I’m okay. I don’t want to be on the road in the dark." She told him with a grimace. "I’ll find a way to entertain myself.”

The blur of neon lights transitioned into shades of shadowy grey as they entered the parking garage of the hotel.

“Nestor’s going with me, but Antonio will be here along with…” Daya tuned out as he named the guards that would stay in San Diego with her.

“They’ll take you home in the morning.” She nodded, gathering her bearings as the driver parked.

“Will you be there?”

“I’ll try.” She was disappointed in his answer, but at least he wasn’t getting her hopes up.

Antonio opened her door, and she accepted his warm, calloused hand as she stepped out of the vehicle.

Miguel met her halfway at the back of the truck, opening his arms for a hug. She stepped into them, the smell of his signature cologne washing over her. It relaxed her, and she forced herself to enjoy the moment. She was annoyed at her husband, but she loved him and wanted to appreciate every moment with him.

“Be good.” He whispered in her ear, tone gentle, but serious.

“I can’t make any promises.”

Antonio averted his gaze, turning his back to them. Nestor and the guards followed, choosing instead to focus on different parts of the garage. There were plenty of shadows for a person to hide in, and the couple needed privacy.

Miguel’s arms tightened around her waist, squeezing to let her know he was serious.

“You heard what I said.”

Before she could get a smart response out, she felt his manhood poking against her belly. Miguel wasn’t a tyrant, but he liked to play King of the Jungle sometimes; backing her into corners, and giving her silly ultimatums that he knew she’d rebel against. It was a fun game because it elicited a carnal response in both of them to fight for dominance.

“Be good or else I’m going to have to spank this fat ass.” She gasped as his hands cupped her ass. He squeezed the fat in his hands before jiggling it.

Daya moaned quietly, pinching her plump bottom lip under her teeth.

“You’ve told me what’s behind door number one. Now, what do I get for being a good girl? ‘Cause I have to say door number one doesn’t sound so bad right now.”

He pretended to think, cocking his head to the side. “What’s the saying, ‘happy husband, happy life’?”

Daya pressed a kiss to his chin. “That’s definitely not the saying, but fine. I’ll be good, but you owe me a foot massage for skipping out early.”

“I thought I owed you one because of the heels.”

“Thanks for reminding me.” She would also have to pack his luggage for him. “Three. You’re in the hole for three foot massages, mister. I expect full payment by the end of the month. Got it?” There were plenty of people with better massage skills than her husband, but for some reason, they felt better when they came from him.

“I have no idea how you calculated three, but yes ma’am. I miss you already, conejita.”

Her arms circled his neck, pulling him for a kiss. “I miss you more."

Years of learning each other made it so they were in sync when their lips met, stoking fires in each other that wouldn't be extinguished any time soon.

“I. Love. You.” She told him in between greedy pecks. “Call me when you get a chance, ‘kay?” He nodded, understanding she meant for him to call when he reached the border. She would probably be asleep by the time he made it there, but it made her feel better when he checked in.

“I love you too.”

Entering the luxurious penthouse suite, the first thing Daya did was free herself from the designer death traps disguised as shoes.

There were plenty of amenities for her to enjoy— a jacuzzi style bathtub, and a spacious balcony with a breathtaking view of the bayfront. She intended to make the most of her time alone.

After assuring Antonio she was in for the night and wouldn't need his services, she stripped down to her birthday suit and ran a bubble bath.

The purple bottle was nearly finished from all the bubble baths she'd taken during the week. Whiffs of the lavender essential oil flowed up through her nose as she eased herself down into the rectangular tub. Powerful jets massaged her aching muscles with hot water, washing the day away.

Her hair sat in a messy bun on top of her head, loose strands clinging to her neck. Sweat beaded on her forehead and her hair puffed up with frizz, but she didn't let it bother her.

Old school R&B played on her phone. She could barely hear it over the sound of the jets, but she crooned right along with the singer enthusiastically.

Eventually, the water was too cool to stand and she was forced to get out. With wrinkled palms, she dried herself off with the fluffy white towel.

Wrapping it around her midsection, she settled into the low chair of the vanity. It took some time, but she carefully removed her makeup and moisturized her skin.

Staring at herself in the mirror without all the bells and whistles was always a little humbling. It felt dramatic, like she was in a cheesy coming of age movie or something, but it was eye-opening. So much of her time was spent pretending for others—dressing her body up, and her personality down.

The exclusive parties and expensive accessories were fun, but they weren't everything. Most people that came across her thought she was superficial, but in reality, she was the opposite. She would never be able to convince them otherwise and that was fine.

The people that knew her understood her, and that was all that mattered. She had a close-knit, but complicated relationship with her friend group. Most of them had known each other for years, so there were layers to their relationships.

Daya, her very best friend, Ariel Castillo, and Ezekiel Reyes made up the core group.

The three of them met freshman year when Daya moved to Santo Padre. Along with the pressures of going to a new school, she had to deal with being the small fry in a group of big fish. Ariel and Ezekiel had been there to make the experience bearable. They connected through honor classes and bonded over their shared desire to go somewhere else, and be someone different.

Miraculously, all of them ended up stuck in Santo Padre.

Ariel received a full-ride scholarship to UCLA. She made it through the first year and a half, completing all her core courses, but then her father got sick. She came home to take care of him, but couldn't bring herself to leave again when he got better. So she settled, forgot her dreams of being a surgeon, and went to nursing school. Ariel was great at her job, the best Santo Padre Medical had to offer, but it hadn't been her dream.

Ezekiel hadn't even made it through his first year of college when his mother was shot and killed in his father's store. Her unexpected death made him spiral, sending him on a witch hunt to find out who was responsible. One thing led to another and he made a fatal mistake that ended him up in prison for eight years.

Daya never left Santo Padre for college. She was good with academics in high school, but always had a passion for art. Her mother didn't have any money to put towards college, and she wasn't particularly excited about spending another four years in school. So, she did what she was good at, designing web pages for business owners around Santo Padre. 

It didn't pay great, but it allowed her to make connections. People were impressed with her work and shared it with their friends and partners. With a stroke of good luck, she was able to form the connections and save the money to start her own web development and design company. In thirteen years' time, she expanded the business across California from Santo Padre to Los Angeles, becoming one of the most popular and successful in its industry. Daya had touched more money than she ever thought possible.

She had traveled for a while, creating new stations took time and a lot of energy. In between, she went on trips out of the country, learning about new cultures and customs. It was hard to do with a growing business, but the experiences were worth it.

Eventually, she met Miguel, a kindred spirit who wished to be anywhere but Santo Padre. It was ironic that it was the very place they were both forced to settle. Miguel out of duty, Daya out of love and stability.

People came to Santo Padre from the north, south, east, and west.  From Northern Cali, Arizona, or Mexico. The quaint town was like a vortex, drawing people towards it from all sides. Most were smart enough to pass through, but those that stopped stayed forever.

GENERAL TAGLIST:

@woahitslucyylu @briannab1234 @sheeshgivemeabreak @breakingnewsin-no-oneasked @angelreyesgirl @blessedboo @glimmerglittergirl @apantherinmypastlife @brownsugarcoffy @marvelmaree @starrynite7114 @scuzmunkie @thewarriorprincessxo @ifoundmyhappythought @sadeyesgf @pearlkitten33 @imanerdychubbyqueen @literaturefeen @thesandbeneathmytoes

“DEARLY DEPARTED” TAGLIST:

@buttercup812 @princesscornbread @oa-zidan @tian-monique​ @lovebennycolon @aria725​

[trillian-anders]

first blood

pairing: ransom drysdale x reader

warnings:  angst, general asshole-ness.

word count: 4.6k  

description: part 3 of 5. how did you become ransom’s glorified babysitter? and why the fuck are you keeping this job? who knows. you hate it, you hate him, but... the money. 

note: tumblr is being super shitty rn so I can only post on mobile, but I really wanted to get this off my desk! will add a read more and properly link later 💕

prequel to the assistant && four christmases, spoiler free loves. 

You have to do this.

You have to do this.

You have to do this.

You don’t think your eyes will ever feel normal again. They were dry and scratchy. There were no more tears to shed. You’d buried your Mom two months ago, but you didn’t know how it would ever feel okay. She did everything for you and Julia. Everything. She worked hard, made pretty good money, allowed you to have a part time job and just focus on school. Julia was in this really nice private school, she played the cello now for fucks sake. She had friends and was talking about maybe starting soccer soon, but after funeral costs and your sister’s tuition the life insurance money was running out.

You had to sell the house.

You’d moved the two of you into a small apartment right outside of Chinatown. Not the safest area, but not the most unsafe either. You’d be fine. You had each other, and she needed you to do this. You had to do this.

For her.

You sat uncomfortably in the cheap office chair, sitting across from a woman with too many papers on her desk, everything sloppily arranged around a couple of potted succulents and a framed picture of her and her three kids, no spouse.

“So your last job was in tutoring?” She asked you. You shifted nervously in your seat, nodding your head,

“Yeah, I tutored a high school student in English and Math.” You needed some water. The cheap pencil skirt and blouse you were wearing made your skin itch. She types into her computer some more.

“So why are you here?” She asked, “Why not continue tutoring?” A few more clicks and then more typing.

“The family I worked for paid me pretty well,” You admitted, “But she’s graduating this year and they didn’t need me anymore, I don’t really,” You cleared your throat, “I don’t really have much job experience outside of that and I need to start making money now… I’ve put out job applications but haven’t really gotten any luck.” Not with the income you needed anyway. The woman nodded. The plaque on her desk said her name is Stacy Chandler.

“Alright, here you are.” A printed page, address, date, and time. A job. Clerical work. Data entry. You have to do this...

-

“How was your last day of school?” Julia sat heavily at the kitchen table, backpack slumped on the floor next to her. She buried her face in her arms.

“I’m never going again.” Came muffled from her mouth. She lifted her head to look at you. The beginnings of puberty. You’d recently gone bra shopping for the first time. Real ones, no more training bras. You’d recently taken her to the dermatologist for her acne, but she’s not good at remembering to put on the expensive creams you bought. What a hard time. You don’t envy her.

“Luckily for you,” You smiled, placing a fudgy brownie in front of her, “You don’t have to go back for three whole months!” She rolled her eyes heavily, taking the brownie and disappearing into her room presumably to sit on her computer until dinner.

She was feeling the absence of your Mother just as you were. You weren’t sure what to do here. You loved your sister and you know she loves you too, but in the last few months it’s just been closed doors and a few parting sentences. Only because you had to work so much. Only because she spent a lot of time at friend’s houses where you’d think she would feel normal for a while. It would help ease the burden of being in your mid-twenties and suddenly feeling like a single mother. Of course you can sleep over at Mila’s house, her family is going to their cabin for the weekend of course you can go!

You didn’t know what to do other than keeping her in school and alive. You weren’t ready for this. But the only other option was your estranged aunt who reeked of mothballs and was constantly asking you if you were married, or dating, or ‘You’re Mother wouldn’t have wanted this’. No. It was very clear that your Mom wanted the two of you to stay together, and that’s how it’s going to be.

This summer she was going to spend with her friend Mila at their family’s lake house. Mila’s mother was a stay at home mom with six kids under the age of 12 and would be planning to spend the summer pintresting activities and projects with them while simultaneously getting out of her stuffy-old 10 bedroom, 8 bathroom mansion. Lucky her. Lucky Julia.

The apartment would be empty without the 12-year-old pre-teen for three months, but Julia has really been looking forward to it. Her bags were packed and ready by the door.

You hugged her tightly in front of Mila’s house, burying your face in her hair, partially not wanting her to go, but otherwise knowing that she’s going to have a better time than you could ever provide her. “Okay, you can let me go now.” She shifted in your arms, trying to pull away.

“Just another minute.” You mumbled, pulling her in tighter. “I’m gonna miss you.” She laughed,

“I’m gonna miss you too.” The two of you pulled apart and you tucked her hair behind her ears, cupping her sweet face.

“I love you,” You said very seriously, “If you ever want to come home just-”

“I’ll let you know.” She was getting impatient, the car Mila’s mom was taking to the lake house, a beautifully large black Range Rover sat packed next to you, they were waiting. “I love you too.” She slowly backed away towards the car.

“If she gets homesick, my husband still comes back every week for work so he can bring her home if need be,” Andrea was her name, Mila’s Mom. “She’ll be fine.” Andy was really nice. She made a lot of the food the two of you had eaten in the early days after your Mom’s death. Her gentle reassurance soothed you slightly. It made driving away a little easier, but it didn’t stop the tears that fell as you entered your apartment, alone. For the first time in a while. You didn’t have to hold it in anymore.

You sunk down against your front door, staring out into your living room, tears rolling down your cheeks in the silence of the home. Dirty shoes lined up against the wall, throw blanket hanging halfway off the couch, dirty dishes from breakfast still in the sink, and somewhere you’re sure under all of it was the will to pick yourself back up.

You just didn’t know if you were ready for that quite yet.

But you did it anyway.

More clerical work. More data entry. More bills going half paid and others being ignored all together. Student loans you didn’t even want to think about from a school where you hadn’t even graduated. Medical bills you didn’t even know where to begin paying back, itchy stockings, and uncomfortable shoes. With every day that passed you reexamined your life. How did you get here?

A new job, a new office. Temp assigned, but you knew who worked here. The building that housed it stood tall against the Boston skyline. Contemporary. You sat comfortably in a cushy office chair. The plaque on the desk read Linda Drysdale, CEO. And you waited.

You hadn’t seen the Thrombey’s, let alone the Drysdale branch of the family, for five months. Zero contact. Joni had talked to you last, thanking you for helping Meg, but also trying to sell you eye cream. “You really should invest in taking better care of yourself.” Which was her kind way of trying to tell you that you look old. Thanks.

You couldn’t imagine what Linda would want you for. You’d been doing some filing, they were transferring all of their documents to digital and hired extra help to do so, you were one of three hired from your particular temp agency, but yesterday she had called you personally and asked you to come in for an appointment today at 3 pm. And here you are.

Waiting.

There was a portrait of her family on the wall. Linda herself sitting in a high backed intricate chair, her husband Richard standing to her right, and to her left was her son, Hugh. He went by his middle name Ransom. They were stone faced, serious looking. This painting seemed ridiculous. If you didn’t know the Thrombey’s you’d think it was there to be ironic, as a joke, a play on what rich families were like.

But they were a rich family, and this is what they were like.

Linda was self-serving. She only ever talked to you when it suited her own interests and as soon as she was satisfied she would quickly direct her attention somewhere else, to someone more important. She used you to get what she wanted and when you served her purpose you were gone. She had no time for anyone, only her father. Anything for Harlan.

Richard was a predator. He was always making an uncomfortable comment about either your body or your face. He stood uncomfortably close at times and liked to settle a hand on the small of your back. He was a well kept man, throwing his wife’s money around like it was his own. He kept a money clip of hundreds in his pocket.

Ransom was a piece of shit. He was a self-centered egotistical asshole who was sure to make your life a living hell every time he saw you. There was always a comment, a jab at your clothes, your hair, the fact that you are poor. He once ‘accidentally’ threw your cardigan away because, “I thought it was one of those fucking rags you dust with, I didn’t want it touching my burberry.” He, like his father, felt predatory. Something about being a rich white man just really got them going, and the money clip with the hundreds… a learned habit.

“Alright,” Linda’s voice came from the doorway, you turned slightly in your seat. She was on the phone, “Well we will send Michael out to show them the properties instead, I’m sure we’ll find something they like.” She gave you a finger, hold on, even though you’d been sitting here patiently waiting for her for close to twenty minutes now. “Okay,” She continued, “Sounds good.” Sitting down in her chair, tapping a few keys to illuminate her computer screen. “Alright now, bye-bye.” She took her phone from her ear, looking down at the screen before placing it face down on the desk and smiling at you.

You knew that smile. She wanted something.

“So, Y/N right?” You nodded, “I see you’re looking for work.”

“Well, I’m with a temp agency right now but-”

“Would you like something a little more permanent?” A permanent job? The Thrombey’s had paid you very well to tutor Meg, better than you were making now. Granted you had only worked 15 hours a week when you were tutoring her, so $20 an hour didn’t seem like that big of a deal, but if they were looking for something, anything full time…

“Absolutely,” You smiled, shifting in your seat, “I’ve had trouble being hired because my-”

“Okay so you’re going to need Ransom’s number, and you’ll start tomorrow.” Your smile dropped.

“Ransom needs a tutor?” You asked skeptically. She laughed.

“No, he needs an assistant.” She gestured towards herself, “I can’t keep telling him when or where to be for family events and he has a fairly active social life so I’m gifting him an assistant for his birthday.” Oh.

“I uhm,” You really didn’t want to work for Ransom. You REALLY didn’t want to work for Ransom. “How much would it…?” You trailed off nervously.

“My father paid you $20 an hour to tutor Meg, yes?” She asked, typing something into her computer, no longer looking at you.

“Yes, he did.” You moved trying to see what she was typing without bringing too much attention to it. She was drafting an email.

“So I’ll pay you the same. Ransom will set hours for you and decide what days of the week he’ll need you and what else he wants you to do,” She waved her hand dismissively, “Cleaning, cooking, whatever.” She scribbled on a post-it before peeling and handing it to you. “Here’s his number and address, you can go over the particulars of your job tomorrow morning.” You opened your mouth to speak again, ask her the million and one questions you have but before you could say anything she dismissed you, “That is all.” She said. And she was done with you.

She got what she wanted. And now she wanted you to leave.

So you did.

“Well,” He grinned, “Linda really scooped you up from the bottom of the barrel, huh?” You stood on Ransom’s front porch. The only texts you sent and received last night were ‘What time do you need me to be there?’ and an hour later the reply of ‘11’. The scumbag was standing in the doorway, leant against the frame, looking down on you. In more than one way.

“Can I come in?” You asked. You really didn’t want to do this. But a $12 an hour temp job versus $20 hour stability… hard to beat. He smirked, pushing off the frame before looking you up and down, turning to disappear into the house.

“Take off your shoes.” What a fucking joke. His house was a mess. Clothes thrown haphazardly around, a pile of dishes not in the sink, but on the counter. Abandoned cups, tv was rolling on in the background, some political documentary. The house, while contemporary and clean, well kept on the outside. The inside looked like a frat house during rush week. You didn’t want to take off your shoes in fear that you’d step in vomit or something worse.

He grinned off to the side, “Had some people over last night.” He explained, drinking what looked like orange juice from a coffee mug. The vodka bottle that was capless on the counter led you to believe that orange juice wasn’t the only thing in the cup. “You can start by cleaning up.” He gestured around, sinking back down into the sofa. “I’m sure I’ll think of something else you can do when you’re done.” The fucking prick.

You shut the door a little heavier than intended, slipping your sneakers off and placing them by the door. “You’ve got a laundry room?” You asked, he didn’t look away from the television,

“Basement.” And he was done with you too. The tone was very, don’t talk to me. Which honestly you were grateful for.

You cleaned up his messes, the red solo cups that littered almost every surface in every room, laundry was running in the basement, dishwasher working hard to sanitize the first round of plates and cups that could fit, the others waiting patiently in the sink as you wipe counters and dusted picture frames, the thick film of unappreciation. He didn’t care about his house, his furniture, the art that cost more than your apartment that lined his walls. His clothes, while having an extensive closet, some were threadbare and with holes.

He didn’t care.

And it made you angry.

You thought of the furniture you were able to keep from your Mother’s house, well oiled and kept. No scratches. The fabrics of the couches and chairs carefully cleaned and maintained.

His sheets were stained and you were unsure when the last time he had washed them actually was. The dampness made you gag. It wasn’t long before you were cleaning under his feet. His ankles crossed and feet resting on the coffee table as you straightened the area around him. You felt his eyes on you, briefly, but ignored it.

“Do you have any real clothes?” He asked suddenly. He stood from the sofa, rounding it to pull the vodka bottle back out from the cabinet you’d placed it in, pouring heavily into the coffee mug before leaving the bottle and the orange juice carton he followed with next to it.

“These are real clothes.” You stated, coming behind him to put the items away. He scoffed,

“I’m important,” He claimed, “I go to parties, events.” He took a large mouthful of the screwdriver he’d just made, “You can’t wear clothes like that if you’re gonna be babysitting me the whole time.” You rolled your eyes,

“I don’t have to go. You set my hours, I don’t-”

“As much as I love the whole, ‘I’m poor and don’t care what I look like’, thing you have going on,” Ransom laughed, “You’re gonna be around me, and as a reflection of me, you need to look presentable.” He gestured to the demin shorts a t-shirt you were currently wearing, mismatched socks on your feet. You felt your face flush. “And slap a little makeup on.” You rolled your eyes at that. Fucking dick. He smirked when you didn’t reply, turning back around to leave you and disappeared upstairs.

He didn’t come down for a while. In that time you’d finished cleaning the living area, the house looking a complete 180 from where it had been when you’d originally entered, it was nearing dinner time. Your stomach was growling and you’d realized you had been cleaning for five hours without stopping.

You didn’t get to enjoy the sense of accomplishment because Ransom came down the stairs not a moment later, dressed for his evening. If you didn’t hate him so much you’d drool. He looked good. Patterned slacks, chelsea boots, a lightweight white button down, blazer over one arm. “Let’s go.” He said, not stopping on his way towards the front door.

“Where are we going?” You felt gross, covered in grime from cleaning, sweat dried on your skin you knew you probably didn’t smell amazing, hair frizzed up in a bun. He didn’t answer you, continuing outside. You sighed heavily, throwing the pair of socks you’d just matched back into the laundry basket before slipping your shoes on and following him outside.

“C’mon!” He yelled from the front seat of his beamer, sunglasses on his nose, he was annoyed with you. Whatever. You sat heavily in his passenger seat, the dickwad not even giving you time to close the door before he was speeding down the driveway.

“Where are we going?” You asked again. One hand on the wheel, the other’s fingertips brushing against his lower lip he looked at you from behind his sunglasses.

“To dinner.” He smirked, looking back towards the road as you merged onto the interstate.

He was a fucking asshole. If you hadn’t thought he was before you definitely knew now. You were surprised the hostess even let you into this place. It was expensive, and you were very, very underdressed. Point taken Ransom. Thank you. Fucking prick.

He took glances at you ever so often, seated a few feet away from him at the long banquet style table that housed all of his ‘friends.’ Gorgeous women and equally as gorgeous men who had money to burn. You weren’t sure any of these people have ever worked a day in their life, much like Ransom himself. You’d met a few of them before, briefly, when Ransom would show up and ask Harlan for money before disappearing for a week, one or two of them would be in tow bragging about going on some guy’s yacht or flying out to some private island.

Regardless, they weren’t talking to you. You were a strange interloper, easily ignored, but only after a few poked fun at the stray dog at Ransom’s heels. It only stung a little bit when he laughed with them. You were wildly uncomfortable. You poked at your deconstructed salad, the little bits lined neatly up on the plate, a smear of salad dressing beside it. This menu was ridiculous. Why were you here again? You were so hungry and this was not your speed at all. Ransom’s booming laugh met your ears and you could feel the anger rising in your chest.

Fucking asshole. You hoped he would choke on one of the olives in his martini. His eyes met yours momentarily and he smirked. He fucking smirked, cheersing you with his martini before it met his lips again. You could kill him right now.

The money.

The money.

Technically you were still working. As the sun set behind the horizon. You’d been at work, technically, for about 10 hours. That’s $200. Okay, you can do this. You can do this.

You know he did this to embarass you. He made it clear when you’d pull up to the restaurant to give you a taunting look. Whether the dinner was already planned or he had planned it after the conversation about clothes and makeup earlier was anyone’s guess. You had the feeling it was the latter.

He’d paid the bill after all.

The entirety of it.

You’d wished you’d ordered more.

Afterward a giggling girl took your place in the front seat, you glared at the back of her head from the back seat,

“Ransom.” She whined, leaning over in her seat to press her lips to his neck, “I want you to fuck me.” Lips around his ear, sucking the lobe into her mouth. You shifted your gaze to the window, the city landscape passing your eyes as you’d pulled into another valet parking, a bar this time. A nice one.

Ransom and the bubbly girl from the car ride over slipped hastily into the bathroom, he’d sent you a dark look before leaving you to your own devices. Looking over the cocktail list while sitting uncomfortably on a bar stool while your boss was fucking a girl who’d laughed at you for being a ‘dog’ earlier in the bathroom of a bar that had a $20 old fashioned and their most expensive wine came with a thousand dollar price tag.

“You lost?” Another smirking asshole, sidled up next to you at the bar as you took a sip from the beautifully balanced old fashioned you’d tacked onto Ransom’s tab. He was handsome, the guy bothering you, almost everyone in this room was handsome. The lights low and romantic, candles on every table and across the bar, soft music played from the piano across the room where a man sat gently stroking the melodies to create the ambiance of the room. Close, cozy, romantic, and dark enough to forget yourself in.

“Oh c’mon honey.” The man slipped onto the barstool, thighs spread wide around you as you face away from him, his hand meeting your back. “I can help you find what you’re looking for.” His breath reeked of alcohol. You glanced over at him,

“I’m fine thank you.” Another sip, damn this drink was good. He chuckled, moving in closer, drifting a hand down to your thigh.

“Don’t be like that.” He laughed, “You obviously don’t belong here honey.” His hand traced your bare thigh, “You’ve gotta be wanting some company.”

Ransom had returned face flushed and you could almost see a tiny bit of white on his nose, but it was quickly rubbed away. He sat on the opposite end of the bar, the girl from earlier taking his lap. He looked down at you briefly, he had to have seen how uncomfortable you were, how this guy was breathing down your neck. He ignored it, ordering a drink from the bartender.

“I don’t want any company,” You shoved the man’s hand away, “Have a great night.” He leaned back in his seat, downing his drink before leaning back over to put his face in yours.

“Fucking ugly bitch.” He spat, standing from the stool, “Tryna give you a little charity here, you could've at least been grateful.” You wanted to leave. He shoved your shoulder slightly as he walked away from you, no doubt going to bother some other unsuspecting woman in his radius.

You needed some air, taking the last sip of your drink you’d scooted back from the bar, walking by Ransom to take your exit, walking out into the summer night. It was early summer. It was still only 60 at night. A chill went through you. You hadn’t expected to be out so late, the comfortable denim shorts and old ratty t shirt you’d chosen to wear had obviously been a mistake for this day. Ransom made sure to make you see that.

The bar was on the harbor, and it brought in a breeze that caused goosebumps to rise on your skin. You checked your phone, the battery almost dead. Julia had been texting you periodically, but not as much as you would have liked. You scrolled through the most recent messages, you asking how her trip was going and what she was up to and her stilted replies. She was busy you supposed. She didn’t need you, but right now you really needed her.

This night has been a massive blow to your self-esteem. You’d never felt more ugly and unwanted in your life. You just wanted to go home, but Ransom wasn’t done yet. You looked at him from the window, his fingers were gone between that girl’s thighs, they were both drinking expensive cocktails, completely oblivious to you.

He’d watched you exit, not giving it much thought it seemed, because he hadn’t made any motion to bring the night to a close, but you weren’t really expecting him to. It was Ransom’s world and you were just living in it. You worked for him. And you wondered if this is how every day is going to be from here on out. You really don’t know if you could do this forever, but you knew you didn’t want to go back inside.

So you didn’t.

Thankfully Ransom stumbled out about thirty minutes later, girl from earlier on his arm. “Let’s go.” He said. Valet pulling the beamer around he threw you the keys, “Take me home.”

He sunk down in the back seat, high and drunk. His words almost incoherent. Her’s were no better. They sloppily attacked each other in the back seat, indecently. And you were pointedly looking anywhere but in the rearview. Soft grunts and moans made you uncomfortable for the fourth time that night. Your skin crawling in unease as the girl’s giggles turned into breathy moans. Your foot sunk against the gas pedal in hopes you’d get back to his home faster, tears welling up in your eyes. The cry on the way home was going to be so good. So cathartic.

The gravel crunching against the wheels of the car was a sweet relief, so was the haste in which you left the keys in the car, running and skipped to your own car. His eyes met yours through the darkness as he was leant up against his car door, slacks loose around his hips, the girl’s lips attached to his neck as her hand worked quickly between his thighs. He smirked, waving a sarcastic ‘good-bye’. You turned your eyes to the road, cranking up the radio as you began to cry.

You didn’t want to do this anymore.

A text came through right as you finally laid down in your own bed, snuggling into the covers, ready to forget the night.

See you at 9.

.

.

.

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[tumbledfreckles]

Closer

A Blackinnon Bridgerton AU

Read below or on AO3

"Stare into my eyes."

She looked up in apprehension. Caught on his eyes and held there, like a fly in a web. They were soft now, gentle. Like he was trying to prevent her from spooking. She did her best to block out the noise of the ballroom, the revel makers, the dancers around them.

As if she could forget that everyone was staring at them.

He squeezed the hand he held. A light pressure on her fingers she wouldn't have thought him capable of when they had first met. Only a short number of weeks ago, in the presence of her childhood friend, his now brother. A smile graced his lips, one of encouragement, meant only for her. She followed the motion of his eyes and curtsied as he bowed.

"Closer."

The hand on her waist made her breath catch in her throat. Her hand fell to the crook of his elbow, before sliding up to his shoulder. He pulled her toward him, until she was against him, so close the heat of his body scorched through her dress. She'd never been this close to a man before.

"If this is to work, they must believe that we are madly in love."

His words reminded her that this was a ruse. An act. A game of make believe with the highest of stakes, her future life.

As they started through the moves of the dance, her head was swarmed with the memories of less than an hour before. Memories of fear and revulsion, followed by anger and apprehension, and then, in the unlikeliest of forms, came hope.

He had happened upon her moments after she'd punched Lockhart, straight in the face, for trying to force himself on her. In the dark of the garden she'd only had time to thank her lucky stars her brothers had taught her how to hit someone properly, and that she hadn't broken her thumb.

She hadn't had a chance to even contemplate the precariousness of her situation when he emerged from the darkness.

"Bravo. He had that one coming to him."

Sirius Black. The Duke of Grimmauld.

The handsome rake who hadn't been seen for years. The untimely death and disappearance of his brother, rumoured to be linked to the rise of Lord Voldemort, had seen the Duke, then still a teenager, flee overseas some years ago. The passing of his father, the transfer of the title, had seen his reluctant return. He had begrudgingly taken over management of the estates and land attached to the Dukedom but had yet to be seen in the presence of his family.

Tonight Marlene had found out why.

"Are you alright?"

Marlene was staring down at the unconscious buffoon at her feet, still not processing the events of the last few minutes.

An argument with her childhood friend turned guardian, a misplaced agreement to marry said buffoon, the eyes of the party guests on her had sent Marlene out in the garden. She had wanted a few moments alone. To gather her thoughts, regain her countenance, come up with a plan to quietly extract herself from a less than desirable engagement.

Now she stood, mere moments from the darkest part of the garden, seconds from ruining her reputation with two men.

"I am fine. Just fine. Oh God, what am I going to do?"

"Marry me, Miss McKinnon," the perhaps not quite unconscious Lord Gilderoy Lockhart groaned from the ground.

"Romantic, I am sure," the Duke curled his lip in disgust. "I hope you have not said yes."

"Of course not," Marlene spat the answer, as she rubbed her knuckles.

"Oh good. Can I kick him then?"

"Do whatever you would like. I need to figure out what I am going to do," Marlene paced back and forth, wringing her hands.

"It can not be all that bad," the Duke may have given Lockhart a few nudges with his toe, based on the sounds that came from the ground.

"Says a man who does not need to find a husband."

"Thankfully no, I do not. But I can not imagine that you would have such trouble, a beautiful woman such as yourself."

"I was not having any trouble, at all," Marlene tried to ignore the flush creeping up her neck and into her cheeks at his words. He'd stated it more like a fact than a compliment. She shouldn't let it get to her head. "Until that damn Lady Bettledown started spreading her ridiculous gossip sheet around."

"Ah, yes. I have seen that devil of a woman all but pronouncing you a spinster, taking joy in knocking down the season prize diamond. Chased your suitors away, has she?"

"I beg that you would not jest, Your Grace. At least not about my life. Which is what she trifles with."

"You seem too sensible a woman to care for marriage so much."

"My family is gone, I am the last of the McKinnons. But a woman can not inherit property, nor wealth. Friends, the Potters, as you well know, have taken me in out of the goodness of their heart. But that can not last forever. I can not be a burden to my friends. And so I must marry."

"How practical."

"Indeed," she took a breath. In for a penny, she thought. "But if I must marry, I want the one thing that my parents had."

"A fancy wedding?"

"Love," her sharp reply pulled the laughter from his words, his face. "I want to marry for love. It is my life after all. So I beg that you do not jest with it."

"My apologies, Miss. I do tend to use humour as a reflex. But, regrettably, Bettledown's words have been a damn thorn in my side, as well."

"Surely a Duke such as yourself does not need to bother with what is written about him in the gossip sheets," Marlene's disbelief carried a strong note of sarcasm.

"My dear Miss McKinnon, I despise to tell you that the meddling Bettledown has all but issued a challenge to my family. By announcing my return to polite society, she has all but challenged them to find me a wife. One who is suitable for their needs."

"And what are their needs?"

"Someone who shares their beliefs. Beliefs that I do not adhere to. Beliefs that I am, in fact, disgusted by. They think that if I was wed to someone who follows their way of life, then they would convince me to change my ideals, to theirs."

"Are they right? Could that happen?"

The Duke laughed bitterly, "Definitely not. I have too strong a character to be changed by a woman."

"Of course," though he oozed charm, and was undoubtedly handsome, the cool dismissal of a woman as someone to listen to turned Marlene off him. Or it would have, had she ever even considered him a prospect.

"Well," she took several steps backwards, towards the ballroom and the party that had suffocated her. "I would appreciate it if you could mention this no one, and I will leave you to your… whatever it was that you were doing."

She turned to go, eager to escape, to forget that the man she might yet still have to marry lay prostrate on the floor, yet to rouse fully. It was only as she placed a foot onto the first step up to the manor that his voice stopped her.

"We could use each other, you know," the Dukes's voice was careful. Considered.

Marlene turned back, slow, hesitant. "What do you mean?"

"You need to find a husband. Someone much more agreeable and suited to you than this pathetic sod," he aimed another kick toward the lifeless Lockhart.

"How could you help with that?"

He was on her in three long strides. She stiffened as he stepped into her space. Closer than was proper. Close enough that anyone entering the garden would assume the worst and she would be compromised. Her virtue, her value, diminished.

And yet, she did not step back.

"I could make you seem desirable," the Duke reached out, softly tucking a lock that had come free from her coiffed hair back behind her ear. "If you were on my arm, it would bring you to the attention of other men. You could have your pick of the most eligible bachelors."

Marlene tried not exhale audibly as his hand dropped from where it had caressed her skin, his fingertips trailing across her neck. "And how could I help you?"

"You are from an old family, Miss McKinnon. While you may be the last left of them, and the man my family sees as their leader is most likely responsible for that, you are still from an old family that in many ways represents what they value."

"I would never - I could never," Marlene was stopped by his placating hand on her wrist.

"I know," he stroked gently. "And that is why I know I can trust you in this. Why you can trust me. If I knew nothing else about you, your disdain for the values that my family holds most dear would be enough."

She stared at him for long moments, trying to read his indecipherable gaze. Eventually, she nodded for him to continue.

"By courting you, my family will believe I am bending to their will. By beginning a relationship with you, I will get what I desperately crave."

"And what is that?" Marlene felt her teeth sink into her lip at the end of her words. His eyes followed the movement. She was nervous for his answer. What could a man like the Duke want so badly he would come up with a such a scheme?

"Freedom," the word fell from his lips like honey. He spoke it reverently. Honestly.

She believed him.

"So, your plan is that we will form an attachment? We will pretend to court, in order to give you the space and peace that you so desire, and in doing so, make me desirable enough that I could attract the attentions of a Prince, should one appear?"

"That is my plan. I only have one condition," the Duke's lips curved into a smile. It spoke of mischief, of humour that was kept well hidden under his usually dark, disdainful countenance.

"And what is that?"

"You must not fall in love with me."

He was goading her. Marlene could see it plainly across his face. It made his eyes dance. She fought to maintain her temper. To wipe the smug look off his face.

"I am more concerned that you will fall in love with me. You have already commented on how pretty you find me."

She succeeded in her mission, the smirk was gone, but the darker flare in his eyes left her feeling even less safe than she had before.

"I believe I said you were beautiful," his tone sent a shiver down her spine. "So we have an agreement?"

He held out his hand toward her. She looked at it and then looked back at him.

"Yes," she placed her hand in his. "We have an agreement."

That was how she'd come to re-enter the party on the Duke's arm. How they walked slowly, but purposefully through the throngs of finely dressed attendees to the dance floor, just as the band moved to strike up a new number. Whispers and nudges followed them across the room. Marlene was unused to such attention and would have stumbled if not for the Duke's reassuring presence at her side.

And so they danced. Stepping and skipping perfectly as if this wasn’t their first dance together. Eyes only on each other. Her hand gripped his shoulder, fingers pressing into the firm muscle she found there. His hands, one warm and solid on her waist, the other enclosing hers were her lifeline. Every time she felt overwhelmed and her gaze started to slip, he brought her back with a squeeze, his thumb rubbing back and forth.

The music swelled and then slowed, as did their movements. When they came to a stop, instead of moving back, as protocol dictated and society expected, he moved forward. His lips fell to her ear, so close she could feel his breath as he spoke.

"Well done, Miss McKinnon. Act one complete."

[saraadvocates]

Family Lawyers in Dubai

Sara Advocates and Legal Consultants also provide many services specially related to the Family Laws relative to the Dubai Law Firms system. Ever family had some problems and sometimes it comes to a point where one needs real assistance regarding the separation rules and code of conduct. For this purpose, you have Family Lawyers in Dubai.  We will help you whatever you need from our legal experts.

You can consult the legal team of Sara Advocates, if you have any issue regarding your family issues. When it comes to the family, a lot of issues came out such as:

Child Custody

Transfer of Property from Parents especially from Father Side,

Divorce and Custody

Monthly Expenses of Child after Divorce etc.

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Separation is seldom simple, however it can get significantly more confounded if there’s a question about the identification of your child’s father. For this purpose, the Family Lawyers in Dubai and UAE is provided by Sara Law Advocates. Take in more about the way toward building up paternity. For an assortment of reasons, it’s essential to set up the identification of your kid’s natural father. By having a DNA test done, we can demonstrate paternity issues easily.

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There are some questions suggested by Family Lawyers in Dubai of Sara Law firm which should be asked by every parent in case of separation:

Changing a Child Visitation Schedule using our Family Lawyers in Dubai.

What will you do if you don’t have the custody of your Rightful Property which should be Yours after your parent’s death?

Are Internet visits calculated against my visitation time?

Can visitation be left without to a non-custodial parent?

If child support is not paid, must visitation be allowed?

My ex wants to relocate with our daughter to California. Can I ask the court to require Internet visits as a condition to have the child be relocated?

My ex-wife lives in a different place with our children. In which court do I file for a custody change?

What Happens to a Husband’s Rights if He’s Not the Father?

What does “frustration of child visitation rights” mean?

What is a visitation exchange? Ask Family Lawyers in Dubai.

Sara advocates Family Lawyers in Dubai & UAE is the answer to all these questions. All the Legal laws and relative Family and Custody Lawyers have been provided with a proper proficiency in the related fields. Our legal advisor’s inhabitant in Dubai have huge and generous universal involvement in family issues. You are free to ask anything from our Family Lawyers in Dubai

If all else fails about the most ideal approach to ask for an adjustment in appearance, the Sara Advocates, address a kid care lawyer in your general vicinity about your individual conditions from its Family Lawyers in Dubai department. All this will be done by Sara Law firm and its Advocates will guide you in the right direction. Please Contact us if you have any of the above mentioned issues.

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