Four days later, just as I was preparing to leave for work from Mallory’s apartment in Wicker Park, I received a call from Whitman Legal Group. The attorney, Harold Whitman, said, “Ms. Monroe, you need to come in regarding Theodore Gallagher’s estate.”
Confused, I replied, “I am no longer married to Preston,” and he answered, “That is precisely why your presence is required.” That evening I walked into the office on North Michigan Avenue and saw Preston standing pale beside his great aunt, Lorraine Dawson, who watched him with disappointment.
Harold Whitman read the will aloud and explained that all assets would go to Preston only if he remained legally married to me for one full year after Theodore’s death. He then continued, “If the marriage is dissolved before that period ends, the entire estate transfers to Eliza Monroe in recognition of her character.”
Preston stared at the attorney and shouted, “That is impossible,” but Lorraine said quietly, “Your grandfather saw how you treated her when he visited two years ago.” The attorney confirmed that Preston had filed and finalized the divorce the day before, which meant the condition had been broken.