Inheritance Nora Roberts Book 2 Novels & Stories

her voice was low, almost trembling. Rebecca stepped forward. “My mother is gone. That means I’m the sole heir to the Castillo estate. Everything you’ve been enjoying will now be mine.” Rebecca’s uncle cleared his throat nervously. “But you’ve never been interested in any of that, Rebecca…” “I used to be,” Rebecca cut in. “But now it’s different. I’m sick of being a victim. I want to take back what should be mine. And you… better not interfere.” Nora laughed sarcastically. “Your mother’s been dead for just one day, and you’re already talking about the inheritance?”

“I can do this. It’s fine. A power boost to help make everything right. It’s okay.” Quickly, she reached out and grabbed hold of the ancient book. Nora clutched it to her chest and smiled. She turned to look at Winter and Roman. “I did it!” she exclaimed. “I totally did it!” “Awesome!” Winter said, smiling. “But wait. Somethings not right.” “What do you mean?” Nora asked. “The book isn’t glowing. Normally, when someone from the family touches it, the book glows.” Nora raised an eyebrow. “Maybe it’s broken?”

Her hands clenched. “He never married her,” she continued. “Not before I was born. Not after. Not ever. And when she died, he erased her like a failed experiment.” I remembered the note. The blood. The way Nina’s hand shook. Nora stepped closer. “I know my father killed her,” she said. The room went still. “I don’t have proof,” she admitted. “But I do have instinct. And instinct is the only inheritance he gave me.” Milo took a step forward. “You’re accusing—”

" I ended the call and sat there in the quiet study, staring at the two files side by side. St. Augustine's and Blackthorne Medical Center. Files that have been altered with the same careful absence stamped into both. “Who are you, Nora?” I immediately thought of Nora, who was still unaware of any of this. Such an innocent soul, going about her life believing she understood exactly where she came from. Then my thoughts drifted to my daughter, Elara. She was raised inside the Hart name, her place in this family was never questioned for a single day, but as a mother, we never bonded. And as I thought about all this, a chill settled deep into my chest. If what I was thinking was true, whoever h

Morning didn’t come softly. It crashed in like a verdict, sunlight spilling through the blinds in sharp, accusing lines, cutting across Elara’s bare skin where she stood frozen by the window. The city below pulsed with life, unaware of the quiet storm unfolding above it. Her fingers traced the edge of the brass key, the weight of it solid in her palm. Beside it, the flash drive hummed like a secret waiting to bite. She hadn’t slept. Not really. Her body ached with memory, mind tangled in fragments of heat and whispered promises. Claimed. The word echoed again, and she realized it no longer felt like possession—it felt like recognition.

She’s not what I’d consider a team player, but she’s working on it, at least. The village is busy and bustling when I walk out of the forest and take the trail to the large wooden house rising from a thicket of trees, perched just above the rest with a view of the village below. I wasn’t born here, but I grew up within the warm wooden walls that greet me. Nora looks up from the couch where she’s sprawled out, her sketchbook in her lap. She inherited Mom’s fiery red curls but has a knack for taming them that neither Mom nor I have been able to master, even with her guidance. They dance around her shoulders in tight, glossy, perfect coils as she shimmies to an upright position, her amber eyes

Nora wept as she glared into my eyes. I chuckled, I knew I was dying... my eyes were closing and death was quickly sipping into me. ~ NORA I had just buried my mother, I couldn't believe she was dead just like that. But then I made sure there was no life left in Michela, she won't send my mother down to the wilderness without her leading the way. Passing by the woods, I could sense something strange around... I could feel a very weak energy. I wanted to ignore it and head for the castle but the energy was pulling me toward the direction. Looking around, I saw an abandoned cottage.

"I thought your family might keep you locked up at the estate today." "I needed to get out of that house," Clara admitted, sitting down on the opposite sofa. "The walls were closing in on me. This library is absolutely incredible, by the way." "It really is," Nora agreed, sitting back down. "It is the only room in this massive place where I actually feel calm. I have been spending hours in here just trying to keep my brain busy." Glancing at the thick book resting on Nora's lap, Clara read the spine. "Italian grammar? Are you learning a new language?"

"When you press it, it'll start. Take as long as you need." Nora nodded without turning around, and pressed the button. The wooden box set ablaze. She watched until she couldn't anymore, then looked at the floor instead, at the scuffed toes of the black flats she'd bought specifically for today and would probably never wear again. "There," she thought distantly. "That's done." The will reading was two weeks later. She hadn't expected anyone to show up. They all did — filling the lawyer's office with the particular energy of people trying very hard not to look like they were thinking about money.

I had to inhale and exhale a million times before leaving the car. I resist the urge to take a quick smoke to soothe me before leaving. Everything in the mansion was as it was except a little quiet. Now we aren’t enemies anymore, we aren’t strangers stealing glances at each other, we were two broken souls finding comfort from the pieces of each other. I took out my jacket and head inside the mansion and I found Nora going through cartons of her old toys. “Have you said hello to him?” “Yeah. It’s your turn now. She whispers, rattling the carton continuously. I caught sight of the kitchen, but there was no one there. I smile remembering where I was a few years back and where I am now.