“They state clearly that the primary shares cannot be transferred without the co-signature of the estate administrator,” he added.

“And as my wife,” Nathan said, turning to look at me, “Emily is the sole legal heir to the administrator’s portion of the estate.”

I stood up beside him and placed my hands flat on the polished wood.

My fingers were steady now.

“We have drafted a new joint resolution,” I said.

I looked at the board members, meeting each of their eyes in turn.

“Nathan and I will assume joint control of the voting shares,” I said.

“The corporation will remain stable, but the management structure will change,” I added.

Mr. Sterling smiled faintly and nodded his approval.

“The documents are in order,” Mr. Sterling said. “I have already verified the signatures.”

He pushed a heavy silver pen across the table toward me.

“Please sign here, Mrs. Vance,” he said.

I took the pen, the metal cool against my skin.

I wrote my name, Emily Carter Vance, on the dotted line.

Nathan signed right beside me.

The ink was dark and wet under the bright boardroom lights.