“Sir, that is private,” I said.

“It concerns you,” he said.

“And it concerns Ethan.”

I hesitated, then reached out and took the paper.

The texture was thick, the ink dark and written in Eleanor’s elegant, sloping hand.

My hand shook slightly as I unfolded it.

*My dearest Alexander,*

*If you are reading this, I am no longer there to protect our son.*

*I know the world you live in.*

*I know the people who will flock to your side once I am gone, pretending to care for Ethan while eyeing the Hawthorne name and the wealth that comes with it.*

*They will try to replace me with someone of their own choosing.*

*Do not trust them.*

*There is only one person in that house who looks at Ethan and sees a child, not a golden key.*

*Elena has been more than a maid to us.*

*She has been his protector.*

*If anything happens to me, I ask that you make her Ethan’s legal co-guardian.*

*Only she has the strength to stand between him and the vultures.*

*Please, Alexander, do this for our boy.*