I chose a simple dark blue dress that Eleanor had given me two years ago for my birthday.

It was plain, but it fit well.

When I walked down to the library at ten, Alexander was already there.

Two men in dark gray suits sat opposite his desk.

They had several thick leather folders open before them, the white pages covered in dense legal text.

Alexander stood up as I entered.

“Elena,” he said, gesturing to the chairs.

“This is Mr. Vance and Mr. Croft, our family attorneys.”

The two men stood up and bowed their heads politely.

“Good morning, Ms. Davis,” Mr. Vance said.

He was an older man with silver hair and wire-rimmed spectacles.

“We have prepared the necessary documents according to Mr. Hawthorne’s instructions.”

I took a seat in the leather chair next to Alexander.

The desk was covered with documents, each one requiring a signature.

“We are establishing a co-guardianship trust,” Mr. Croft explained, pointing to a section of the document.

“This gives you joint legal custody of Ethan Hawthorne.”

“In the event of Mr. Hawthorne’s absence or incapacitation, you will have sole guardianship.”