“It is your future, Caroline,” I said, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.

“You can go to any college in the world.”

“But only if we keep it safe,” Rebecca warned, her eyes darting toward the front door as if she expected someone to be listening.

“My family’s lawyers said that if Thomas gets wind of this, he might try to declare you legally incompetent due to your physical difference.”

“That is illogical,” Caroline said, her eyes flashing with a rare spark of anger.

“My physical difference does not impact my cognitive functions.”

“He doesn’t care about logic, Caroline,” Rebecca said.

“He cares about five million dollars.”

I looked at the yellowed envelope, the broken red wax, and the blue paper scattered on the table.

The warmth of the room seemed to evaporate, replaced by a sudden, heavy dread.

Thomas had been too quiet lately, too polite, too interested in our small, quiet life.

Just then, on the small wooden side table next to the brass lamp, Caroline’s cell phone began to vibrate.

The screen lit up, casting a cold blue glow against the warm amber light of the lamp.