“It allows the co-conservator to borrow against the trust principal for ‘proven investment opportunities.'”

“He is not trying to protect you, Caroline,” Rebecca whispered.

Thomas walked back into the kitchen, his phone stuffed deep into his pocket.

“We sign this now, or we lose control,” he said, holding out a sleek black pen.

He looked at Caroline with an expression that tried to be loving but looked more like a plea for survival.

I felt a cold knot form in my stomach.

I needed to look into Thomas’s business.

I needed to call my old friend at the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.

Something was terribly wrong with Thomas’s finances.

“Leave the papers, Thomas,” I said, stepping forward.

“We will discuss this tomorrow.”

“Mother, you are making a grave mistake,” he said, his eyes wild.

He did not move toward the door.

Instead, he reached out and placed his hand over the blue trust papers on the table.

“I cannot let you throw her future away,” he said.

“I am her father.”

“And I am the one who raised her,” I said.