Thomas didn’t know that we had already spoken to her.

“So Rebecca was the one who wanted to leave?” Caroline asked, her voice steady.

“She was,” Thomas said, his face a mask of solemn regret.

“She couldn’t handle the reality of your medical needs.”

“I wanted to stay, but she pushed me out, and then she ran off herself.”

He shook his head, looking down at his polished leather shoes.

“It broke my heart, but I had to accept it.”

“I left you with the one person I knew would never let you down—my own mother.”

He smiled warmly at me, expecting me to validate his lie.

I took a slow sip of my coffee, the liquid bitter and lukewarm on my tongue.

“You speak very highly of your intentions, Thomas,” I said.

“Of course I do, because they were pure,” he said.

He reached out and tapped the draft agreement on the table.

“That’s why this co-conservatorship is so important.”

“With my financial backing and your daily care, Caroline will have everything she needs for college.”

“We just need to sign these and file them with the court in Richmond.”