My stepmother called and told me, “You’re banned from the family beach house. I changed every lock.” She sounded almost delighted. I simply replied, “Thanks for the update.” What she didn’t know was that my mom had placed the house in a private trust under my name before she passed away.

said.

“Rebecca—”

I ended the call.

The sky outside had deepened into full evening, and Boston glittered under it like a city pretending not to be lonely. I stayed at the desk long enough to photograph every page and send them to Evelyn, then long enough to read the trust three more times, just to steady myself with the facts.

Finally, I stood, opened my continue reading …