“We didn’t want you hearing it from someone else,” he said.
“At my mother-in-law’s will reading?” I let out a short, humorless laugh. “How thoughtful.”
The door opened behind me. Attorney James Harlan walked in with a folder tucked under his arm. He paused when he saw the baby, but he quickly covered his surprise.
“Mrs. Caldwell requested that everyone be present,” he said carefully. “Ms. Whitaker is… included.”
Included.
The word echoed in my mind. Margaret had known.
I sat down slowly across from them. My legs felt weak. Ethan’s wedding ring caught the light under the harsh fluorescent bulbs. He had kept it on. I didn’t know why that detail bothered me more than the baby.
Harlan took his seat at the head of the table and opened the folder. “Margaret Caldwell finalized her will on March 3rd. She also left a personal letter to be read aloud.”
Ethan leaned back in his chair, already looking confident, almost bored. Lauren adjusted the baby on her chest. Her expression hovered between sympathy and quiet victory.
Harlan unfolded a single page.
