Chapter 4

At 10:00 AM three days later, while Declan was at an emergency PTA meeting, I stood inside the high-ceilinged vault of First National Bank downtown.

"Mrs. Vance," the senior trust officer, Mr. Harrison, said as he pushed a thick binder across the oak desk. "Are you sure you want to pull the physical ledger? Most clients access their trust updates online."

"I prefer paper," I said quietly.

My grandmother had established the Vance Family Trust when I was eighteen -- an inheritance meant to ensure I would never be trapped. It was set to unlock fully on my thirtieth birthday,…