Mr. Hayes remained steady. “Lily’s estate—including the house, savings, and life insurance—is to be placed in a trust for our unborn son, Noah,” he read. “If Noah does not survive, the trust will pass to my sister, Emily Carter, who will decide how best to honor my memory.”
My legs nearly gave out. I hadn’t known. Tears clouded my vision.
Jason let out a bitter laugh. “Her sister? Emily can’t even manage her own bills. This is insane.”
“Sit down, Mr. Reed,” Mr. Hayes said sharply. “There is more.”
He reached into his briefcase and withdrew a thick sealed envelope.
“This was delivered to my office two days before Lily’s death,” he said. “It is marked in her handwriting: ‘To be opened only if my death is ruled an accident.’”
The church went utterly still. The ticking of the old wall clock sounded deafening. Jason’s color drained.
Mr. Hayes opened the envelope.
