Chapter 5: The Secret My Wife Left Behind
My late wife, Laura, had left Emily a trust fund worth nearly two million dollars.
The money came from her parents, a life insurance policy, and investments she had built before cancer took her. It was meant to pay for Emily's education, medical needs, and whatever future she chose when she grew up.
I had managed the trust since Laura's death.
Every year, our attorney sent me a statement confirming the balance.
The last statement showed that the money was safe.
I looked at Rebecca.
“What does Laura's money have to do with Margaret Collins?””
Rebecca shook her head.
“I didn't take it.””
“That wasn't my question.””
“I never touched Emily's trust.””
“Then why did you tell me to ask about it?””
She sat down again, pressing her palms against her knees.
“Because Margaret told me the trust could be used to fund Emily's placement.””
I stared at her.
“Who authorized that?””
“She said there was a way to access it through a guardianship arrangement.””
“Who signed the documents?””
Rebecca didn't answer.
Daniel swore under his breath.
I pulled out my phone and called our family attorney, Susan Bennett.
She answered on the fourth ring.
“David? You're supposed to be getting married.””
“Not anymore. Susan, I need you to check Emily's trust account immediately.””
Her voice changed.
“What happened?””
“Someone may have attempted to use it to fund a residential placement. I need to know whether any documents have been filed or any money has moved.””
“Don't sign anything. Don't agree to anything. I'm checking now.””
I heard the faint sound of typing.
Then silence.
“Susan?””
“I'm here.””
“Tell me what you see.””
She took a breath.
“There was an attempted withdrawal request submitted eleven days ago.””
My knees felt weak.
“How much?””
“Four hundred and fifty thousand dollars.””
Rebecca covered her mouth.
Daniel stepped closer to the phone.
“Was it approved?””
“No. The bank flagged it because the authorization didn't match the original trust documents.””
I closed my eyes.
“Who submitted the request?””
Susan hesitated.
“The request came through an intermediary associated with a company called Collins Family Transition Services.””
I looked directly at Rebecca.
She stared at the floor.
“Was my signature on it?”” I asked.
“Yes.””
“Did I sign it?””
“No. I spoke with you that week, remember? You were in Chicago. I received your travel itinerary when we were preparing the estate documents for review.””
My brother's face hardened.
Susan continued.
“David, I need you to tell me exactly what has happened. Has anyone attempted to remove Emily from your care?””
I glanced at my daughter.
She was sitting on a small upholstered chair, holding her bouquet in her lap. Her feet didn't quite reach the floor.
“Yes,” I said.
“Someone planned to collect her from our house this afternoon.””
“I'm contacting the bank's fraud department and preparing an emergency filing. You need to contact the police now.””
“We will.””
“And David?””
“What?””
“Do not let Rebecca or anyone associated with that company take Emily anywhere. Not even temporarily.””
“I won't.””
After we ended the call, the bridal room felt smaller than ever.
Rebecca stood near the mirror, staring at her reflection.
“You knew about the withdrawal,” I said.
She didn't turn around.
“Not at first.””
“When did you find out?””
“Three weeks ago.””
I struggled to understand what I was hearing.
“You knew someone had tried to take almost half a million dollars from Emily's trust, and you said nothing?””
“Margaret told me it was an administrative error.””
“And you believed her?””
“I wanted to.””
“Why?””
May you like
Rebecca finally faced me.
“Because I was already
