It was an agreement for voluntary financial guardianship, naming Julian as sole fiduciary over all my present and future personal assets.

“I’m thirty-two years old, Eleanor,” I said.

“I’m perfectly capable of managing my own bank account.”

“An auditor who shows signs of severe emotional instability could lose a lot more than her credit privileges, Vivian,” Eleanor purred, her voice low and completely flat.

“I’m not emotionally unstable,” I said.

“A probate judge in Oak Creek might see a pregnant woman making false claims against her husband’s family foundation quite differently,” Eleanor said.

She picked up the dry crystal goblets and walked into the dining room without looking back.