“Yes,” I said. “I can do that. I’ll make time tomorrow or Thursday. No problem.”

“Good,” he said, relaxing again. “Thanks, honey. I know you’ve been busy.”

I hung up and set the phone down like nothing had happened. My pulse didn’t race, but a slow, precise focus spread through me. Friday was approaching. The deadline he thought was his to control. But I had all the pieces now. I wasn’t reacting. I was planning.

That afternoon, I drove to the attorney’s office again. Natalie came with me this time, and we reviewed every document, every account, every potential loophole.