The money was administered by an independent trustee according to the written terms.

It wasn’t cash sitting in my checking account.

I couldn’t simply withdraw it because I needed a new car.

Oliver couldn’t access it by marrying me.

The house was different.

It belonged to me directly, subject to the estate arrangements I’d made for the children.

That distinction explained Eleanor’s interest in the deed.

But it didn’t explain why she knew the amount of the insurance trust.

I’d never told her.

I sat on the bed holding Sarah’s old correspondence.