My savings account contained less than I expected.

For years Vance had persuaded me to use a joint account, explaining that his salary and investment benefits made separate accounts unnecessary.

My income from freelance design work went into that pool.

I could still see transactions, but I had rarely looked closely.

Together we reviewed the previous month’s statements.

A series of transfers had gone to a name I didn’t recognize: North Quay Consulting.

The amounts varied, each below the threshold Vance usually asked me to approve before any major household spending.