Inside was a letter Elaine had written shortly before her death, preserved with the original trust papers.

It wasn’t a legal instruction.

It was personal, addressed to Brian and Lauren for when they were grown.

I hope that what I leave helps you care for the people who come after you, she’d written.

It is not a reward for obedience.

It is a way of giving you room to choose lives that make you kind.

Lauren began to cry.

Brian read the last line out loud.