“I’m reading what she wrote.” Daniel turned the page so I could see a paragraph near the bottom. Most was too small to read, but one line was marked in blue.

I appoint as trustee the person whose legal claim to my daughter predates all others.

“What does that mean?” I asked.

Daniel’s smile faded. “That is the question your father has avoided for six years.” I looked at my father. He did not deny it. A cold, slow understanding moved through me.

“This isn’t about a lawyer,” I said. No one answered. I faced my father fully. “Who did my mother appoint?” His lips parted, but no words came.

Daniel lowered the page. “The trustee is not the surprise, Sophia.”