The morning Lily went in for heart surgery, police arrested Margaret at John F. Kennedy International Airport as she tried to board an international flight.

I didn’t celebrate. I sat in the waiting room too exhausted to feel anything at all.

Four hours later the surgeon came out. “The operation was successful. Your daughter is going to be fine.”

My legs went out from under me. Richard caught me before I hit the floor, and Olivia and Grace wrapped their arms around us both. For the first time, we looked like a family.

The criminal trial ran eight months. Forensic experts proved every signature had been forged. Financial investigators traced years of stolen charitable donations.

Former employees testified about what had gone on inside the Whitmore mansion. Michael’s life insurance was restored into a trust for our daughters, and our townhouse came back to us when the fraudulent transfer was overturned.