Chapter 7
The trust was structured to protect you from financial pressure.
Your son was named as a potential beneficiary after your death, subject to specific conditions.”
Benjamin shot to his feet again.
“That’s enough.”
Richard closed the folder.
“No.
It isn’t.”
“You’re making it sound like Dad thought I was some kind of criminal.”
“I am telling your mother what the documents say.”
“Dad promised me the house!”
The words exploded into the room.
I turned slowly.
“What did you just say?”
Benjamin seemed to realize his mistake, but it was too late.
Richard took a deep breath.
“Thomas never promised you this house.”
“Yes, he did!”
“When?”
“When we discussed the future.”
“Thomas discussed your future with you.
He did not transfer ownership of Eleanor’s home, and he never promised that you would inherit it outright.”
Benjamin pointed at me.
“Mom always said it would stay in the family.”
“It is staying in the family,” I said.
“I’m still here.”
“You know what I mean!”
I did.
He meant that he had imagined a future in which my home was his, my savings were his, and my continued existence was a temporary inconvenience to be managed until the paperwork could be arranged.
For the first time, I wondered whether he had always seen me as a person or whether, somewhere along the way, he had begun seeing me as an obstacle between himself and his inheritance.
Genevieve stood and adjusted her coat.
“This is absurd.
We have a mortgage, a child, and a business to run.
We were counting on the arrangements Thomas made.”
Richard regarded her carefully.
“Which arrangements?”
She hesitated.
Benjamin looked at her sharply.
“Genevieve.”
But she had already said too much.
“The money,” she replied.
“The money that was supposed to become available when Eleanor moved into assisted living.”
The silence that followed seemed to change the temperature of the room.
I looked at her.
“Assisted living?”
Her eyes widened.
“I didn’t mean—”
“You were counting on me moving into assisted living?”
“No.
I meant eventually.
When you needed more care.”
“I am seventy-seven, Genevieve.
I live independently, drive myself to appointments, manage my investments, and cook my own meals.
What made you think I was preparing to move anywhere?”
She looked at Benjamin.
He stared at the floor.
Richard opened the folder again.
“Thomas included a provision concerning Eleanor’s future care.
If she voluntarily moved into a residential care facility, the trust could cover the costs.