Marina added, “Gideon’s finances are complicated. Manhattan property especially. People could take advantage of you.”
I lowered my gaze and made myself look uncertain.
“Okay,” I whispered.
My father visibly relaxed.
He opened a drawer and pulled out a folder that had clearly been prepared in advance. Inside were documents and a pen.
“We had an attorney friend prepare a family trust,” he explained. “It will keep everything safe.”
I stared at the folder without moving.
“Just sign,” Marina said softly. “Then you can rest.”
I picked up the pen.
My mother smiled as if she had already won.
Then I said quietly, “Before I sign anything, I should call Gideon’s attorney. He told me never to sign documents without him.”
The atmosphere in the room changed instantly.
“That’s unnecessary,” my father said sharply. “We’re family.”
“I know,” I replied gently. “But he insisted.”
Marina’s smile stiffened.
“Claire, don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
“I’m not,” I said calmly. “I’m just being careful.”
I stood up as if I were going to make the phone call privately.
Instead, I walked to the coat closet by the front door and retrieved a small envelope Gideon’s lawyer had given me earlier that day.
When I returned to the table, my father frowned.
