Mr. Grant turned to the final page in his stack. “Your father’s estate plan was very specific.”
My father looked up, something desperate entering his expression. “What does it say?”
Mr. Grant read slowly, deliberately, letting each word land on its own. “Any beneficiary who attempts to obtain trust assets through coercion, deception, unauthorized transfers, or financial exploitation may be removed from the trust.”
My father’s face went completely blank.
My mother grabbed his arm. “Richard.”
He pulled away from her. “No.”
Mr. Grant closed the folder gently. “That notice was prepared twelve years ago.”
My father stared at him. “You’ve been waiting?”
“No.” Mr. Grant’s voice stayed calm, almost gentle. “I’ve been hoping I would never need to use it.”
Nobody spoke for a long moment. Then Aunt Monica started crying, not, I understood watching her closely, because of what this meant for Grandma, but because she’d finally understood what it meant for her.
