Calvin’s face twisted.

“She’s lying.

Those papers are fake.”

“They carry your signature,” I said, holding them toward Marcus.

“And the seal of the court.”

Marcus took the documents.

His hands shook as he read the date.

“This says Mom was declared mentally unfit,” he said.

“You told me she chose another family.”

Calvin reached for the papers, but Marcus pulled them away.

“Don’t touch them.”

Then Calvin’s mistress grabbed his arm.

“You promised me she was gone.

You said no one could ever challenge the estate.”

A shocked murmur spread through the garden.

Calvin glared at her.

“Be quiet.”

I opened my worn handbag and removed a sealed envelope.

“This was delivered to me three days ago,” I said.

“It contains the name of the person who helped Calvin take everything—and proof that I wrote to Marcus every year.”

Marcus stared at me.

“You wrote to me?”

“Thirty letters,” I whispered.

“Every one was returned.”

His eyes filled with tears, but before he could speak, the garden gate opened.

An elderly man stepped inside, carrying a locked metal case.

Calvin went pale.

Marcus turned toward him.

“Who are you?”

The man looked directly at Calvin.

“I’m the witness he paid to disappear.”

Why was Calvin so terrified of the witness—and what was hidden inside the case?

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