"My father had a living trust instead of a traditional will. And according to the way it’s set up, no one will know who gets what for a fucking year."
I freeze. "What?"
"The attorney just told me. It's in my father's instructions. The Living Trust details can't be disclosed or read until one year after his death. No exceptions."
"Why?"
"I don't know. The attorney just said it's what my father wanted. That everything will be explained when the time comes."
Asher starts pacing, his hands clenched into fists. "It's a test. It has to be. Some fucked-up game he's playing from beyond the grave. He wants to see if I can handle the company withoutknowing what I'm inheriting. Or maybe he's punishing me for something. I don't know."
I should tell him. I should tell him right now about the gift, about the trap, about everything. He's going to find out eventually. And when he does, he'll know I kept it from him and he'll be hurt that his dad did that and I didn't fill him in.
I open my mouth to speak. And then my phone rings. I pull it out of my pocket, my hands shaking. The number on the screen is unfamiliar, but the area code is local.
"I guess I should take this," I say.
Asher waves a hand, still pacing. I step into the kitchen and answer.
"Mrs. Stevens?" The voice is male, professional, measured.
"Yes?"
"This is Gregory Hale. I'm the attorney handling Dean Stevens' estate. I'm calling because I need to inform you of something important regarding your late father-in-law's arrangements."
My stomach drops. "Okay."
"As you may know, Mr. Stevens made certain provisions for you prior to his death. Specifically, the payment of your business loan and the purchase of the commercial property where your shop is located."
"Yes."
"Those provisions, along with the conditions attached to them, will be disclosed in the reading of details of Mr. Stevens' living trust. However, I need to make something very clear to you, Mrs. Stevens. You are not to disclose any details of this arrangement to your husband prior to the distribution."
"The terms of the trust are explicit on this point. Mr. Stevens intended for all parties to learn of the full scope of his bequests simultaneously. Any premature disclosure could be considered a violation of the estate's terms."
I can't breathe. "You're telling me to stay silent?"
"That's correct. I understand this may be difficult, but it's a legal matter. The estate's instructions are binding."
"But he's going to find out eventually. When the Living Trust details are distributed."
"Yes. And at that time, all parties will be informed together. Until then, I must advise you to remain silent on this matter."
"What if I don't? What if I tell him anyway?"
There's a pause. "I can't advise you on the specific consequences, but I can tell you that Mr. Stevens was very particular about how this information was to be handled. Istronglyrecommend you comply with his wishes."
I say goodbye to him in a daze. When I lower the phone and turn around, Asher is standing in the doorway, watching me.
"Who was that?" he asks.
"Nobody. Just... a work thing. Delayed inventory."
He studies my face. "You look upset."
"I'm fine. Just annoyed that there's a holdup."
He knows something is wrong. He just doesn't know what. But I can see that he's not going to dig. "Okay," he says finally. "If you say so."
