Mr. Reed turned to the last page of Mom's letter.

“Lauren and Kyle, I love you. I always will. You're my children. That's why you're getting my savings, equally, every penny. I'm not punishing you. I'm just being honest. The same way I always taught you to be.

“But I want you to know that I saw it. All of it. And I want you to think about it, for a long time.

“And Claire, my darling girl. I'm sorry I never said anything. I knew you were protecting me. You've been protecting everyone your whole life. Let somebody take care of you for once. Let it be me, one last time.

“P.S. Amber, since you were so worried about it: the china goes to Claire as well. Along with everything else in the house.”

Mr. Reed put the letter down.

Nobody spoke.

Amber stood up, picked up her handbag, and walked out of the office without a word. The door creaked shut behind her.

Kyle sat with his head in his hands.

Lauren was staring at the forty-seven pages on the desk. Her face was gray.

“She knew,” Lauren whispered. “She knew the whole time. At Christmas. At Thanksgiving. She knew, and she still hugged us.”

“She was your mother,” said Mr. Reed quietly. “Of course she did.”