I gripped the phone.
“Why?”
Eleanor began sobbing.
“Because Henry promised he’d keep our family’s money safe.”
My heart thundered.
“What money?”
She took a shaky breath.
“The original investment.”
I stared at the wall.
“Henry and I started Cedarline with our own savings.”
Eleanor whispered:
“No, Gloria.”
A pause.
“Your mother provided the money.”
I stopped breathing.
“That’s impossible.”
Eleanor continued.
“She created a trust for both of us when we were born.”
My hands shook.
“Then why didn’t I know?”
“Because our father took control of it.”
I closed my eyes.
Then Eleanor whispered:
“Henry discovered the trust when he was helping your family settle an old property dispute.”
I stared at the phone.
“And?”
“He used part of it to help you build Cedarline.”
My heart stopped.
My husband had always told me we started with money we’d saved.
Had that been another lie?
Then Eleanor began crying again.
