Page 87 of Through the Storm

He just nods once from where he’s pouring coffee, like my presence doesn’t register as a threat anymore. Like I belong in this kitchen, at least for now.

“You want some?” he asks, lifting the pot.

I blink, then nod. “Yeah. Thanks.”

It’s a small thing. But it loosens something in me I didn’t realize was tight.

Katy is already sitting at the table, barefoot, her pajama top hanging off her shoulder. She’s sorting through the mail, flipping envelopes into two neat piles.

Then she stops.

Her fingers curl slowly around one envelope. She doesn’t open it right away. Just stares at the return address.

“Katy?” My guard is immediately up.

She opens it, and I watch her read.

Her eyes move faster than they should. Then slow. Her mouthparts slightly. One hand comes up to cover it, like she’s trying to keep something inside.

Oh shit.

She pushes the letter away from her, paper trembling between her fingers.

“Katy,” I say again, already moving towards her. “Hey.”

She shakes her head once, sharp and disbelieving, and presses her lips together. Tears spill anyway.

Declan’s mug hits the counter. “What is it?”

She doesn’t answer him. She slides the letter toward me instead.

“Mail. From lawyers,” she says. Her voice sounds far away.

I open it. I don’t skim. I read it carefully. Every sentence feels designed to sound reasonable while doing maximum damage.

Temporarily suspend discretionary distributions.

Protect long-term interests.

Given the circumstances.

My hands curl into fists before I realize it. “They froze your trust.”

Katy nods. Still not looking at me.

Declan steps closer. “Let me see that.”

I hand it to him. He reads faster than I did. Less patient. His jaw hardens with every line.

“Are you kidding me?” he snaps. “This is bullshit. They don’t get to do this to you. Grandpa was the one who set it up!”

“They already did,” Katy says.

I’m still holding the letter. I want to tear it in half. Burn it. Make it disappear.

“I don’t care what they froze,” I say. “I don’t care about any of it. You and the baby are taken care of. I’ll make sure of that.”

Declan straightens.