He swallowed.
“I said the trust owned it.”
“No. You said it would become yours. You told me it was our long-term security.”
I spoke before they could begin another argument.
“Both of you need to listen. The trust purchased this house seven years ago. Darren was given permission to live here. That permission was not a transfer of ownership.”
Thalia stared at the document.
I continued.
“Harold and I established the trust. I provided the funds used for the purchase from investments we’d built together. After Harold died, I became the sole acting trustee, with the authority reserved under the trust to manage its assets.”
Darren looked toward the fireplace.
He knew some of this.
He’d just never wanted to discuss what it meant.
Thalia shook her head.
“So Darren doesn’t own the house?”
“No.”
“Not even half?”
“No.”
She slowly lowered the paper.
“Then who does?”
“The trust holds legal title. As the surviving person with control under its terms, I make its property decisions.”
Her eyes moved around the dining room.
The expensive furniture.
The marble countertop visible through the kitchen doorway.
The enormous windows overlooking the garden.
Then she looked at me.
“You’re telling me this house belongs to you?”
“I’m telling you the home you’ve been living in was purchased with my money through a trust I control.”
She sank into her chair.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she looked at Darren.
“What else haven’t you told me?”
