The Trust’s Price
Back in the dim conference room, Elena spread the trust documents across the table.
“Here’s the clause,” she said, pointing to a line in fine print. “If the funds are used for a non‑Biological child, I must forfeit any claim to custody.”
My pulse hammered. “So you’d have to give Lucy up?”
She shook her head, eyes glistening. “Only if we don’t use the money. If we accept, I lose legal rights—but Lucy lives.”
I ran my fingers over the parchment, the words blurring. “And if I pay for the surgery myself?”
Elena’s phone buzzed, a sharp intrusion. She glanced at the screen, then at me, her face hardening.
“It’s Jason,” she said, voice low. “He’s calling about the donation we promised him last week.”
The speaker crackled, Jason’s voice booming, “Caleb, I need that check. The charity’s audit is coming up, and I can’t have a shortfall now.”
