Chapter 5 - The Trust I Never Read
The trust was called the Pierce Descendant Support Trust.
Evan’s grandfather, William Pierce, created it before his death.
It was not enormous.
At least not by billionaire standards.
Miles’s subtrust had started with approximately $640,000.
Investment growth brought it to around $720,000.
The terms allowed distributions for:
Health.
Education.
Childcare.
Special enrichment.
Certain family support directly tied to Miles.
Patricia was one trustee.
A regional bank was the other.
Evan could request distributions as parent.
I had known almost none of that.
“Why didn’t I know?” I asked Maya.
“Ask your husband eventually.”
“I am asking myself.”
“Don’t confuse ignorance with consent.”
I hated how often she said useful things.
Lauren sent three screenshots.
One showed a reimbursement request:
PIERCE FAMILY CHILDCARE SUPPORT — $9,800.
Another:
NUTRITIONAL AND WELLNESS PROGRAM — $4,600.
Another:
SUMMER FAMILY RESIDENCE EXPENSE — $12,400.
“What nutritional program?” I whispered.
Miles had no nutritionist besides Dr. Morgan’s simple dietary trial.
What childcare?
Patricia occasionally babysat.
For free, she said.
I sent screenshots to Maya.
She immediately said:
“Do not accuse Patricia of theft.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You were about to.”
“Yes.”
“We need trust documents and accounting.”
“How?”
“Through family counsel and potentially probate/trust lawyer.”
By afternoon we had another attorney.
Jonah Reed.
He specialized in fiduciary disputes.
Jonah reviewed the trust.
“Patricia does not control it alone.”
“Bank co trustee?”
“Yes.”
“Then how could she misuse?”
“Banks often rely on facially valid reimbursement documentation for modest discretionary expenses unless red flags emerge.”
“Can I see statements?”
“As Miles’s parent, you may have rights to information depending on instrument and state law. Evan likely receives reports.”
“Does he?”
“We’ll request.”
I looked toward Miles.
He was watching cartoons with headphones.
“Why would custody matter?”
Jonah answered carefully.
“It may not.”
“Lauren says it does.”
“If Evan becomes sole custodial parent, Patricia and Evan may expect less scrutiny from you. That is motive theory, not fact.”
Good.
Facts.
Always facts.
Then Maya called.
“The hearing is tomorrow at one.”
“Okay.”
“I filed Evan’s travel consent.”
“Good.”
“I filed Dr. Morgan’s instructions.”
“Good.”
“And your return flight.”
I had booked one.
Toronto to Cincinnati.
Tomorrow evening.
Still within the signed travel period.
Maya wanted the judge to see it.
“I hate going back.”
“You’re not going back to Evan.”
“I know.”
“We requested temporary exclusive use of the marital residence or alternative safe exchange. But because no allegation Evan physically harmed Miles, the court may preserve contact.”
“I know.”
“We are asking no Patricia contact pending investigation.”
“Yes.”
Then:
“Evan filed a supplemental affidavit.”
“What now?”
“He says you threatened to permanently relocate to Canada.”
“I never did.”
“Any texts?”
“No.”
“He cites the one way tickets.”
I laughed.
“That’s his proof?”
“Part.”
“What else?”
“He says you told Lauren ‘you’ll never see us again.’”
“I did not.”
“Lauren gave him statement?”
“I don’t know.”
My phone buzzed.
Lauren.
I opened.
They wrote a statement for me.
My chest tightened.
Did you sign?
Not yet.
Then:
Mom says if I don’t, she’ll cut me out of the family company.
There was a family company?
Lauren worked in her father’s real estate office.
Patricia still owned majority after her husband’s death.
So the leverage was real.
I typed:
Do not sign something false because of me. Get your own lawyer.
She replied:
May you like
What if I already signed other things?
That sentence told me Lauren’s role was deeper than a few videos.
