I pulled out the sealed letter from my mom\u2014the one I had kept for this very day. My fingers trembled as I opened it. I recognized her handwriting instantly.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cMy Dianne:<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/ins><\/div>\n
If you are reading this, it means you have turned eighteen and someone has tried to make you believe you need permission to be the master of your own life.<\/i><\/p>\n
Your house is not a prize or a debt. It is a refuge.<\/i> Your education is not a favor from Arthur. It is your right.<\/i><\/p>\n
If he ever tells you that you are worthless, remember this: I saw your intelligence before you could even read. I saw your strength when you learned to walk and fell six times without crying. I saw your heart when you gave your lunch to a stray dog and pretended you weren\u2019t hungry anymore.<\/i><\/p>\n
Do not sign anything out of fear.<\/i> Do not return to a table where they call you a burden.<\/i><\/p>\n
And if you ever find yourself alone, look for Susan and Mr. Santos. They know the truth.<\/i><\/p>\n
I leave you the house because I want you to have a door that no one can close on you. I leave you my love because that is the one thing no one can ever forge.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
I couldn\u2019t go on. Aunt Susan finished reading it. When I looked up, my father was pale. \u201cShe didn\u2019t know what she was doing,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/ins><\/div>\n
Mr. Santos opened another folder. \u201cElena knew exactly what she was doing. She also established that any attempt at coercion, impersonation, or fraudulent sale would trigger an immediate report and suspend any of Mr. Arthur\u2019s management over assets linked to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celia turned on my father. \u201cYou told me there were no safeguards!\u201d<\/p>\n