My mother collapsed in the snow carrying the steaks my husband had ordered her to buy. “Did she remember them?” Daniel asked when I called from the emergency room.

happy, you could keep your marriage.”

I kissed her forehead.

“You don’t owe him a marriage.”

Daniel’s next message arrived while she slept:

Marcus is investing tomorrow. Don’t let your mother’s stunt ruin this.

I almost replied.

Then I noticed the company name in the pitch deck Daniel had left open on our shared tablet:

Harbor House Living.

Below it was a photograph of the brick apartment building Mom had inherited from her sister.

Daniel had told me Marcus was investing in a restaurant.

Apparently, the plan had changed.

Mom’s