My fingers shook as I took the envelope from Emma’s hand. It was cream colored, and my name was written across the front in neat, unfamiliar handwriting. “Open it, Grandma,” Emma whispered. I broke the seal and pulled out a folded check and a handwritten letter. The check was made out to me. I stared at the amount, and my knees nearly gave way.

It said forty-seven thousand dollars, exactly what I had put toward the mortgage. The letter began, “Denise, I found out what Trevor called your money, and I am ashamed to be married to a man who said it.” Caleb tugged my sleeve and asked why I was crying. I could not answer. Then the line at the bottom of the page made me grip the porch rail.