Eight children. Eight futures. Eight college funds.

Suddenly, this wasn’t karma anymore. It was a problem I had to solve.

“So, unless you suddenly have the means to support them all,” he continued, “you need to go beg my mother to change her mind.”

I closed my eyes.

“Okay,” I said. “I’ll do it.”

The next morning, I drove to Margaret’s house on the hill overlooking the river. My hands trembled as I rang the doorbell.

Margaret answered the door herself.

We stared at each other for a long moment.

Then I did something I never expected.

I dropped to my knees on Margaret’s doorstep. “Please don’t cut Daniel out of the business. I’m not going to pretend I care what happens to him, but think of the children.”

“Good heavens, Claire, get up!”

I stood.

She placed both hands on my shoulders. “What on earth are you talking about?”

I explained what Daniel had told me when I called him back. Her lips tightened.

“That sneaky little—” she stopped herself. Then she put an arm around my shoulders. “Come inside. Daniel didn’t tell you everything.”

Inside, she poured tea. We sat at the long dining table, and Margaret folded her hands neatly in front of her.

“I am cutting Daniel out of the business and my will, and there is nothing you can say to convince me otherwise.”

“But—”

She gave me “the look,” but this time I couldn’t back down.

“Margaret, don’t give me that look.”

She blinked.

I continued. “I won’t pretend I wasn’t pleased when I heard the news, but if you cut Daniel off, he won’t be able to pay child support. Those are your grandchildren.”

Something shifted in her expression. “It’s good to see you’ve finally grown a backbone, Claire, but let me finish. Daniel didn’t tell you the most important part.”

“What do you mean?”

Margaret adjusted her teacup. “I’m not going to leave my grandchildren without support. You will now receive the same amount he was earning, paid directly to you from my personal account. For the children.”