He Put Me Second

At the reading of Eleanor Whitmore's will, the family learns that the postnuptial trust held under Adrian Whitmore's name names Paige Avery and her son Noah Whitmore as first-priority beneficiaries, not Adrian's wife Willa. Adrian confirms it without looking up, telling Willa she has been with him for years and is not short of anything. When Paige asks Willa to sign as Noah's guardianship witness, Willa remembers a previous life in which she signed, and this time she refuses, writing on the document that the spouse is present and declines.

The trust includes marital assets, so her acknowledgment cannot simply be skipped, and the attorney seals the file. Adrian's patience frays as Noah clings to him, and the household turns colder: a pearl necklace arrives marked for what he owes her, and the antique St. Christopher medal Eleanor once fastened around Willa's neck is found on Noah instead. At a dinner meant for their anniversary, the cake welcomes Noah home.

Willa begins to see how naturally Adrian gave her things, and how quickly he takes them back.