ON THE DAY I MARRIED A MAN FOUR DECADES OLDER THAN ME, AN ELDERLY WOMAN PULLED ME ASIDE AND MURMURED, “BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR YOUR HONEYMOON, LOOK INSIDE THE BOTTOM DRAWER OF HIS DESK… OR YOU MAY REGRET IT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.”

One weekend, he took them out. When they returned, they were full of excitement.

“Mom, we met a really nice lady!” Ava said.

“She had so many toys,” Mason added. “Games and puzzles everywhere!”

I glanced at Richard.

“A friend of mine works with children,” he explained smoothly. “I thought they’d enjoy it.”

I didn’t question it. I wish I had.

Soon after, he began discussing education—private schools with better opportunities.

“That would be incredible for them,” I admitted.

“I’ll take care of everything,” he assured me. “Money isn’t a concern.”…continue reading …