Chapter 17 - The New MercerI sold my remaining interest in old Mercer family investments.
Relatives complained.
“You’re abandoning legacy.”
No.
I was separating identity from assets.
With part of my own money—not Juniper’s trust—I created a small foundation in Mara’s name.
Purpose:
Support widowed parents with childcare and legal planning.
Why?
Because vulnerability after loss had allowed Dad to gain control of my finances.
Other families faced similar risks without millions involved.
Naomi helped build safeguards.
Independent board.
No Mercer family automatic seats.
Willa joined after returning from Seattle years later.
Tabitha was not asked.
She understood.
The foundation helped parents create guardianship plans, update wills, understand powers of attorney, and get temporary childcare support.
No glamour.
Useful.
At opening, Juniper was eight.
She cut the ribbon badly.
Crooked.
Perfect.
A reporter asked:
“Is this inspired by your family scandal?”
I answered:
“It’s inspired by the problems we discovered afterward.”
Not turning pain into destiny.
May you like
Turning lessons into infrastructure.
Mara would approve.
Related Stories
