“Don’t hold back any legal notices,” I said.

Greg looked at my military logistics pin and nodded quietly.

“The bank doesn’t extend deadlines over family disagreements, Avery.”

“I don’t extend them either,” I said.

I got back to the lake estate at five o’clock in the evening as cold mist rolled off Lake Anne and covered the lawn.

Victoria sat on the covered veranda in a tall white wicker chair, turning her empty diamond ring setting on her finger again and again.

Chloe stood by the carved oak railing, tapping her long purple nails quickly on her phone screen.