“Sign the release, Clara,” Margaret said.

Her warmth vanished entirely.

Her voice went flat, cold, and heavy.

“It confirms that every past payment was a gift freely given, and it waives any future claims or money disputes against my estate.”

“I’m not signing any gift declaration,” I said.

“If you refuse to sign it, you prove everything Caroline has said about you,” Margaret said.

“You’re using money to control this family and to punish your mother.”

“I canceled the automatic transfer to protect my home and my daughter,” I said.