“She said Dad owned half this house anyway and could force a sale.”

The kitchen went completely silent except for the low hum of the refrigerator motor in the corner.

Daniel reached out to grab Ava’s forearm, his voice rising in panic.

“Ava, stop talking.

You don’t know what you’re saying.”

Ava pulled her arm out of his grip and backed away until her back pressed against the hallway doorframe.

“You lied to her,” Ava said to Daniel.

“You lied to Mom, too.”