There was nothing left to say that the four words had not already said.

Chapter 9 — The Attorney

The next morning Marisol met with a real estate and family law attorney named Priya Nair, in a bright downtown office overlooking the river.

She brought a thick folder: the recorded deed, the inheritance documents, tax statements, renovation receipts, utility records, insurance payments, and five full years of household financial statements.

Priya reviewed every document carefully before looking up over her reading glasses.

“Before we discuss any legal strategy,” she said gently, “tell me what outcome you actually want.”