“She has connections with real estate firms and could make it valuable,” she added. “You have your career in the military, so you don’t really need to worry about property.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “So you’re suggesting I just hand over the one thing Dad left me?”

She folded her hands in her lap and avoided looking at me. “It would be much simpler for everyone if Skylar just treated it as a family asset.”

I shook my head slowly. “No, she thinks of it as her asset, and apparently you agree with her.”

My mother’s face hardened. “Don’t talk to me like that, Riley. I’m only trying to keep this family together.”

I stood up and kept my voice steady. “No, Mom, you’re just trying to keep Skylar happy. There’s a very big difference between the two.”