She turned to leave, but before she reached the garden gate, she landed one final, cruel blow.

“You really should start packing, because Calvin and I are going to remodel the second we move in.”

“We’ll start by ripping out these old-fashioned rosebushes, since everything here needs a more modern look.”

Her heels clicked away down the stone path until she disappeared from sight.

I looked down at the white flowers and realized I’d accidentally crushed several delicate petals with my muddy hand.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I knew by heart.

“Attorney Penelope, it’s me,” I said the moment she picked up. “Tabitha just came here to threaten me.”

Her professional tone shifted instantly to one of deep concern.

“What exactly did she say to you, Paige?”

“She said exactly what we were afraid of, so I need to know if you can come over right now.”

“I’m on my way,” she replied firmly, “and you shouldn’t worry, because your father thought much further ahead than any of them.”