I shut my eyes. Carol turned toward the window.

“They’re saying I signed documents,” Bradley went on quickly. “That Mom approved things. But I didn’t know it was structured like that. Dad, I’m in trouble.”

“Are you?”

“These people are serious. They’re threatening to take the villa, and if that happens I don’t know what else they’ll do. I need help.”

Help. Coming from him, the word carried a different meaning. Not family. Not remorse. Not responsibility. I pictured the movers removing my belongings.

Bradley’s grin during the reading. His forty-eight-hour deadline. His forged signature on the withdrawals. Helen weeping alone in this cabin, using the last of her strength to build a plan.