“You have spent your entire adult life hiding behind that uniform,” he said. “You have contributed nothing to this family’s standing.”

The words were familiar, but they still carried a dull sting.

“I have served my country for twenty-four years,” I said softly.

“You have worked in drafty offices and shuffled papers,” he said, dismissing my career with a wave of his hand I could almost see through the phone. “This is the one time you can actually be of use to us.”

I gripped the plastic of the receiver until my knuckles turned white.

“If you do not sign that transfer approval by midnight,” my father said, “do not bother showing your face at the estate again.”

I remained silent.

“I mean it, Evelyn,” he said. “I will have the lawyers remove you from the family trust by morning. You will be entirely on your own.”

“You would disown me over a transfer request?” I asked.

“I would disown you for refusing to support your sister’s future,” he said. “Caroline deserves this. Nathan deserves this. You will not ruin it out of spite.”