“But I can expedite the review,” he said. “I can have your funds released by nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

“On what condition?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

“Sign the release for your grandmother’s estate,” my father said. “Allow the trust to consolidate Brandon’s debts.”

“No,” I said immediately.

“Ava, think about your future,” my mother pleaded, descending the stairs one slow step at a time. “If Brandon’s business goes under, we all go under. Your father’s position at the bank, our home, everything.”

“You want me to sacrifice my life to pay for his lies,” I said, pointing at Brandon.

Brandon looked down at his wet shoes, refusing to meet my eyes.

“It is a temporary loan from the estate,” my mother said, reaching the bottom of the steps. “We will pay you back, sweetie. I promise.”

“With what money, Mom?” I asked. “You’re already leveraged to the hilt.”

Arthur cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention back to him.

“I must advise you, Ava, do not sign anything,” Arthur said. “Your grandmother’s wishes were explicit. The trust belongs to you.”