I reached into my pocket, pulled out my key, and inserted it into the lock.

The lock clicked open.

I pushed the door open and stepped into the quiet foyer.

A warm light spilled from the doorway of the formal living room.

“Ava?” my mother’s voice called out from the living room.

“Is that you?”

I didn’t answer.

I walked toward the light, Arthur’s heavy footsteps echoing behind me.

My mother was sitting on the beige velvet sofa, a cup of tea in her hand.

She looked up, her expression shifting from annoyance to surprise when she saw Arthur.

“Arthur?” she said, setting her cup down on the glass table. “What are you doing here?”

“We are here to discuss your mother’s estate, Eleanor,” Arthur said, his voice flat.

From the hallway leading to the kitchen, my father walked in.

He had changed out of his wet coat, but his face was still flushed.

“What is the meaning of this?” my father demanded, glaring at me.

“I told you to stay away from the university, Ava.”

“And you brought her lawyer?” he sneered, looking at Arthur. “You have no standing here, Pendelton.”