Helen gasped, reaching out to clutch Arthur’s arm.

“You can’t do that to your own parents,” Helen cried. “We raised you!”

“You betrayed me,” I said. “You helped Gavin forge my signatures and steal my life’s work.”

Daniel stepped closer to me, his shoulder tense and protective against mine.

“We have the legal filings ready, Arthur,” Daniel said, his voice surprisingly steady. “The local sheriff’s department will deliver the formal notices by tomorrow morning.”

Arthur took a sudden step forward, his eyes wild. “You ungrateful little—”

“Don’t touch her,” Daniel said, stepping directly between us.

I didn’t wait to see Arthur’s next move.

I grabbed Daniel’s arm and pulled him toward the side exit, the old wooden coal-chute door that led to the driveway.

Daniel shoved the rusty bolt back, and the heavy door creaked open.

We scrambled up the concrete steps into the cool, salty night air.

The coastal wind hit my face, carrying the scent of low tide and imminent rain.

Behind us, I heard Brooke’s voice rising in an angry, panicked scream from the basement door.