He turned on his heel and marched down the steps.

He got into his SUV, threw it into reverse, and backed down the driveway, his tires spinning on the wet gravel.

I went back inside the cabin, my hands trembling as I locked the door.

The heat from the hearth had faded, and the living room felt cold.

I sat on the sofa, pulling a woolen blanket over my shoulders.

A few minutes later, my phone vibrated against the wooden coffee table.

I picked it up, expecting a message from my lawyer.

Instead, Kelsey’s name flashed on the screen.

I hesitated, then answered.

“Meredith?” she said.

Her voice was raw, and I could hear her breathing heavily.

“I’m here, Kelsey,” I said.

“Why are you doing this to us?” she sobbed.

“Trevor just called me from the road.”

“He said you’re trying to kill the project.”

“Kelsey, the project is illegal,” I said.

“The septic system would ruin the creek.”

“I don’t care about the creek!” she screamed into the phone.

“You don’t understand what is happening here.”

“We are in debt, Meredith.”

“Deep debt.”