I rubbed my forehead, the tension blooming behind my eyes.

“How much debt, Kelsey?” I asked.

“We leveraged the house,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

“And Trevor took out a personal loan from some investors in Charlotte.”

“If this development doesn’t start construction by the end of the month, we default.”

“We will lose everything.”

“That was Trevor’s choice,” I said.

“He shouldn’t have risked your home on an illegal build.”

“He did it for us!” she yelled.

“He did it so we could finally have something of our own.”

“Please, Meredith.”

“You have always had the cabin.”

“You have always had Dad’s favor, even if you don’t think so.”

“Now you’re taking this away from me.”

“I’m not doing this to hurt you,” I said.

“But I cannot sign that easement.”

“If you don’t,” Kelsey said, her voice dropping to a desperate, shaking whisper.

“My marriage is over.”

“Trevor told me tonight that if the project fails, he is leaving.”

“He said he can’t be tied to a family that ruins his life.”

“Please, Meredith, I’m begging you.”

“Just sign the papers.”