Denise looked confused for a fraction of a second, her eyes darting to Kelsey.

Then she smoothed her knit skirt and set her jaw.

“Your sister was trying to build a legacy,” my mother said.

Her voice was cold, dismissive.

“You have always been selfish about that cabin, Meredith.”

“She bought the land next door to put a hotel on it, Mom,” I said.

“Good for her,” my mother replied. “At least someone in this family has some ambition.”

My father remained silent, his hand resting on the back of the wooden pew.

He looked at the floor, refusing to meet my eyes.

The judge tapped his gavel once, a sharp sound that echoed off the high walls.

“That is enough,” Judge Whitaker said.

“I am delaying my final ruling on the partition of the Lane estate.”

He looked at the lawyers.

“I want a full investigation into this corporate entity and the proposed commercial easement.”

“Your Honor, our financing is contingent on a quick resolution,” Trevor’s lawyer argued.

“Then your financing will have to wait,” the judge said.

He stood up, his black robes rustling.