“Your father’s lawyers cleared that title decades ago.”

He looked at me, his expression softening.

“Eleanor, your husband loved you very much.”

“He knew you would never ask for anything for yourself.”

“He knew you would let these two walk over you just to avoid a fight.”

“So he took the choice out of your hands.”

I felt a tear slip down my cheek, warm and wet.

I wiped it away with the back of my hand, keeping my eyes on the blue paper.

“What did he do, Thomas?” I asked.

Mr. Vance cleared his throat and began to read from the document.

“Section three, paragraph one,” he read.

“Regarding the family estate, including the main house, the surrounding twelve hundred acres of timberland, and all personal property therein.”

Victoria made a small, choked sound in her throat.

“And regarding the Holloway Holding Company,” Mr. Vance continued, “including all shares, voting rights, and corporate assets.”

“The entire estate is hereby transferred.”

“In its entirety.”

“To my beloved wife, Eleanor.”

“She is to have sole ownership and total control of all assets, effective immediately.”