Chapter 3

"Grace. Quinn. I've seen a lot in my years, but today takes it."

"The old saying holds true — when it matters, it's the son you can count on."

Grace's jaw tightened, but she looked down and said nothing.

I smiled. "Uncle Robert, that's an interesting take. Mom just handed me this card in front of everyone and named me specifically."

"And now I'm the one voluntarily offering to hand it to Liam and split it fairly between the three of us — and somehow that makes me the ungrateful daughter while Liam's the reliable son?"

Uncle Robert sputtered, clutching his chest.

"Quinn, stop this!" Aunt Patricia rushed to steady him, then turned on me. "Everyone can see what you're doing. You came in here to start a fight."

"Yes," I said. "I did."

I turned to Mom. "But the reason I did — you know better than anyone. Why don't you explain it to them?"

Mom looked up. Her eyes were red.

"My darling, I know I haven't done enough. I know I can't give you more than this."

"But I put that money in your hands because I was worried about you. You're not married yet. Your sister has a husband, a family — she'll be okay. Your brother has a wife, they just had their second child."

"You're on your own. I was afraid that after I was gone, you'd have no one in your corner. That you'd get pushed around. That you wouldn't get your fair share…"

She dabbed at her eyes. "I did it because I love you…"

A murmur moved through the room. Heads shook. Tongues clicked.

"She pours everything into that girl, and this is what she gets back—"

"Honestly, it would've been better if—"

I tuned it out. I watched my mother cry her practiced tears, listened to the chorus of condemnation around me, and felt nothing.

"Okay," I said. "Mom — I'm sorry. I was out of line. The way I spoke to you was wrong, and I apologize."

Mom blinked. She looked at me like she didn't recognize me. Like she couldn't figure out why I'd suddenly softened.

Aunt Patricia sniffed. "First sensible thing she's said all day."

I turned to Uncle Robert. "But Uncle, it isn't fair. Mom handing everything to me leaves Liam and Grace with nothing."

"When Dad passed, he said his estate should be divided equally among the three of us. I have no right to take it all. That's why I wanted to settle this clearly, in front of the family."

"So that after Mom is gone, there's no room for conflict."

Uncle Robert went quiet.

Aunt Patricia murmured, "She's not wrong, actually…"

He cleared his throat. "Well then. Perhaps it would be best to—"

"No."

Mom sat straight up. The word came out sharp and final.

The whole room turned.

She caught herself. Smiled awkwardly. "Quinn, you…"

"Mom." I cut her off. "I love you, and I love Liam and Grace. So why won't you let me share this with them?"

The color drained from her face. She opened and closed her mouth several times.

"Because… because, Quinn, wait until after I'm gone, and then you can divide it however you want. If you do it now, I won't be able to rest…"

It was a weak excuse. Even Uncle Robert and Aunt Patricia, who'd been firmly in Mom's corner all afternoon, looked uncertain.

I let out a short laugh, stepped forward, and grabbed the phone off Mom's nightstand.

She lunged for it. I caught her wrist and forced it unlocked.

"Quinn!" The room erupted. "What are you doing?"

"Aren't you curious?" I said. "Why does Mom need to wait until she's dead before I divide this money?"

I held the screen out toward them. "That's why."

Everyone leaned in. And the moment they saw it, the room went silent — and then exploded.