My mother stood outside in church sandals looking pleased with herself. My father waited in the entry. Savannah drifted out of the kitchen in an oversized sweatshirt, face scrubbed clean in that calculated way she used when she wanted to look fragile instead of responsible. Brent stood near the fireplace taking photos.
“Everyone inside,” I said.
They followed.
We gathered in the living room. My mother folded her hands like this was mediation. Dad stayed standing. Savannah leaned against the island. Brent hovered.
Mom started first. “We made a hard choice, Ethan, but family comes first.”
I looked at her. “You sold a house that doesn’t belong to you.”
Her smile twitched. “Don’t be childish.”
“It’s your house,” Savannah snapped. “Everyone knows that.”
“No,” I said. “It’s a property controlled by Blue Cedar Holdings LLC under a master lease with a recorded option to purchase. My name isn’t on the title. It isn’t on the lease. The deed you signed is worthless.”
Brent stopped pretending not to listen.
Savannah rolled her eyes. “Nobody cares about your little paperwork game.”
I turned to her. “Did you use the wire to pay off your debt?”
“That’s none of your business.”