My stepmother called and told me, “You’re banned from the family beach house. I changed every lock.” She sounded almost delighted. I simply replied, “Thanks for the update.” What she didn’t know was that my mom had placed the house in a private trust under my name before she passed away.

would be standing somewhere in that beach house—one hand on her hip, manicured nails wrapped around a wineglass, eyes glittering with mean delight. “Everyone knows you can’t stand Madeline getting attention. And now you will never step foot in that house again. I made sure of it.”

My gaze drifted beyond the glass, past the city lights beginning to wake continue reading …