Chapter 2 - THE DEATH THEY KEPT SECRET

Cassandra stared at Gabriel through wet strands of hair.

“What did you just say?”

Gabriel’s face remained cold.

“Grandfather died six days ago.”

“You’re lying.”

“He died peacefully at Vale House.”

Cassandra turned toward Elena.

“You knew?”

Elena shook her head.

“Not until yesterday.”

Cassandra laughed.

The sound came out broken.

“You held a family death from me?”

Gabriel walked back inside.

“You blocked Grandfather’s calls for four months.”

“He stopped supporting you financially.”

“You told everyone he was senile.”

Cassandra climbed from the pool.

Her bare foot struck the stone patio.

“You had no right to keep this from me.”

Gabriel looked at her.

“His attorneys followed his instructions.”

“What instructions?”

“To notify beneficiaries at the formal reading.”

Cassandra wrapped both arms around herself.

“When?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

Her anger returned immediately.

“Then none of this matters.”

“It matters.”

“You cannot lose an inheritance before the will is read.”

Gabriel glanced toward the security cameras.

“It isn’t a will.”

“It’s a living trust.”

“The amendment took effect while Theodore was alive.”

Cassandra said nothing.

Elena slowly stood.

Her palm was red where the heel had pressed against it.

Gabriel reached for her.

She let him support her.

Cassandra saw the movement and snapped.

“You always choose her.”

Gabriel looked surprised.

“She’s my wife.”

“I’m your sister.”

“That does not give you permission to hurt her.”

“You threw me into a pool.”

“You were hurting her.”

Cassandra stepped closer.

“You think Grandfather loved her more than his own granddaughter?”

Elena finally spoke.

“He didn’t.”

Cassandra stopped.

Elena looked at the broken memory box.

“He was afraid of what you would do after he died.”

Gabriel turned toward her.

Elena had not told him everything Theodore said during their final meeting.

Three months earlier, the old man had called Elena privately.

He had asked whether Cassandra had ever threatened her.

Elena lied.

She said no.

Theodore knew immediately.

He had spent ninety-one years watching people lie politely.

Before Elena left, he made one request.

“If Cassandra ever forces you to choose between peace and protecting yourself, protect yourself.”

At the time, Elena thought he meant emotionally.

Now she understood.

Cassandra walked inside.

Her wet feet left dark marks across the marble.

“I want the trust documents.”

Gabriel shook his head.

“They are with Theodore’s attorney.”

“Who?”

“Elijah Mercer.”

Cassandra froze again.

Elijah Mercer was not an ordinary estate lawyer.

He was one of the most feared trust litigators in California.

And he had despised Cassandra for years.

Her phone rang.

She looked at the screen.

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For the first time since leaving the pool, Cassandra looked truly frightened.