My son and daughter-in-law laughed when I walked into the courtroom. “Ha-ha, now we’re going to leave her with nothing,” Daniel whispered, certain the bruises they had put on my body would convince the judge I was confused, unstable, and hurting myself, but they had forgotten one important thing about me.

So did everyone near us.

“The first attempt was to access my investment account. It failed. The second was a request for information regarding my life insurance policies. That succeeded.”

I let the room absorb that.

“The third was submitted to a real estate broker.”

Judge Mercer frowned.

“For what purpose?”

“To prepare my house for sale.”

Vanessa began shaking her head.

“No. No, he told me Eleanor agreed to move.”

Daniel whispered, “Shut up.”

Every eye turned toward them.

Vanessa stared at her husband.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

“You said she agreed to the condo.”

Judge Mercer spoke.

“Mrs. Vance?”

I answered him.

“I never agreed to sell my home.”

Daniel’s voice rose.

“You can’t live there forever!”

And there it was.

Not concern.

Not confusion.

Ownership.

He had already decided my house was his future property.

I looked at Judge Mercer.

“My home is currently valued at approximately 1.8 million dollars.”

Even Curtis turned toward Daniel at that number.

“The savings and brokerage accounts they sought access to total approximately 2.4 million.”

Vanessa’s lips parted.

That surprised her too.