The Price of an Inheritance

photos w

in Ethan's vast house, a guest ro

photos of her and Ethan, taken years ago

ghing, young,

e wall

lpiece in the living room, were n

smiling EJ, and t

t Vanderbi

ad creep through her.

han that evening,

Ethan. Our

rittany thought... it was time for an

s voice rose. "Or yo

on't make

being a glorified nanny, of

y life is a scene, Ethan

later, with soft words

opped the

y and I make it official. A legal marri

ria

eath knell for any lingering

came not from Etha

x-year-old, had always resented Sarah. He'd

ession was a small, batter

ded on their hikes together. Her mother's la

t hidden, bu

him smashing it against the flo

s stupid toy!

der lay i

sound of her own choked sob

er's voi

hing w

to kindness, shattered by the son

the break

recorder, then at her own reflec

ger, hollow-eye

m

anymore. She would

ad to