Dad looked up at her slowly.
That was when he finally understood.
She hadn’t wanted him.
Not really.
She had wanted what she thought came with him.
The house. The money. The victory over Mom.
And now all of it was slipping away in front of three hundred people.
“There’s more,” Grandma said.
Valerie’s laugh was sharp.
“Of course there is.”
Grandma removed the next page.
“Notice of civil action for conversion of trust assets.”
Next.
“Petition to remove Jack Collins from any remaining authority over Chloe’s financial interests.”
Next.
“Referral of evidence to the district attorney regarding concealment of material evidence in the death of Sarah Collins.”
The vineyard went silent.
Dad stared at the ground.
Valerie whispered, “You evil old woman.”
Grandma didn’t blink.
“I learned from watching you.”
Then she pulled one final item from the box.
A photograph.
Dad, Valerie, and the toddler on the beach.
Valerie’s mask shattered.
“No.”
Grandma held it up.
“Valerie, would you like to tell everyone about Lily?”
A murmur spread.
Valerie backed away.
Dad whispered, “Eleanor, don’t.”
Grandma turned on him.
“You hid my granddaughter from me for twenty-four years.”
Gasps.
Dad closed his eyes.
Valerie pointed at him.