MY PARENTS KICKED ME OUT AT THANKSGIVING—BUT THEY FORGOT THE HOUSE THEY WERE LIVING IN ALREADY BELONGED TO ME.

For several seconds, I couldn't move.

Derek stood on Tessa's porch, staring at the letter in my hand.

"What happened that night?"" I asked.

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I was just following Dad's instructions.""

"What instructions?""

"He told me to find Grandma's property papers.""

I stared at him.

"Why?""

"Because he needed the original deed.""

"And you went into her bedroom?""

Derek looked toward the street.

"She wasn't supposed to be awake.""

My stomach turned.

"Explain.""

He lowered his voice.

"She was at the hospice facility. Dad said there was a document in her house that would fix everything. He gave me a key.""

"Fix what?""

"The property transfer.""

I tightened my grip on the letter.

"And Grandma caught you?""

He nodded.

"She was sitting in bed when I walked in. She asked me what I was doing.""

"What did you tell her?""

"That I was looking for her insurance papers.""

"And she believed you?""

He shook his head.

"No. She knew.""

I looked down at the envelope.

The letter was addressed to Derek, but Grandma had apparently never sent it.

"Why do you have this?""

"Because I took it from her desk.""

I stared at him.

"You stole a letter from Grandma?""

"Can you stop judging me for one second?""

I let out a disbelieving laugh.

"You're standing on my friend's porch holding a letter that proves you were involved in stealing my house. What exactly should I do?""

Derek stepped closer.

"Just read it.""

I unfolded the paper again.

Dear Derek,

I know what your father has asked you to do, and I need you to understand that I know the truth.

You entered my home searching for my original property deed. You thought I was sleeping, but I heard you opening the desk drawers.

Your father has convinced you that everything I own belongs to him eventually. That is not true.

I have made my wishes clear. The house belongs to Avery.

Please don't allow your father to turn you against your sister. She has done nothing to deserve this.

At the bottom, Grandma had written:

I am giving you one final opportunity to do the right thing.

My eyes filled with tears.

I looked at Derek.

"Did you show this to Dad?""

He nodded.

"And?""

"He told me to destroy it.""

"Did you?""

Derek hesitated.

"No.""

"Why not?""

He looked down.

"Because she was my grandmother too.""

I almost laughed.

"You were perfectly comfortable taking $310,000 from her house.""

"I didn't know the loan was in your name!""

"But you knew the house wasn't yours.""

He didn't respond.

I held up the letter.

"What happened after Grandma caught you?""

Derek swallowed.

"She called Dad.""

"What did he do?""

"He came over. They argued.""

"About what?""

"The deed.""

"And then?""

Derek looked at the floor.

"He told me to leave.""

"That's it?""

"Yes.""

I studied his face.

"You're lying.""

His eyes flashed.

"Why would I lie?""

"Because you've spent six years benefiting from this.""

He stepped backward.

"Fine. Believe whatever you want.""

He turned toward his truck.

Before he reached the driveway, I called after him.

"Did Grandma die that night?""

He stopped.

His shoulders stiffened.

Then he looked back.

"No.""

I felt my pulse quicken.

"Then what happened?""

He opened his mouth.

But no words came.

Finally, he said:

"Ask Mom.""

He got into his truck and drove away.

I stood there holding Grandma's letter.

Tessa came outside.

"That was your brother?""

"Yes.""

"What did he tell you?""

I handed her the letter.

She read it silently.

Then she looked at me.

"Avery, this isn't just about money anymore.""

"I know.""

I called Margaret.

She answered almost immediately.

"Did you receive the documents I sent?""

"Yes. But something new happened. Derek came here.""

I explained everything.

When I finished, Margaret became quiet.

"Did he say your grandmother died that night?""

"No. He said she didn't.""

"That matches the records I have.""

I sat down.

"What records?""

Margaret took a breath.

"On March twenty-second, June was transferred from hospice back to St. Mary's Medical Center after experiencing complications.""

"And?""

"She died on March twenty-fourth.""

I stared at the wall.

"Why was the death certificate dated March fourteenth?""

"That's one of the questions we're trying to resolve.""

"Can a death certificate be changed?""

"An amendment can be filed under certain circumstances. But this appears to involve a much more serious discrepancy.""

I looked at Grandma's letter again.

"She knew Derek was involved.""

"She did. June told me she wanted to protect both you and Derek, but she believed your father had too much influence over him.""

I rubbed my forehead.

"Margaret, is there any possibility Dad had something to do with her death?""

There was a long silence.

"I don't want to speculate without evidence. However, I do want you to understand that June was attempting to report financial misconduct shortly before she died.""

My stomach tightened.

"Was there an investigation?""

"Not that I could find. Your father told the authorities that the family had agreed not to pursue any legal matters during a difficult time.""

I stared at the photographs on the coffee table.

Six years of lies.

Six years of pretending my grandmother had left nothing behind.

Six years of paying for a property that had already been paid off.

I felt anger rise through me.

"Then we're going to find out everything.""

Margaret agreed.

"There's another step. I want you to visit the county records office Monday morning. We need the complete chain of title, including the original submission documents.""

"All right.""

"And Avery?""

"Yes?""

"Bring that letter from Derek. Don't give it to your parents.""

"I won't.""

After the call ended, Tessa made me tea.

We sat together in the living room while rain tapped against the windows.

I barely touched my cup.

At 9:17, Ivy finally called.

I answered immediately.

"Ivy! Are you okay?""

"Yes. I'm at the library.""

"Why aren't you home?""

"Because Dad and Mom are fighting.""

I sat forward.

"About what?""

"About you.""

"What did they say?""

Ivy hesitated.

"Mom found out Derek went to see you. Dad thinks he gave you something.""

"He did.""

"What?""

"Grandma's letter.""

I heard Ivy exhale.

"Then you know she caught him.""

"Yes. What else do you know?""

She was silent.

"Ivy?""

"There's something I didn't tell you.""

My stomach tightened.

"What?""

"I found a voicemail on Grandma's old phone. Dad kept it in his desk.""

"From who?""

"Grandma.""

"When?""

"March twenty-third. The day before she died.""

I gripped the phone.

"Did you listen to it?""

"Yes.""

"What did she say?""

Ivy's voice began shaking.

"She said she was afraid Dad was coming back to the hospital to make her sign something.""

I closed my eyes.

"What else?""

"She said she had changed her mind about one part of the will.""

I froze.

"What part?""

"She said she wanted Margaret to give you something in person.""

"What?""

"I don't know. The voicemail cuts off.""

"Do you still have the recording?""

"Yes. I copied it to my tablet.""

"Send it to me.""

A few seconds later, a file appeared.

*GRANDMA_JUNE_FINAL_MESSAGE.mp3*

I pressed play.

Static crackled.

Then Grandma's weak but unmistakable voice filled the room.

"Avery, sweetheart, if Margaret gives you this message, please remember that I love you.""

I covered my mouth.

Her voice continued.

"The house is yours, but the house is not the only thing your grandfather and I left for you.""

A pause.

Then I heard her breathing.

"There is a safe deposit box at First National Bank. Your father doesn't know about it. The key is hidden where I always kept my most precious things.""

I looked at the wooden jewelry box on the table.

The recording continued.

"Inside that box, you'll find the original documents. You'll understand why Richard is so desperate to take the house.""

Another pause.

Then Grandma spoke her final words.

"And Avery, whatever happens, don't let your father get the blue folder.""

The recording ended.

I stared at the screen.

"What's the blue folder?"" I whispered.

Ivy began crying.

"Avery, I know where it is.""

"Where?""