Ten Days Before Christmas, I Overheard Her Plan—So I Quietly Changed Everything

didn’t we finalize it?” I asked.

Martin’s voice softened. “Because she died before our next appointment. And then you didn’t call.”

Guilt landed on my chest like a brick. Four years of avoidance. Four years of depression whispering that I didn’t deserve what I had, that looking at the paperwork would prove it, that the cottage was a gift I’d eventually continue reading …