The next morning, I met Julie’s lawyer, Patricia Henderson. Her office was filled with files.
“Yes,” Patricia said gently, “Julie planned everything. She created a trust to protect Maria’s family for ten years. Your children cannot evict them.”
Relief washed over me.
“And she left you options,” Patricia continued. “But… she hoped you would choose the third.”
She slid a document toward me.
Option 3: Transfer ownership of the beach house to Maria’s family.
A smaller home nearby will be purchased for Howard using Julie’s insurance fund.
My breath caught.
Julie hadn’t only protected Maria.
She was protecting me—giving me a chance at the life she knew I needed: purpose, connection, belonging.
Patricia handed me a final envelope.
Howard, if you’re reading this, choose love. Choose belonging. Choose the family that chose me when ours no longer could.
There was only one decision left.
When I returned to the beach house, Marcus and Diana’s cars were already in the driveway. Through the window, I saw them standing stiffly in the kitchen while Maria poured coffee.
The tension was suffocating.
