My mother hesitated before answering.

“It’s remote,” she admitted carefully. “Difficult to maintain. Maybe it would make more sense if Skylar managed that property too.”

I stared at her.

“She has real estate connections,” my mother continued. “You’re focused on the military. Property management isn’t really your world.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“So you want me to hand over the only thing Dad left me?”

She folded her hands tightly in her lap.

“It would just make things easier for the family.”

I shook my head slowly.

“No. Easier for Skylar.”

My mother’s expression hardened immediately.

“Don’t speak to me like that, Riley. I’m trying to keep this family together.”

I stood.

“No, Mom. You’re trying to keep Skylar happy. Those aren’t the same thing.”

She flinched like I’d slapped her.

Without another word, she grabbed her purse and walked toward the door.

“Just think about what I said,” she murmured before leaving.

When the door shut behind her, I sat back down and realized my hands were shaking.

I had faced armed men overseas without fear.

But nothing compared to being dismissed by my own mother.