“If you want dinner, lick it off the floor!” My son-in-law mocked me after knocking my plate down, while making a toast at dinner. I stood up, adjusted my coat, and said three words that left him completely terrified!

“Mrs. Hale,” he began professionally, “we’ve prepared paperwork for a medical guardianship review.”

Victor’s smile returned instantly.

“For your own safety.”

There it was.

The next step.

Declare me incompetent.

Take the house.

Control the trust.

Blame everything on dementia.

I almost admired how quickly he moved.

Almost.

“You should leave,” I said calmly.

Victor stepped closer. His cologne filled the room like smoke.

“Listen carefully,” he murmured. “You’re old. Claire is weak. I’m the only person in this family who knows how to win.”