Emily’s eyes flashed.
‘Dad’s study has been untouched for years.’
The kitchen became so still that even Patricia looked uncomfortable.
I studied my daughter-in-law.
‘You were planning to put people in my husband’s study?’
‘It’s a room, Dorothy.’
‘It is my room in my house.’
Daniel stepped forward.
‘Enough, Emily.’
She turned toward him, stunned by the force in his voice.
He placed both hands on the table.
‘You lied to your family.
You lied to me.
You made plans for Mom’s house and expected me to pressure her into accepting them.’
‘I was trying to give everyone a beautiful Christmas.’
‘By making my mother work for thirty people?’
‘Twenty-five.’
The correction was so absurd that Robert looked down.
I closed the folder.
‘The cruise is not being canceled.’
Patricia folded her arms.
‘Then who is cooking?’
I looked at Emily.
‘The hostess.’
Emily laughed once, sharply.
‘Fine.
I’ll cater it.’
‘That is your choice.’
‘And everyone can still stay here.’
‘No.’
She blinked.
‘You said you were leaving us the house.’
‘I said that before I learned you planned to move relatives into my bedroom, my husband’s study, and every other room for seven nights.
You may host Christmas dinner here under written conditions.
No overnight guests.
No access to private rooms.
Professional cleaning paid in advance.
Any damage is your responsibility.’
‘Written conditions?’ Patricia repeated.
I removed the final document from the folder.
It was a temporary-use agreement prepared by my attorney, along with a list of house rules and the contact information for a cleaning company.
I had called him after seeing the messages.
Emily stared at the document.
‘You contacted a lawyer over Christmas?’
‘I contacted a lawyer because you were discussing taking over my home.’
‘This is insane.’
‘No.
This is a boundary with a signature line.’
Daniel read the first page.
The agreement permitted one gathering from noon until ten on Christmas Day.
It prohibited overnight stays, copying keys, entering locked rooms, moving furniture, and using my late husband’s belongings.
It required a professional cleaner the following morning and a refundable security deposit.
Emily’s eyes widened when she saw the amount.
‘Two thousand dollars?’
‘You invited twenty-five people.’
