Chapter 1

I spent twenty years taking care of my mother-in-law, Lorelei Fowler, who was in a vegetative state. All those years sucked the life out of me, leaving me a worn-out housewife.

But as soon as my brother-in-law, Orson Fowler, came back from overseas, he claimed all of Lorelei's property for himself.

My husband, Mallory Fowler, tried to reason with me. "He's my brother. It's tough for him out there on his own. Giving him the house is only fair."

I looked at these two, who were so entitled, and just laughed.

I pulled out the key to Lorelei's room and pressed it into Orson's palm.

I said, "Mom needs to be cleaned, turned over, massaged, and you'll have to deal with her bathroom needs every single day.

"Since you've inherited everything, I guess it's your turn to step up take care of her."

*****

The crystal chandelier in the living room cast a harsh light, making Orson's smug face gleam with satisfaction.

He clutched the brand-new property deed, its bright red cover a painful reminder of what I'd lost.

That was Lorelei's only house, which was the home we'd lived in for twenty years.

Now, it belonged to Orson, who had only just returned from abroad less than three days ago.

My husband, Mallory, stood off to the side, nervously rubbing his hands together like a kid who'd just been caught doing something wrong.

He couldn't even look me in the eye, his gaze darting away as he kept repeating those words that sent a chill straight to my bones.

"Lindsay, Orson's been out there all by himself. It's tough for him. As his brother and sister-in-law, we should help him out," Mallory said.

"This is my mom's house. It's only right that it goes to me," Orson said.

Orson waved the red property deed in the air, his tone flippant, like he was talking about something as trivial as the weather.

I found his words ridiculous.

I had been married to Mallory for twenty years. During the whole time, I had been the one taking care of his mother, Lorelei, who were in a vegetative state.

All my youth was spent in this house and wasted on Lorelei, lying there silent and helpless, draining the life out of me.

I used to be a bright, lively girl. Now I was just a worn-out woman, my face lined and sallow from years of hard living.

My hands, after soaking in disinfectant and cleaning up messes day after day, became rough, twisted, and stained.

Mallory, who was my husband, and Orson, who was my brother-in-law, actually split the property I deserved, like two executioners.

I looked at them and just laughed.

My laugh wasn't loud, but in the dead quiet of the living room, it cut through the air.

Mallory's face shifted. He shot me a nervous look, suddenly flustered.

"Lindsay, don't be like this. Let's just talk, okay?" he said.

Orson, meanwhile, looked downright impatient, his brows drawn tight.

"Mallory, look at her, what's with that attitude? She is so smug after getting all the perks. If it weren't for you, she wouldn't be living in a house this big," Orson snapped.

I didn't even bother responding. I strode straight to the cabinet by the entryway.

I yanked open the drawer and pulled out a heavy, clattering ring of keys.

The jangle of metal echoed, crisp, cold, and merciless.

I marched up to Orson. He looked at me, stunned, as I shoved the keys into his hand, the same hand still gripping the deed.

His hands were soft and pale. It was clear that he had never done a day's work.

His hands were nothing like mine, callused and marked from years of caregiving and cleaning.

"These are the keys to Mom's room, the medicine cabinet, and the basement therapy equipment storage," I said.

I looked at him, calm and steady, every word clear and deliberate.

Orson just stared at me, totally stunned and lost.

I pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper from my pocket and opened it up.

I'd spent the whole night putting this together.

I said, "This is Mom's care checklist.

"Every morning at six, you need to turn her over on time so she doesn't get bedsores. Don't be rough, or you'll mess up her muscles.

"At seven, wipe her down with warm water. Make sure to get all the creases and keep her dry.

"At eight, you've got to prep her liquid food. The recipe's right here. It has carrot puree, veggie juice, and minced meat.

"Don't mess up the ratios. Use a syringe and go slow through the nasal tube, or she'll choke for sure.

"Massage her at ten in the morning, three in the afternoon, and eight at night. Each time, forty-five minutes, head to toe, don't skip any joints."