Chapter 2

Captain Roberts looked startled, but his expression quickly softened with professional sympathy. "Of course, Mrs. Chadwick. Anything. I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," I said, cutting through the pleasantries. "I need to know about Andrew's benefits. The union benefits. Line-of-duty."

Behind me, I could feel Debra's fury radiating like heat from a furnace. She was already moving toward us, her face a thundercloud.

"Gabrielle, this is not the time or place!" she whispered harshly, grabbing my arm. "You're overwrought. Captain, my daughter-in-law is not herself."

I pulled my arm free. "I am perfectly myself, Debra. And this is exactly the time and place."

I turned back to the Captain, my eyes locking with his. "In my first life... I mean, I was told you handled these things. I need to know everything. The union death benefit, the life insurance, any funds for my daughter, Molly."

Captain Roberts's brow furrowed at my strange phrasing, but he nodded. "Yes, of course. Andrew had a substantial policy through the union, and there's a federal benefit as well. And Molly is eligible for a full scholarship fund. I was going to contact you tomorrow to set up a meeting."

"No," Debra interjected, her voice tight with panic. "I'll handle it. Gabrielle is in no state to deal with paperwork."

"I am in a perfect state," I said, my voice ringing with an authority that surprised even me. "Captain Roberts, please disregard any instructions from my mother-in-law. All communication regarding my husband's benefits will come directly to me. Is that understood?"

The Captain looked from my determined face to Debra's sputtering one. He was a man who understood chain of command. "Understood, Mrs. Chadwick. I'll call you directly tomorrow morning to schedule."

"Thank you," I said.

The rest of the funeral was a blur of false sympathy and veiled threats. At the reception back at the Chadwick house, the pressure campaign began. Aunts and uncles, cousins I barely knew, all cornered me.

"You have to stay here, Gabrielle. Who will look after poor Barney and Debra?"

"It's your duty. Andrew would have wanted it."

"They're going to treat you like their own daughter. You'll be one big, happy family."

I let them talk, a cold smile fixed on my face. Finally, when the room was full, Debra raised a glass. "A toast," she said, "to Gabrielle. For promising to stay and honor Andrew's memory by caring for his loving parents."

The room erupted in supportive murmurs.

I didn't stand. I just raised my voice slightly. "I made no such promise."

Silence fell.

I looked directly at Debra. "I will be making my own arrangements for myself and my daughter."

Wesley, my useless brother-in-law, slammed his beer bottle on the table. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? After everything Mom and Dad have done for you?"

"What have they done, Wesley?" I asked, my voice dangerously soft. "Offered me a lifetime of unpaid labor? Is that the deal?"

An aunt chimed in, "Gabrielle, that's no way to talk! They're grieving!"

"So am I," I shot back. "And I'm also the one who has to raise a child alone. Or did everyone forget about Molly?" I looked at Wendy, my entitled sister-in-law. "Wendy, you've always said how much you resent me getting all the sympathy. Here's your chance. You can take over caring for your parents."

Wendy's face turned a blotchy red. "That's... that's not my responsibility!"

"Exactly," I said, standing up. "Wesley, you want to be a big shot influencer, right? Why don't you start by supporting your own family instead of expecting me to do it?"

Wesley lunged to his feet. "You bitch! Get out of our house!"

I smiled. It was a real smile this time. "Gladly."

I turned and walked toward the stairs. "Molly, honey, let's go pack our bags."

Panic exploded on Debra's face. The money. She could see the money walking out the door.

"Wait!" she shrieked. "Wesley, you apologize to your sister-in-law this instant! Apologize!"

The mask was gone. All that was left was the greedy, desperate woman I knew so well. Wesley, confused but obedient, stammered out an apology.

I turned back, my face a blank slate. "Fine. We'll stay. For now."

I went upstairs, not to pack, but to plan. The first battle was won. The war was just beginning.