THE STERLING INHERITANCE

HAP

V: I

tterly cold. I sat in my decade-old Honda in the circular driveway, watching the lights glow in the dining room windows. Vi

tes early, which meant I would be the first one seated.

not like what my sisters would arrive with, but the clerk

already dressed for dinner in a cream silk blouse and pe

wait

and walked away before I could finish my se

ays stood slightly behind my sisters, past the piano no one played anymore, into

I offered, holdi

lly looking. "That's nice, de

perfectly aligned. Everything in the Ashford house had its place. In

rk this wee

ding more oversight. Richard!" She raised

the hospital. We had

eldest sister swept into the room, all confidence a

n a bottle of wine that probably cost more t

ways so th

, holding my cheaper bot

ce suit even at home. He kissed Mother's cheek, nodded at Vivie

Celeste?"

ing into her chair with practiced grac

l. Isla, sit down. We wo

itchen, easiest to get up from when something

elf scotch. "Tell me about the Meridian c

le Mother listened with rapt attention. I watched them, the way they leaned forward

her important cases, Celeste eventually arriving wi

ong-term patients this week," I said when Vivienne paused

me. "Vivienne, didn't you say your firm handles medical mal

y. I can make a

ng, Isla?" Father asked absent

I was saying, t

paint-stained jeans and a leather jacket, her auburn

e went tight. "You could

al piece about corporate greed and environmental destruction. The artist is brilliant

I ma

for her. "Everyone has an opinion, everyone's offended by something. Last week someo

to shock people,"

art. It should make

viability. Mother chimed in about the pieces she'd seen at a rece

ler pieces, chewing slowly, trying to

ing quiet," Cele

me. I froze, fork h

st list

listen. Don't y

I

ster," Mother said. "Some peop

as the polite wo

," I said, voice smaller than I

ne. "I need to show you the invitation to the Wellington charity ga

o me," Viv

The salmon tasted li

tory. Celeste's upcoming gallery opening. Father's golf handicap. Mother's committee work. M

I wa

ourselves," Mother said, refilling her wine gl

pediatric oncology. Countless nights holding scared children's hands

good,"

s nice

even glance up

oved on to discussing some mutual

oom staring at my reflection. Same brown hair, same hazel eyes, same forgetta

ed. An email

d writt

r E.

, by the way. I know I've said i

, feeling something w

cation homes. Vivienne was considering Tuscany. Celeste wan

parents hang on their every word, and felt the fami

my own fa

I'd ever