My family laughed when my cousin pushed me into a cake, but the ER doctor’s CT scan proved I was struck before I fell.

The four uniformed officers who had been waiting outside stormed through the double doors, their heavy boots thudding across the hardwood floor.

"Garrett Miller, turn around and place your hands behind your back," Hayes ordered, stepping forward with her cuffs ready.

Garrett looked around wildly, his chest heaving, eyeing the patio doors. "I didn't mean to hurt him that bad! It was supposed to be a concussion! Just enough to keep him quiet for forty-eight hours!"

An officer slammed Garrett against the wall, twisting his arms back and clicking the steel cuffs shut around his wrists with a cold, metallic snap. Garrett groaned in pain, his forehead pressed against the wallpaper.

"Marlene Morgan. Kendra Morgan," Detective Hayes continued, pulling out a second and third pair of cuffs. "You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit aggravated battery, grand larceny, and elder financial exploitation."

"You can't arrest me!" Marlene screamed, thrashing as an officer grabbed her wrists. "Mother! Tell them to stop! I’m your daughter! I’m an heir to Morgan Supply! You can't let them take me in front of everyone!"

Grandma Evelyn stood completely still, leaning on her cane, her silver hair catching the light like a crown. Her eyes were devoid of tears now. There was only the absolute, unyielding resolve of a woman who had built an empire from dirt.

"You ceased being my daughter the moment you stole from me," Grandma said quietly. "And you became an enemy the moment you tried to kill the boy who stood by my side."

"I'll fight this!" Marlene shrieked, tears cutting through her mascara as she was marched toward the foyer. "You have no proof of the intent! My lawyers will rip this apart! You hear me, Evelyn? You won't live long enough to see me convicted!"

Kendra was sobbing uncontrollably, her designer dress rumpled, her mascara smeared across her cheeks as she was led out behind her mother. "Lee, please! Tell them it was a prank! Lee, I’m your cousin! We grew up together!"

I didn't say a word. I simply stood beside Grandma, watching them get escorted out into the flashing red and blue lights of the police cruisers illuminating the driveway.

The drawing room was left in stunned silence. The remaining relatives sat frozen, terrified to speak, terrified to look Grandma in the eye.

Arthur Vance turned to Grandma. "I’ll file the emergency restraining orders and finalize the disinheritance paperwork by eight a.m. tomorrow, Evelyn. Marlene and Kendra are completely severed from the trusts. Forever."

Grandma let out a long, shuddering breath, turning to me and wrapping her frail arm around my shoulder. "It’s over, Lee. We won."