My stepmother called and told me, “You’re banned from the family beach house. I changed every lock.” She sounded almost delighted. I simply replied, “Thanks for the update.” What she didn’t know was that my mom had placed the house in a private trust under my name before she passed away.

I also don’t want to lose her.”

His words were a painful reminder of everything we had lost, but they also reminded me of what was at stake. This wasn’t just about a house. This wasn’t about money or legalities. This was about family. And if we couldn’t find a way back to each other, Diana would have won without a single shot being fired.

“We have to continue reading …