I reside in the corners of my mind

I let my feelings drown me like still waters

I can not breath

I crane my neck up to break the surface 

But I can not move

My arms are too heavy, someone is holding me

Mother, don't let me drown...

--| Elias |

-

-

-

All the eyes focused on Mrs. Henway as she pulled out slips of paper from a black folder. The family was seated neatly on a long table in a meeting room that was beside the house's main library. 

Ambrosia was just close enough to see a tag on the folder and on it was written, Josephine Hill's Testament. Ambrosia gulped, she hadn't seen that name in years. She ran her fingertips along the edge of the maple oak table in a slight attempt to calm her nerves. 

Ambrosia's eyes focused on Tania who was watching Mrs. Henway intently, her hands clasped tightly.

Mrs. Henway cleared her throat as if the long organizing of paper wasn't enough to get everyone's attention. 

"I believe all family and relatives of the testator, Mrs. Josephine Hill, are present in this room," Mrs. Henway proclaimed letting her eyes drift across the anxious faces.

"Now I will commence in the reading of Mrs. Josephine Hill's legal testament."

"The following relatives shall be beneficiaries and distribute my money accordingly amongst themselves," Mrs. Henway paused.

"My beloved children Ian Hill and Annie Hill, along with their own families, and Tania Evans and her family; my only wish is that they know that all deeds have consequences and this money is my blessing...all good things can be taken away."

Mrs. Henway finished reading that section and turned the page. Ambrosia looked and saw Aunt Annie and her father holding hands and the tips of their mouths curved into a smile. The look of gratefulness on their face made Ambrosia's heart soften.

"Intangible property will go to, Tania Evans and her husband Chris Evans."

"Josephine Hills legate, the person who inherits her personal property inside the house, is Ambrosia Hill."

A smile played on Ambroisa's lips as she earned the looks of others in the room.

Now I have money and personal property, perfect.

"Ahem, now the following relatives are devisees, which are those who receive property and real estate."

"Ian Hill along with his family and issue shall inherit my home and land, my son may decide who resides in it-" Mrs. Henway was stopped by a loud gasp beside her. 

Everyone looked at prim Tania who stared directly at the papers Mrs. Henway held. 

"Oh don't be surprised, Tania." Aunt Annie snapped shooting the woman a deadly glare.

Tania rolled her eyes and sneered.

"I just though Josephine would have more sense to choose someone that could maintain the home-"

"My brother is not poor, Tania!" Annie spat her hand slapped on the table.

The tension between them filled the air around everyone, Ambrosia knew the two older women would never come to good terms.

"Ladies, Mrs. Hill made it clear that her real estate would go to descendants of herself." Mrs. Henway interrupted. The small woman glanced at Tania who looked at the papers unfazed.

"Best remember where you came from," Ambrosia's father said under his breath but just loud enough for Tania to hear. 

Tania sprung from her seat and shook her finger at him.

"She may be your mother Ian, but I know more about her than you ever will!" With that, she stormed out of the meeting room slamming the door in the process. The whole house seemed to shudder under Tania's anger.

I know more than you ever will.

Ambrosia's contemplated these things that Tania spoke with such fury. Ambrosia looked at her father who was gently cleaning his glasses. His face looked even more lined as if the stress of this whole ordeal was aging him.

 Ivy sat beside him and looked at her with a peculiar smirk.

The two sisters knew at that moment that Tania played a bigger role in their investigation.

"This will end the reading of Josephine Hill's Will, I will contact all of you if another meeting must be scheduled," Mrs. Henway stated putting away the documents.

Everyone got up and filed out of the room, now that everyone got what they wanted, the only way left was to return home.

-

-

-

"Bye Auntie!" Ivy yelled running outside as she waved frantically at the blue Toyota that drove away from the manor. 

Aunt Annie's car gave two honks before turning and disappearing from Ivy's line of vision. 

Ambrosia stood outside by her own car placing boxes in the trunk. Ivy turned around and tilted her head.

"What are you doing, leaving?" Ivy laughed nervously her hands fiddling with her blouse.

Ambrosia shook her head and smiled.

What did she expect me to do? This is my life.

"No, I'm just putting some stuff grandma wanted me to have in my care."

Ivy nodded and helped Ambrosia with a bit of uneasy.

"So you're not staying in the house with me and dad." Ivy's words came out as a statement rather than a question.

"Ivy lets not talk about this okay," Ambrosia said. 

Ivy said nothing and closed the trunk of her sister's car.

The two walked into the house to see Tania in a teal evening gown resting herself on the open living room sofa. 

"Hello, darlings."

"You're not leaving ..?" Ambrosia questioned not evening making a point to greet her.

Tania sat upright and flipped her curly brown hair.

"No, your father was so gracious to let us stay a few days," Tania replied as her husband strode in with two glasses of white wine.

He gave one to his wife and sat beside her. The couple took a sip watching the two girls with glistening eyes. 

Their gaze sent shudders down Ambrosia's spine.

-

-

-

-