Ashley POV

I frowned, even as I felt a cold hand grip around my core as the realization slowly seeped into my mind like thick, viscous honey. Only if that honey was rotten and bitter like coal and ash.

"What does that mean?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

Dad scratched the back of his head, letting Mom take over. "What he's trying to say," she told me firmly, "is that there's no way we can change the terms of your grandfather's will. 'As it is written, so shall it be established'. So our family must still be united by blood, no matter what we will do to keep our...