Chapter 7: The Neutral Ground
The diner was located off Interstate 84, a neon-lit establishment with faded red vinyl booths and the steady hum of an industrial refrigerator buzzing in the background. It was far enough from their suburban neighborhood to ensure privacy, yet close enough for a quick retreat if things went wrong. Julian sat across from Evelyn in the corner booth, the dim lighting casting deep shadows under Evelyn’s eyes. She wore a heavy black wool coat instead of her velvet top, her left cheek bearing a faint, yellowish bruise from Julian’s slap the previous night. Clara sat beside Julian, her posture rigid, watching Evelyn’s every move. Evelyn took a slow sip of black coffee before looking up, her gaze steady and unyielding. "You always thought you were the golden boy, Julian," Evelyn began, her voice remarkably calm, devoid of the hysterical anger she had displayed earlier. "Father handed you everything on a silver platter, while my mother worked three jobs just to keep us afloat after your grandfather cut us out of the will." Julian stared at her across the formica table. "I didn't know about the will, Evelyn. Mother just told us everything today. If I had known the estate belonged to your side by right, I would have handled things differently." Evelyn let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Easy to say now that you’ve been caught with your hand in the cookie jar. But words don't pay off my mother's medical debts or restore our family dignity." Clara leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. "Enough with the martyrdom, Evelyn. You struck an innocent baby to get a reaction out of us. That doesn't make you a freedom fighter; it makes you a bully. If you want to negotiate a fair settlement, you drop the hostility right now." Evelyn blinked, momentarily taken aback by Clara’s fierce composure. She studied Clara for a long second, then nodded slowly. "Fair enough. I don't want a bloody war either. But I want the primary property deed transferred to my name, and half the remaining trust funds. That’s my final offer."
