Chapter 5 - Christmas Eve
The storm began shortly before sunset.
By the time Elena, Trevor, Colton, and Sophie reached Hawthorne Villa, snow covered the long driveway and gathered on the stone lions beside the entrance.
The villa glowed with warm lights.
A twelve-foot Christmas tree stood in the main hall. Garlands wound around the staircase. Candles flickered in silver holders Margaret had once used.
Judith descended the stairs wearing a metallic blue evening suit.
She kissed Trevor’s cheek.
She ignored Elena.
When Sophie stepped forward holding a handmade card, Judith examined it without smiling.
“What is this?”
“I drew the house,” Sophie said.
The card showed four stick figures beneath a yellow sun.
Judith handed it to a servant.
“Put it somewhere safe.”
Elena watched the servant place it on a side table beneath several unopened envelopes.
Judge Alden arrived twenty minutes later.
He was eighty-one, tall despite his age, with careful movements and observant eyes.
When he saw Elena, his expression changed.
“You look like your mother.”
Judith immediately moved between them.
“Samuel, you must see the new dining room.”
“I remember the old one,” he replied.
His gaze returned to Elena.
“I received your message.”
Trevor tightened his hand around Elena’s waist.
“We’re all grieving again because of the holidays,” he said.
Elena removed his hand.
“I wasn’t calling about grief.”
Judith clapped loudly.
“Dinner is ready.”
Seventeen relatives and business associates entered the dining room.
Judge Alden was seated at one end of the long table. Trevor occupied the other. Judith sat beside the judge, positioning herself like the evening’s honored queen.
Elena sat between her children.
During the first course, Judith described the charities she supported.
She did not mention that most donations came from Mercer Development accounts and were used to reduce taxes.
Judge Alden listened without praise.
During the second course, he asked Elena about her work.
She explained that she managed community housing projects.
Judith interrupted.
“Elena has always preferred sentimental causes to profitable ones.”
“My mother taught me that houses should protect people,” Elena replied.
Judge Alden’s eyes moved around Hawthorne Villa.
“She believed that strongly.”
Trevor kicked Elena lightly beneath the table.
She ignored him.
Colton barely ate.
His gaze repeatedly moved toward the side table where he had hidden the remote.
Judith noticed.
“What are you looking at?”
“Nothing.”
Sophie reached for a crystal glass filled with sparkling cider.
Her sleeve caught the base.
The glass fell.
It shattered on the marble floor.
Everyone jumped.
Sophie froze.
“I’m sorry.”
Judith stood so quickly that her chair struck the wall.
“You careless little brat.”
Elena bent toward Sophie.
“It was an accident.”
Before Elena could reach her daughter, Judith grabbed Sophie’s wrist and struck her across the mouth with the back of her hand.
The action happened quickly.
The room went silent.
Sophie stumbled against the chair. A tiny glass fragment on the tablecloth scratched the corner of her lip.
Elena dropped to her knees and pulled her daughter close.
For one terrible second, no one reacted.
Then Elena looked up at Judith.
“You slapped my daughter over a piece of broken glass?”
Judith showed no regret.
“She needs discipline.”
Trevor’s voice came from the head of the table.
“Sit down. Don’t humiliate my mother in front of Judge Alden.”
Elena turned toward him.
She could not believe what she had heard.
Judge Alden slowly lowered his wineglass.
Colton looked at his crying sister.
May you like
Then he looked at the side table.
He stood.
