Clara adjusted the collar of her son's clean shirt before walking up the wide marble steps.
Her hands were cold despite the bright warm sunshine streaming down on the massive suburban mansion.
She had not spoken to her husband's wealthy stepmother in nearly three years after a bitter fight.
Evelyn Vance was a woman who used her vast fortune to control everyone around her without hesitation.
When the unexpected invitation to a family dinner arrived in the mail, Clara felt instant deep suspicion.
Julian assured her that his stepmother simply wanted to make peace and meet young Noah again properly.
He believed his family business depended on staying in Evelyn's good financial graces for the coming year.
Clara squeezed Noah's small hand gently as Julian pushed open the grand front entrance doors of the home.
The towering foyer smelled of expensive fresh flowers and polished vintage wood furniture.
Evelyn sat near the back patio in a silk robe holding a cold crystal glass with total ease.
She did not stand up to greet them as they walked out onto the shining white deck.
Her eyes swept over Clara with cold judgment before landing briefly on little seven-year-old Noah.
"You finally decided to bring him," Evelyn said with a sharp and lifeless smile.
"We came because Julian wanted us here, Evelyn," Clara replied softly, keeping her stance steady.
Julian stepped forward quickly, trying his absolute best to smooth over the obvious tension between them.
"It is wonderful to see you, Evelyn," Julian said as he leaned down to kiss her cheek.
"The estate looks beautiful today," he added while scanning the sparkling turquoise pool water.
"I keep things immaculate here, unlike other people," Evelyn remarked, casting a pointed look at Clara.
Noah pulled on Clara's dress slightly, clearly feeling uncomfortable under the elderly woman's harsh gaze.
"Can I look at the fish in the fountain, Mommy?" Noah whispered quietly to his mother.
"Stay right by the patio chairs, sweetie," Clara instructed while watching Evelyn's stiff posture closely.
Evelyn took a slow sip of her drink as ice cubes clinked softly against the glass rim.
"A proper heir to the family trust fund should be more confident," Evelyn muttered under her breath.
Julian cleared his throat nervously and pulled out a chair for his wife to sit down.
"Let us not start discussing legal matters or inheritance yet," Julian pleaded with a weary sigh.
Clara knew that Evelyn controlled the family foundation and every single dollar left behind by Julian's father.
She had threatened to disinherit Julian twice before when he refused to follow her strict demands.
Now that Noah was older, Evelyn seemed even more determined to control the next generation too.
Clara promised herself that she would protect her child from the woman's cruel psychological mind games.
She took a deep breath and sat down on the edge of the plush patio chair.
The peaceful sound of garden sprinklers could not cover the intense rising dread in Clara's heart.