Chapter 19
The lake house needed six million dollars in structural work.
The number arrived eighteen months later.
Shoreline erosion had damaged part of the retaining system.
The boathouse foundation needed replacement.
Electrical systems were outdated.
The main roof had perhaps two winters left.
The trust could afford the repairs.
That was not the issue.
The question was whether spending six million to preserve a property used only several weeks each year served Leo and Mia’s interests.
The independent fiduciary scheduled a family review.
Leo was fifteen.
Mia twelve.
They were not legal decision-makers yet.
They were old enough to be heard.
Marco arrived with a proposal before anyone requested one.
A Romano hospitality subsidiary would lease the lake property for twenty years.
The company would pay for renovations.
The children’s trust would receive annual income.
Romano relatives would retain private access during selected weeks.
The proposed property manager:
Javier Romano.
Dante stared at the page.
“You’re persistent.”
Marco smiled.
“I’m practical.”
Claire examined the numbers.
Financially, they were not absurd.
That made the proposal more dangerous than a ridiculous one.
The lease was near market value.
Renovation obligations were real.
Insurance terms were reasonable.
“You expected me to reject this because Javier’s name is on it,” Dante said.
“I expected you to separate emotion from business.”
Leo looked at the proposal.
Mia did not touch it.
“I don’t want Javier managing Mom’s house.”
Marco answered before Dante could stop him.
“Your mother trusted the Romano family.”
Mia’s expression changed.
Dante’s voice became quiet.
“Do not speak for Caroline.”
Marco leaned back.
“I knew her.”
“So did I.”
Leo looked toward the fiduciary.
“Do Mia and I have to agree?”
“Not legally,” the woman said. “But your views matter.”
“That sounds like adult language for no.”
She smiled slightly.
“Sometimes.”
Mia spoke.
“I want to keep the house private.”
Leo looked at her.
“I don’t know if spending six million makes sense.”
She turned.
“You want to sell it?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You’re always like this with numbers now.”
“And you’re acting like Mom lives there.”
Silence.
Mia’s eyes filled.
Leo immediately regretted the sentence.
But he did not erase the disagreement.
“I’m sorry.”
“You meant it.”
“I meant that we can’t decide only because she loved it.”
Mia stood.
“I’m done.”
The fiduciary did not force her to remain.
Dante did not tell her to sit because family business mattered.
She left.
Marco watched her go.
“This is exactly why children should not be involved in asset decisions.”
Dante turned toward him.
“No. This is exactly why they should learn that disagreement doesn’t remove their voice.”
The meeting ended without a decision.
Later, Leo found Mia at the pool.
“I don’t want to sell Mom’s house.”
“You said—”
“I said I don’t know if we should spend six million.”
“What’s the difference?”
“A lot.”
Mia threw a pebble into the water.
“Then what do you want?”
Leo had spent the afternoon researching.
“Maybe use part of it.”
“For what?”
“School programs. Environmental stuff. Maybe rent the guest cottages and keep the main house.”
Mia stared at him.
“You already planned everything?”
“No.”
“That sounds planned.”
“It’s an idea.”
She considered it.
“No Javier.”
Leo nodded.
“No Javier.”
They disagreed on money.
May you like
They agreed on one boundary.
For now, that was enough.
