Page 125 of What Remains of Grace

Jenna glanced at Ramirez, who gave her the smallest nod.

“Because . . .” Jenna took a breath. “Because I don’t want to lose my home, Your Honor. Or my sister’s bakery. My grandmother opened that bakery, and my sister and I grew up working in it. My sister, Grace, took over when she was ready and ran it by herself. My niece and I live there and work there. A forced sale would mean selling those properties on the open market to whoever had the money. We’d be uprooted, and the business would likely change hands. It wouldn’t be ours anymore. This buyout lets Mr. Bailey receive money for his share, but it lets us keep the places that are . . . our life.”

“Are you satisfied that the amount, one hundred twenty thousand dollars, is fair, given the appraisal and the credits we’ve discussed?”

Jenna swallowed. Fair.

Nothing about writing a six-figure check to the man who had broken her sister felt fair. But that wasn’t the question the law asked.

“Yes, Your Honor,” she said. “It . . . it’s more than I’d like to pay, but it’s less than what we think a court would award if we had to go through a contested partition. It’s an amount I can raise with the help of my family and community without losing the house and bakery. It’s . . . survivable.”

“And you have the ability to fund this payment?” Judge Collins asked. “You’re not mortgaging beyond your means?”

“We’ve raised a substantial portion through a community fundraiser,” Jenna said, a small flicker of pride piercing the anxiety. “And I have personal savings and a business line of credit unassociated with the contested business property. The numbers have been provided to the court in my affidavit. It will be tight, but it won’t sink us.”

“And you understand that once I sign this order, this is final,” the judge said. “You cannot come back in six months and say you’ve changed your mind, that you now think Mr. Bailey should have gotten less.”

“Yes, Your Honor, I understand.”

“Do you feel that anyone has pressured you into this agreement?” the judge asked. “Your attorney? Mr. Bailey? Anyone else?”

“No,” Jenna said firmly. “This was my decision. Ms. Ramirez explained all my options. I chose this.”

Judge Collins regarded her for another moment, then nodded. “Thank you, Ms. Hart,” she said. “You may step down.”

Jenna’s legs felt boneless as she returned to the defense table. Emmie reached over and squeezed her hand.

“You did good,” she whispered under her breath.

Judge Collins shuffled papers, then addressed the room.

“All right,” she said. “Having reviewed the pleadings, the parties’ memoranda, the certified appraisal, the documentation of improvements and carrying costs, and having heard from counsel and Ms. Hart, the court finds that the proposed buyout is equitable and in the best interests of all parties, including the minor, Ms. Cruz, whose interests are adequately represented by Ms. Hart.”

Jenna held her breath.

“In recognition of Ms. Hart’s substantial contributions to the maintenance and enhancement of the property’s value, and pursuant to the court’s equitable powers under Florida partition law and applicable case law including Condrey, the court approves the stipulated settlement,” Judge Collins continued. “The plaintiff’s complaint for partition by sale is hereby resolved as follows: within thirty days, respondents shall pay to plaintiff the sum of one hundred twenty thousand dollars. Upon receipt of said funds, plaintiff shall execute a quitclaim deed conveying any and all right, title, and interest in the subject properties to Ms. Hart, individually and as trustee for Ms. Cruz’s minority interest.”

Decker was already nodding, jotting something down.

“Upon filing of the fully executed deed, the clerk is directed to enter final judgment dismissing this partition action with prejudice and quieting title in favor of Ms. Hart and Ms. Cruz as sole owners,” the judge said. “In plain language, Mr. Bailey, once you are paid and sign that deed, you are out. You have no further ownership claims to the house or the bakery.”

“Understood, Your Honor,” Troy said.

“And if Mr. Bailey fails or refuses to execute the deed after payment is tendered,” Judge Collins added, “the court will, upon motion, authorize the clerk to execute on his behalf. I do not anticipate that will be necessary, Mr. Bailey, but I like to be clear.”

Troy’s smile tightened. “It won’t be, Judge. I’m a man of my word.”

Emmie muttered something under her breath about that being a first, but the gavel was already coming down.

“Good,” Judge Collins said. “Then we are done here. The stipulation is approved. The partition complaint is resolved. Good luck to all of you.” She paused, then added, more softly, “And Ms. Hart? Take good care of that bakery. My clerk tells me you make an excellent pecan bar.”

Jenna’s mouth fell open, then curved helplessly. “Yes, Your Honor,” she said. “I . . . I will.”

“Court is adjourned,” the bailiff called.

The gavel tapped once more. The sound echoed like the closing of a door—and the opening of another.

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