He didn’t ask Madison to come along.
After the officer departed, my parents remained at the table.
My mother stared at the untouched dinner as though pretending nothing had happened might somehow restore the evening.
Finally, Dad looked at me.
“What are you going to do now?”
“Protect what Grandma left me.”
He shook his head.
“And tear this family apart?”
I met his gaze.
“An audit didn’t destroy this family, Dad.”
He looked away.
For years, I’d believed there must be something I could do to earn the same consideration Madison received automatically.
Maybe another accomplishment.
Another sacrifice.
Another attempt to keep everyone happy.
But standing in that dining room, I finally understood.
My parents weren’t unaware of how they’d treated me.
They’d simply expected me to accept it quietly.
Elena and I left together.
I didn’t spend that night in the house.
