Because nobody had the money.
Not even Jessica.
The realization spread through the room like wildfire.
The fairy tale wedding had been funded by the daughter they spent their entire lives undervaluing.
My mother stumbled toward me.
“Please, Emily.”
Tears streamed down her face.
“We can work this out.”
I stepped backward.
The same word that had started everything.
“We’re family.”
I looked directly at her.
“We stopped being family when you tried to steal my home.”
Nobody spoke.
Nobody defended them.
For the first time in my life, everyone saw the truth.
