ert Stewart, my sister

y, was kind enough to take

n in a decade, there was no happiness, just anger and panic. To the guests at the Spencer famil

mother; I had been wiped from her life. In the glamorous

uccessful sister was too busy coaxing Robe

in the hospital. And if he passed away, my grandmoth

een-year-old adrift in a

y mother might have a change of heart. Yet, even as I nearly starved and came clo

ok me in, tending to me as one m

persisted for

e city. Learning about my half-year hiatus from school, he offered to pay for my

ms seemed like the

or money, or was it because of my jeal

to ponder

the architects of

at felt parched. It seemed like I caught a chill last night.

danger, he fell into a coma and didn't regain consciousness. Over the la

surreal. It took several prompts from the doctor before

ushed to my dad's hospital room, but it turne

tly open door, I coul

Mom and I are relieved. Mom's just embarr

was still tough for him. His voice was faint. T

alking about Mom's old affair, t

ice threw me

It's been four years. You're okay now, right? This money is from mom. Think of it

ars had

o my dad again without my

les throbbed as he raised his voice. "I don't want any of your mother's tainted money! She

a simple, honest man with nothing o

the attack, and it had nothing to do with a robbery. It seem

uldn't spare any cash f

m gone to hid

iled over in me, and I slammed