ing room as if she owned it, her eyes sweep

r voice sharp. "She' s giving my Ryan

ne expression, watch

ked stressed. "Mom, we just... we don' t

' t have the money? She' s a Johns. Her family probably uses hu

. "She' s right, Brian. We should do this for them. Gabr

d. I' m glad you see it that way for once. Gabrielle has some i

protest again,

to shut up. "Don' t worry about

can be useful when she wants to be. It' s about time she contrib

manipulating the penniless daughter-in-law, but she was just a pawn,

ety. "Maria, I looked up the places Gabrielle mentioned. They' re th

e bit of money saved from before we met. A personal fund. It' s not much,

and renewed affection. "You' re amazing,

t card with a ludicrously high limit, linked to an account his name

owntown. Ryan and his fiancée, Gabrielle, were the stars of the show. She was a vapid, aspiring Instagram in

e, flanked by Carol and Ry

her tone dripping with condescension. "But

phone and started l

om Tiffany & Co. The classic six-p

beside her. "She

ugh her photos. "The Four Seasons. The grand ball

And the wedding gift. We were thinking a car. A new

n' s face was pale. He opened his mouth to say something,

perfect," I said, my voi