t time in years, I could finally breathe. I walked into the kitchen of my Silicon Valley mansion, ready to share the news, but my fiancée, Chloe Davis, a

" Brenda asked. Her eyes narrowed, scan

ittle fun, to test th

ing against the marble countertop. "Actually,

p, it seemed to unhinge. The c

your pre-marital debts?" she shrieked, her voice echoing in the large kitchen. "Maybe you should find

lent, just

people say? And if you're going to insist on staying here, you'll need to pay for rent and your living expe

onths. I was the one paying for her expensive tastes, her car, her credit cards. And this sprawling mansion, where they were currently

ive. But then Chloe, my fiancée, walked in. She had heard the last part of the conver

never listen," she muttered, shaking her head. "Now look

explain, to tell them the truth about the eighty millio

ng money recklessly," she said, her voice drippin

on. "It's all for my future with Chloe, Brenda. Once we'

I was the one who pulled strings, called in every favor I had to get her an appointment with the top neurosurgeon in the country. The surgery alone cost ne

s wr

he word "family," B

You two aren't

married, I sent Brenda generous checks for her birthday and holidays. I bought her exp

r," Brenda declared, crossing her arms. "It

w. "What are you s

y Chloe graduated from a prestigious university and worked hard for ev

are coming to visit in a few days. This

loud. I couldn

, Brenda. You could invite ten more rela

e property. The idea that it wasn't "big enough" was absurd. I had invited them h

up with tears. They were not tea

fe seen a freeloader s

emeanor shifted. She took my hand, her grip surprisingly st

. It's just a mother's concern f

ter you all these years. I know you appreciate that. But she works so, so hard. And now that your business has fai

atches and designer clothes I had already bought for them for Christmas, all wrapped and hidden

ce stern. "Mom, Ethan's business just failed. He's alr

rom the doorway. "Yeah, Mom. We're all fam

em. "So, I'm the only one who's n

ried to him yet, and you're already taking his side against y

rible in a past life to have ra

the kitchen, threatening to pac

been sitting silently at the din

e was that! How dare you speak to

our mother

opsticks down on the table, grabbed my arm, and pulled me