Chapter 1

My brother Danny married a new-age woman who was always preaching about going Dutch at home.

Geneva insisted that even meals and utility bills with my mom and Danny had to be split. Even when Dad bought her a bag, she insisted on paying him back.

Fine. As the family's resident freeloader, I was all for it.

I immediately canceled all the family's supplementary cards. That included Geneva's unlimited one.

*****

"June, I've made plans with Wanda and the others for a spa day this weekend. Is your supplementary card limit enough? If not, I'll have your dad raise it for you," my mom, Claire, asked casually as she gracefully applied a mask to her face.

I was June, the only daughter of the Wheeler family, and according to my brother Danny, I was a top-tier freeloader who "couldn't do anything but spend money."

I was about to say, "It's more than enough. My card limit could buy that whole spa," when my sister-in-law, Geneva, who had only been married into the family for a month, strolled over with a cup of pour-over coffee.

Geneva was lounging in a silk robe, hair loosely pinned up, wearing that self-assured look that practically screamed, 'Sure, I married into money, but I'm totally my own woman.'

"Mom, you're going to spoil June like this," Geneva said, setting her coffee down with a sharp clink. "Girls should have their own thing going on. You can't really stand on your own two feet unless you have your own money. Look at me. I married Danny, but I never touch a dime of his."

Mom paused, her mask almost sliding off. "Geneva, we're all family here. Why make it sound like we're outsiders? Isn't it perfectly normal for June to spend the family's money?"

Geneva shook her head. "Mom, you really need to get with the times. These days, it's all about keeping things clear and going Dutch. Even between siblings, we settle our accounts, and it's the same for couples. Danny and I split our monthly living expenses fifty-fifty."

I nearly choked on my soup. 'AA? You're living in our family's multi-million dollar penthouse downtown, cruising around in the limited-edition Maserati Dad gave her.

'And you rocked the Hermès bag Danny scored for you at last month's auction. And now you're telling me you and Danny go fifty-fifty on everything?

'How does she even split that stuff? Is she splitting the air or what?'

Just then, Danny came downstairs. Hearing Geneva's words, he walked over with a doting smile and put his arm around her. "That's Geneva, so independent and sharp. Not like certain people who just leech off the family."

Danny gave me a look that said it all.

I rolled my eyes and ignored him. 'Men who are whipped are a lost cause.'

Geneva snuggled up to Danny and kept preaching her progressive views. "So, Mom, from now on, let's be clear about the household expenses.

"For example, this month's property fees, utilities, and groceries. I did the math, it's 130 thousand dollars total. With five of us, that's 26 thousand dollars each. I'll send the bill to the group chat in a minute, so make sure to send me your part."

As she said this, Geneva actually whipped out her phone and quickly started a group chat, pulling everyone in.

Mm looked absolutely stunned. She said, "Geneva... is this really necessary?"

Mom had never even heard of paying utilities in your own house.

"It's totally necessary," Geneva replied, dead serious. "Mom, this is the best way to teach everyone in the family some responsibility. Especially June, she can't just mooch off us forever, can she? Let her pay her own living expenses for once, and she'll see for herself how tough it is to make a buck."

Danny was nodding like his life depended on it. "Geneva's right. June, you really need to grow up."

I looked at this husband-and-wife tag team putting on their little act, then at my mom's hands shaking with rage, and suddenly, I thought, 'Huh, this might actually be fun.'

"Sure thing," I said, setting down my bowl with a bright smile. "Count me in. Geneva, you really get it, so forward-thinking. Honestly, I've been saying our family's old-school, bossy ways need a total overhaul. I'm a hundred percent on board with splitting everything."

Geneva blinked in surprise at how fast I agreed, then shot me an approving look. "June, that's great to hear. Maybe you're not as hopelessly old-school as I thought."

"Of course," I replied, flashing an even sweeter smile. "If we're really going to embrace your split-everything philosophy and turn ourselves into truly self-sufficient, new-gen go-getters, how about this for a real upgrade?"

Everyone's eyes were on me.

I cleared my throat and said, making sure to hit every word, "Let's cancel all the supplementary cards Dad gave us. From now on, we each spend only what we actually earn. Let's see who can really make it on their own. Isn't that what true AA is all about, Geneva?"

Geneva's smile froze on her face.