Chapter 3

"Enough." Mom stood up abruptly, her voice slicing through the tension.

Her face was clouded, and she gave Dad a gentle smack on the arm. "Can you just drop it already?"

After a pause, she softened her tone as she looked at me. "Amy, you know that's just how your dad is. Don't waste your breath arguing with him. If you're not comfortable living here, maybe it's better to go back out for now."

"Go back out? Why should I be the one to go? This is my home," I blurted out, unable to bottle up my frustration any longer.

"That's not what I meant, Amy," Mom hurried to explain. "You're at the age where you should be chasing your dreams. It's fine to take a short break, but you really have to start looking for a new job soon. The job market is brutal these days. Take your eyes off the ball for a second and you'll get left behind."

I didn't want to think the worst of Mom, but right now, my feelings were all over the place.

I'd always thought that no matter how nasty Lucas, Ruby, or Dad got, as long as Mom was on my side, I could handle anything.

But now, she'd actually gone through with what she'd promised Ruby; she told me to leave.

It hit me hard; all those sweet things she'd said turned out to mean nothing at all.

Now, I couldn't help but start doubting if she ever really loved me.

I was disappointed; no, more than that, I was devastated.

But somehow, I found myself oddly calm.

It was hard not to feel confident when I had 100 million backing me up.

Sitting firmly with an utterly unyielding expression, I said, "This is my home. I'll stay for as long as I damn well please.

"If you can't stand me, you're more than welcome to pack up and move out yourselves."

"And another thing," I snapped, "I'll work if and when I feel like it. I don't need anyone bossing me around about my life

"Instead of wasting all your energy nitpicking me, why don't you go fix your good-for-nothing son and loser husband?"

Lucas blew up, storming over and getting right in my face. "Watch it, Amy. Try keeping that filthy mouth of yours in check.

"Don't get cocky with me. Since when was this your home? It's mine. Got that

"You're just a woman; sooner or later, you'll get married off and be gone. This was never your place to claim."

I just stared at him, totally unfazed by how fast he switched up.

Even Mom had changed, so why would I ever believe Lucas cared about me for real?

This was the real him, no more pretending.

He knew perfectly well I bought this house; not a single penny of it belonged to him.

But after crashing here for so long, he actually started acting like it was his place.

Seriously, what made him think he was entitled? Just because he got a Y chromosome?

I drummed my fingers lazily on the table, not even bothering to look up. "I know you've got rocks for brains, but you should even know the basics.

"I paid for this place. I was the owner. So, want to try telling me again whose house this really is?"

Lucas and Ruby looked like they'd just swallowed a lemon.

Lucas, fuming, snapped, "What are you so smug about? This house will end up being mine sooner or later."

"Oh, really? When you actually cough up some cash, I'll sell it to you. Until then, it's mine," I replied coolly.

"Forget how long I want to stay. If I decide I don't want you here anymore, you'll be out the door that same second," I shot back, voice firm.

The whole family whipped their heads around and stared at me, faces a mix of shock and resentment.

Before they could gang up on me, I managed a smile and said, "But honestly, I'd prefer if we all just got along. We're family, after all; no need to ruin the vibe. Don't you think?"

Mom, always the peacemaker, jumped in with a nervous laugh. "Come on, we're all family here. Do we really have to split hairs over whose name is on what? Lucas, seriously, why are you getting worked up over Amy? You're her big brother. Can't you let her win this one?"

If this were before, I would've thought Mom was genuinely on my side.

But now, it was painfully clear. She was not backing me up; she was actually just trying to stick up for Lucas.

She was just trying to keep the peace, terrified I might really kick him out and leave their precious son out on the street.

The family feud may have died down on the surface, and nobody said to my face that I should leave anymore, but after that, they kept trying to trip me up behind my back, doing everything they could to make life a headache.

Sometimes, they'd just skip telling me dinner was ready, so when I finally wandered out, all that was left were cold scraps and greasy plates—not even a decent bite for me.

And if I actually managed to get to the table on time, there'd only be a couple of sad little side dishes.

I didn't complain. I put up with their nonsense for two days, and then went ahead and hired a personal cook to whip up meals just for me at home.

Once they'd finished their sad little dinner, I'd sit down and truly indulge—freshly made, five-course spread with both meat and veggies, plus a steaming bowl of soup.

Dad was so mad he was practically blowing steam, blustering on about how I was being reckless with money and wasting the family's fortune.

I just grinned and retorted, "How am I wasting anything? I have the maid handle all the leftovers every day so nothing goes to waste. And what family fortune am I ruining, exactly? Have I ever spent a single penny of yours? If I'm blowing through money, it's my own—not yours."

Mom tried to keep it gentle, but she couldn't help nagging. "Amy, just because you've got some cash doesn't mean you should blow it on whatever. Now that you've quit your job, if you keep splurging like this, how long do you think your savings will really hold up?

"And come on, we cook at home every day. If you want to eat something special, just tell me. What's the point of hiring a maid anyway?"

I put on my best puppy-dog eyes. "Honestly, I only hired someone because nobody here bothered to make me any food."

Mom went totally pale, her lips moved, but she couldn't get a single word out.

Ruby, dripping with sarcasm as usual, shot back, "Mom, come on, isn't it obvious? Amy just thinks the way we eat isn't good enough, so now she's got her own fancy chef.

"Or maybe she just wants everyone to think I'm some wicked girl who won't even let her eat."

I shot her a sly wink. "What, isn't that exactly what you're trying to do?"

Ruby was beside herself with anger, immediately grabbing Lucas and gearing up to put on her usual theatrics—whining about how miserable it was marrying in, and how I was out to ruin her life.

Lucas glared at me, totally losing his patience. "That's enough, Amy. What exactly are you after? Did you come home just to turn this place upside down and make the whole family miserable?"

As Zick's frightened crying rang out, the whole house really did feel like it was falling apart.

I nonchalantly scratched my ear and shot them a cool glance. "Are you seriously saying I'm the one stirring up all this trouble?

"All I wanted was a peaceful place to rest. Most days I stay in my room, pretending not to see your little schemes. I've never started anything; so tell me, what exactly did I do wrong?"

"Fine," Lucas huffed, his finger trembling as he jabbed it at me. "Sure, you're always right. I'm always wrong. Can't believe how defiant and childish you've gotten."

"Oh," I shot back, deadpan.

Lucas tore out of the room, nearly ripping the door off its hinges as he slammed it behind him. Ruby kept up her complaining all the way to Zick, fussing over him as he cried. Dad just sat there, face like thunder, looking every bit the grim reaper.

Mom stared at me, clearly holding back whatever she wanted to say. Before she could get a word out, I shot back, voice flat and biting, "So, you think I'm the childish one now, huh?"

"You of all people should know if I'm actually being childish, Mom," I said, tossing the words at her.

I gave her a meaningful look, catching the flicker of guilt and shock on her face. Yeah, I got it, and honestly, I was just done. No point wasting any more words.

Of all the people in this house, Mom was the only one I truly trusted, the one I loved above everyone else.

Compared to Dad's obvious bias, Lucas's spineless selfishness, and the endless nitpicking from Ruby, it was Mom slipping me poison disguised as kindness that hurt the most. That kind of betrayal chilled me to the bone.