Chapter 4

The door was slightly ajar, and hushed voices drifted out.

Amber: "Mom, are you crazy? Why did you tell Chloe to invite all those relatives? That bonus was supposed to buy my new car! Now she's spending it on a fancy dinner, where am I going to get car money?"

Mom rushed to soothe her. "Sweetheart, I was just so furious! She was rubbing her success in our faces! I couldn't stomach it!"

Amber: "So what about my car? The dinner is in two days! If her entire bonus goes toward food, are you buying my car?!"

Mom hurriedly coddled her golden child. "Yes, yes, I'll buy it for you!"

Mom handed over a debit card. "This has all the monthly money your sister sent me over the years. I saved every dime, added some of our own savings, and rounded it up to thirty thousand dollars."

"Are you happy now?"

"As for your sister, we're going to bleed her dry at that dinner. Let's see her gloat after that!"

"Look up the menu online. Pick the most expensive items. Max out her credit cards!"

"Just thinking about her smug face makes me sick!"

"You both came from my womb, how did she turn out so calculating?!"

Amber beamed. "Can I invite my coworkers too?"

"Of course! Invite them all! Your sister is paying anyway!"

Their voices lowered, followed by bursts of quiet, vindictive laughter.

I had always known Mom secretly used the money I sent home to spoil Amber. But I never imagined she harbored such venom toward me, scheming to max out my cards just to tear me down.

Fine. If they insisted on calling me a show-off, I would show them what real ruthlessness looked like.