pregn

er hand resting on her flat stomach. She looked at

pril Foo

ever, were not

ents!" my mother, Susan Miller, cried out, her hands flying to her mouth. My fa

you had it in you,

the kitchen doorway, a cup of coffee growing cold in my hands. I watch

l happeni

y like

he moment I met her. Mark, my older brother, easily swayed and completely wrapped around her little

his exact moment was t

their life savings. They happily handed over $200,000, their entire re

. She wanted more. She d

rs streaming down her face. "It's for your nephew! Yo

t kind of money. But they emotionally blackmailed me, shamed me, until I caved.

her excuses grew thin. So she orchestrated an "accident." She staged a fall dow

question. He didn't ask for my side of the story. He didn't care. He found m

He left me in a dark alley to

r regret. Why had I been so weak

en, I

un streaming through my window. It was

given a sec

e lie that had cost me my life. The coffee cup in my hand

s time, there would be no money.

there would

g, already doting on her. "You and Mark need a proper home.

een worried about. We saw this beautiful condo, but the down payment is $200,000.

t his chest. "Your mother and I have our retirement savings. It

parents with gratitude. "Thank you, Mom, Da

fect family portrait. A portrai

ugness was back, a flicker of triumph in her gaze. S

. The condo is amazing, but we'll need furniture, baby supplies... it all adds up. I

er eyes lighting up with the same mani

eeds some help. You' re the aunt, y

ur mother is right. We're all putt

The pressure. They expected me to fall in line, to sa

down on the counte

truly were: a greedy manipulator, a weak-willed fool, and two selfish parents

e spread ac

my voice cle

Four pairs of eyes sta

" my father asked, his

lare withou

not giving her