Clara’s face went pale. “That’s sick.”
“That’s business,” Lauren corrected. “And it’s a limited-time offer. Decide now.”
Emma stood up slowly, her hand finding the envelope of cash. She picked it up, feeling its weight. “This is a lot of money,” she said softly.
My heart cracked. “Emma…”
Emma stood up slowly,
her hand finding the
envelope of cash.
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“Let me finish, Dad.” She turned toward where Lauren was standing. “This is a lot of money. Probably more than we’ve ever had at once.”
Lauren’s smile grew smug.
“But you know what’s funny?” Emma continued, her voice gaining strength. “We’ve never needed it. We’ve had everything that actually matters.”
Clara stood too, moving to stand beside her sister. “We’ve had a father who stayed. Who taught us. Who loved us when we were hard to love.”
“Who made sure we never felt broken,” Emma added.
Lauren’s smile faltered.
“This is a lot of money.
Probably more than
we’ve ever had at once.”
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“We don’t want your money,” Clara said firmly. “We don’t want your gowns. And we don’t want YOU.”
Emma lifted the envelope high, then tore it open and threw the bills into the air. Money fluttered out, cascading down like confetti. The bills drifted and scattered across the floor on Lauren’s expensive shoes.
“You can keep it,” Emma declared. “We’re not for sale.”
Lauren’s face twisted with rage. “You ungrateful… Do you have any idea what I’m offering you? Do you know who I am now? I’m famous! I’ve worked for 18 years to build a career, to make something of myself!”
“For yourself,” I cut in. “You did it for yourself.”
“And now you want to use them to look like a devoted mother,” Clara finished, her voice cutting. “We’re not your props.”
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