The entire table turned toward me
The entire table turned toward me.
Mrs. Sterling began asking follow-up questions.
Tumor resistance.
Microenvironment.
Immune exhaustion.
I answered those too.
Then Brad asked about my research.
I mentioned the suturing system.
”
My mother kicked me beneath the table.
Khloe’s expression changed.
The conversation had shifted away from her.
She reached for the wine.
The decanter tipped.
Red Cabernet poured across my gray dress.
“Oh my God,” Khloe said.
”
My mother immediately blamed me.
Dad told me to clean myself up.
In the bathroom, Khloe followed.
”
Her face went red.
She grabbed my arm.
”
I looked at her hand.
Then at her.
”
She leaned closer.
”
For the first time, I laughed.
Khloe released me.
”
She stared.
”
That night, my parents arrived at my apartment.
Dad carried a legal envelope.
”
My body went cold.
The Savannah house had belonged to my grandmother.
Three generations.
Family photographs.
Summer afternoons.
The only place in childhood where I never felt compared to Khloe.
”
Dad shrugged.
”
I looked at them.
”
Dad pushed the papers toward me.
“Your name is still on the deed because of her will. ”
I refused.
He became angry.
I still refused.
After they left, I read everything.
That was when I found the second mortgage.
One hundred thousand dollars.
Taken eighteen months earlier.
Borrowers:
David Brooks.
Patricia Brooks.
Zora Brooks.
My signature appeared on the loan.
I had never signed it.
The room tilted.
I looked through old records.
Dates.
Messages.
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