She tossed her hair, gold bangles jangling. "Well, let me remind you, sister—we signed those papers cutting you off. Even if we buy a mansion, you won't see a single cent of it!"
"Don't even think about showing up here and mooching off our property."
Uncle Robert's family closed in around me, watching me like I was the punchline to a joke.
Aunt Diane fired the first shot. "Weren't you always so proud and above it all? Then go back to your little job and your rented shoebox!"
"Places like this aren't for bottom-feeders like you."
Philip let out a derisive snort. "Exactly. If you didn't know us, you wouldn't even be qualified to set foot in this sales office."
Uncle Robert drew himself up with all the pompous authority of an elder, looking down his nose at me. "Corinne, I'm telling you this for your own good—you need to be realistic. Stop reaching for things that were never meant to be yours."
"With the pittance you make, you couldn't even afford a bathroom in this place."
"Now leave, before you embarrass yourself further."
I let my gaze sweep over them, my voice perfectly level. "Who says I can't afford a unit here?"