Mom didn't even glance at me. Instead, she grabbed my brother's chin and forced him to look at me.
"Ethan Harper, take a good look at your sister. This is happening because you wasted money. She's being sent away to make up for what you spent."
Ethan froze. Then his whole body started shaking.
He didn't like me. But he never wanted me gone.
As Rita started dragging me toward the van, Ethan couldn't hold it in anymore.
He broke down crying, tears and snot smearing across his face.
"Mom, I'm sorry. I won't waste money anymore. Please don't send her away, okay?"
Seeing her defiant son finally apologize, Mom allowed herself a satisfied smile.
I looked at her, hope flickering in my chest. He apologized. Did that mean I could go home now?
But her smile vanished as quickly as it came.
Her expression turned cold.
"No. Actions have consequences. You wanted to play big shot? Without a real lesson, you'll never understand how hard money is to earn. How immature you've been."
But Mom, I'm not the one who did anything wrong.
I said it out loud. She didn't flinch.
"You're his sister. You failed to keep him in line. How is that not your fault too?"