At Easter dinner, my mother humiliated me in front of fifty relatives, telling everyone I was moving to a slum to save money. I knew she had stolen my $42,000 college fund to buy my sister a house—but I stayed silent. Instead, I invited them all to see my “new place,” and did something that left every single one of them speechless.

Months earlier, while helping organize paperwork, Emily had discovered a bank statement for a trust account in her own name that her grandfather had left for her education. Diane had claimed years ago that the fund was gone, which forced Emily to drop out of her graduate program.

The statement showed a withdrawal of forty two thousand dollars transferred directly into Diane’s personal account.

When Emily confronted her, Diane denied everything and turned the blame back on her, twisting the truth until Emily almost doubted herself.

But she did not doubt anymore.

“Actually, Mom,” Emily said calmly as she lifted her head.

“I am looking forward to the move, because it will be very eye opening.”

Olivia rolled her eyes and laughed. “Good luck dealing with that place, because I heard it is full of problems.”

The table laughed nervously, relieved to have someone else to judge.

Diane leaned closer and whispered sharply, “Do not expect us to visit you there because you are on your own.”

Emily smiled, but this time it was different.

“Please come,” she replied sweetly. “I am hosting a housewarming party next Sunday, and I want everyone to see where I ended up.”

Chapter 2: The Bait