“Your company is doing amazing, and taking care of a place like this all by yourself must be exhausting,” she continued. “I can help by moving in, and obviously you wouldn’t charge me rent because we’re family.”
A few relatives nearby went still. My aunt’s smile froze in place, and my cousin quietly lowered his plate, as if any sudden movement might make things worse. The mood shifted in an instant.
I set my glass down before I could accidentally crack it in my hand.
“Kristin,” I said, keeping my voice level, “stop pretending this is a joke.”
She didn’t laugh.
“This is my house,” I continued, more firmly now, “and you are not moving into it.”
Before she could respond, my father stepped forward, his presence immediately commanding attention in the way it always had.
“Watch your tone, Morgan,” he said sharply.
The room fell silent. Conversations died mid-sentence as people turned to look, already sensing where this was going.
“Kristin is your sister,” he went on, his voice steady but edged with authority, “and she’s trying to build something for herself.”