“I was,” I said. “I’m not anymore.”
Mom lifted her chin, smoothing her blouse. “Well, see?” she said with forced cheer. “I knew you just needed a push. Tough love worked. You could have called.”
“Tough love,” I echoed. “Is that what we’re calling clearing out my room and throwing coffee on me?”
Her smile tightened. “You were negative, Lauren. We had to make space. Mia needed a quiet room. You were always broke and stressed. It wasn’t fair.”
“I wasn’t broke,” I said. “I was paying the rent and tuition with overtime.”
They both glanced away.
I slipped a thin folder from my bag. “I’m not here to replay that night,” I said. “I’m here about the house.”
“Mr. Greene hasn’t found a buyer yet,” Mom replied.
“He has,” I said. “Me.”
“You bought this place?” Mia burst out. “With nurse money?”
“Tech money,” I corrected. “I left nursing for a healthcare-software company, stuck with it, and when we went public, I did well.” I kept it brief. “When Mr. Greene decided to sell, he offered it to the only person who’d ever paid on time.”
A flush crept up Mom’s neck. “So now you’re rich and want revenge on your own family?”
“If I wanted revenge, I’d send a lawyer,” I said. “I came because I need clean edges.”