Our mom died when I was twelve. Dad remarried Carla two years later. Then last year Dad died suddenly from a heart attack, and everything in our house changed overnight.
Carla took control of everything.
Bills. Accounts. Mail. Money.
Mom had left savings for Noah and me. Dad always said it was meant for “important things.” School. College. Big moments.
Apparently, Carla had a different idea of what “important” meant.
Prom came up about a month ago.
She was sitting at the kitchen table scrolling through her phone when I said carefully, “Prom is in three weeks. I need a dress.”
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