"It's just seven hundred thousand dollars, isn't it? Is that so much? Besides, Mom's money is hers to give to whomever she wants. We're all family. Why are you so fussy?"
I stopped in my tracks, turned to glare at the loathsome face of the vested interest and snapped back.
“Yeah, seven hundred thousand dollars isn’t much to you. Mom can give her money to whomever she wants, but I’m still her daughter!”
"Over the years, you've lived a carefree and happy life in the city, while we've been taking care of Mom and Dad around the clock whenever they fell ill, day or night."
"We provide all the daily necessities, from food to seasonal clothing, for them."
"You guys just go home, have a meal and leave right after, while Caleb and I have to work from dawn till dusk."
"I've given everything—paying off car loans and mortgages, caring for my sick mother-in-law. Why should I receive not a single penny of the seven hundred thousand dollars demolition compensation!"
I spotted the apple in the living room, hurried over to grab it, then turned to Isabel, saying,
"Yesterday, you saw Viola eating Arkansas black apple on Instagram story and commented that you wanted to try it too, so I bought it for you."
“Viola might be rich, but has she ever spent a single penny on you!”
“If she truly cared about you, it wouldn't be me—a warehouse clerk making four hundred twenty-five dollars a month—buying you Arkansas black apples today!”
Viola's face flushed crimson as she glared at me and argued back. "Isla! Stop stirring up trouble here!"
My words were like a thorn, piercing deep into my mother's heart.
Years of pent-up resentment had nearly overwhelmed me. I looked at her, tears streaming down my face.
“Your menus always only include dishes Viola and Ronan like. Do you even know I'm allergic to seafood?”
"You've been favoring Viola since we were child. I've watched over you and taken care of you all these years, thinking you'd at least share some affection with me, but you're still the same."
"The good things always go to Viola. Since that's the case, you can just go to her if you need anything in the future!"
Isabel gasped for breath, then suddenly raised her hand and slapped me hard in the face, pointing at me and yelling.
"You petty, ungrateful wretch! I raised you with blood, sweat and tears and you've turned me against me!"