"That's right. You're the apple of our eye. Nothing we do for you is ever too much."

I yanked the door open. The three of them stood there, a picture of domestic bliss, and something inside me cracked. Fury. Disappointment. A bitterness so deep it burned.

"Mom. Dad. That ten million was my compensation. You transferred it without even asking me? Give it back."

The smiles on my parents' faces hardened. They looked at me the way they always did when I inconvenienced them.

"We're family. There's no 'yours' and 'mine.' If we don't use this money to pay off Ethel's debts, you think the loan sharks will just leave her alone? Why can't you stand to see your sister catch a break?"

Anger flared white-hot in my chest. "I can't stand to see her catch a break? Every dollar I've earned for years went to this family or to covering her gambling debts. But she keeps doubling down, every single time. I'm done."

"Abigail Swanson, have you lost your mind?" Cole Swanson's eyes bulged as he jabbed a finger at my face. "You're not even a whole woman anymore. You're useless! Your sister is the only one who can give us grandchildren. If you won't help her, do you want the Swanson bloodline to end?"

I drew a long, steadying breath. "I need this money because of what happened to me. I need it for treatment abroad. Give it back, or I'm calling the police."

"You ungrateful wretch!" He jabbed his finger so close it nearly touched my nose. "I should've drowned you when you were born, you heartless animal!"

A sharp pain lanced through my chest. I held my ground.

"You have three minutes to transfer the money back. Then I'm calling the police."

"Abigail, sweetheart."

Leah Swanson pushed Cole aside and rushed toward me.

"I carried you for nine months. I raised you through blood, sweat, and tears. For my sake, just help one more time. Please?"

"I'm begging you. I'll get on my knees if that's what it takes..."

She started to lower herself, bending at the knees, and instinct took over. I reached out to catch her, my gaze sweeping across the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, the silver threading through her temples. My throat tightened.

For a long moment, I said nothing.

Then I steeled myself.

"Mom, you do this every time. You guilt me into bailing Ethel out. But this time I genuinely need this money. I'm begging you. Please stop pushing me."

When she saw I wasn't budging, my mother dropped to her knees.