I’ve always been easy to talk to, but this time I was firm. My mom’s face went pale, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Claire, what’s gotten into you? You’re going against everything I say. Let me tell you, if you dare adopt a child, I’ll pretend I never had a daughter!”
In the past, those words would’ve broken me, and I would’ve immediately backed down. But things are different now. I looked at her smug face and smiled. “That’s perfect—I can finally move out.”
Her face froze, and she glanced nervously at Lilith.
I calmly added, “Mom, cutting ties is fine, but let’s be clear. I won’t be responsible for any of your expenses anymore, and you can forget about getting a single penny from me!”
Before my mom could respond, Lilith frowned. “Claire, how can you talk to your mom like that? You’re an adult still living at home, relying on others. How do you justify talking to her like this?”
My mom, catching on to what I meant, cried even harder. “Your dad passed away early, and I worked so hard to raise you. And this is how you repay me? Claire, have you lost your conscience?”
I sneered, “You’re mistaken, Lilith. I have my own place. The only reason I’ve been staying here is because Mom said Richard doesn’t make much, and since you refuse to work, the family needed extra support. As for relying on others—that’s never been the case for me.”
My mom’s face twisted, and she dropped the fake tears, slapping me hard across the face. “Don’t you dare spread lies! When did I ever say that?”
Ethan smirked, watching me get hit. “Serves you right!”
My cheek stung, but I didn’t flinch. “You know what you said, Mom.”
“Know what?” she yelled back, furious. “Claire, you’re so ungrateful! After all these years, this is how you repay me?”
“Mom, don’t try to guilt-trip me. Cutting ties was your decision, not mine,” I said coolly. “No matter what you say, I’m adopting that child.”
I turned and walked away, ignoring her wails and curses about how I’d get hit by a car and die.
To outsiders, my mom was the picture of kindness—easygoing and always smiling. But with me, she was venomous, wishing me dead with every harsh word. I used to think I just couldn’t make her happy, but now I see she’d prefer me dead, just to get her hands on my money.