“I wanted my family to have a decent meal of brisket and ribs.”

“You expect us to live on a strict budget, but you can throw money at a catering company?” Dan asked, his brow furrowing.

“I had to use my savings, Daniel,” Juliette said, her voice dropping into that familiar, self-pitying tone.

“I have almost nothing left.”

“You know how hard things have been for me since your father passed.”

Sarah let out a sharp, bitter laugh.

The sound cut through the hot kitchen like a knife.

Juliette glared at her eldest daughter.

“Is something funny, Sarah?” she asked.

Sarah gripped her water bottle tighter.

The plastic crinkled loudly in the quiet room.

“You don’t have savings, Mom,” Sarah said.

“Because you didn’t touch your savings for that food.”

“Sarah, be quiet,” Juliette warned, her eyes narrowing.

“No,” Sarah said, stepping forward.

“I’m tired of the lying.”

“I’m tired of watching Annie work herself to death while you pretend you’re a pauper.”

Dan looked back and forth between his sister and his mother.

“What are you talking about, Sarah?” he asked.