Chapter 1 - THE GRADUATION DEMAND
Erin Parker had imagined graduation many times.
She imagined her mother crying.
She imagined Madison pretending not to be impressed.
She imagined photographs, hugs, maybe dinner.
She did not imagine Susan grabbing her arm before Erin had even removed the cap.
“Starting next month, you pay Madison’s tuition.”
Erin turned slowly.
“What?”
Susan stood in an elegant beige dress, blonde hair perfect despite the wind.
Madison stood beside her in pink designer silk, sunglasses perched on top of her head.
Susan repeated:
“You heard me.”
Erin looked between them.
“Sixty thousand a year?”
Susan’s mouth tightened.
“She deserves it.”
Erin laughed once.
Not because it was funny.
“Deserves what?”
“A good education.”
“I just spent four years getting mine.”
“And you graduated.”
“Correct.”
Susan stepped closer.
“So now you help your sister.”
Madison smiled.
“And I want a Lamborghini for campus.”
Erin stared at her.
“A what?”
“A Lamborghini.”
Susan pointed at Erin as though approving a grocery item.
“Then buy her one.”
Erin looked at the crowd around them.
Friends were beginning to notice.
Parents too.
She laughed again.
“You want me to pay tuition and buy her a supercar?”
Susan snapped:
“Stop being selfish and do something for your sister!”
Madison folded her arms.
“Come on, Erin. You can afford it.”
Could she?
Maybe.
Erin’s sports-recovery startup had just closed a major licensing deal.
But “can” had become the family’s favorite word.
You can work.
You can sacrifice.
You can understand.
You can handle it.
Erin handed her diploma to her friend Jess.
Then she removed her graduation gown and dropped it on the grass.
Susan frowned.
“What are you doing?”
Erin rolled her shoulders.
Years of wrestling had built muscle under the simple dress she wore beneath the gown.
Madison’s smile faded.
Erin stepped forward.
“Okay.”
Susan blinked.
“Okay what?”
Erin raised both hands into a wrestling stance.
“If she can beat me, I’ll pay her tuition and buy the Lamborghini.”
Madison stared.
“What?”
Erin nodded toward her.
“Well?”
A circle formed automatically.
Madison looked at Susan.
Susan whispered:
“She won’t actually hurt you.”
That sentence told Erin everything.
Even now, Susan expected Erin to protect Madison from the consequences of Madison’s own choices.
Madison clenched her fists.
“Fine.”
She kicked off her heels.
The crowd backed away.
Erin smiled slightly.
Then Susan shouted:
“Wait!”
Everyone turned.
Her face had changed.
Not worry.
Panic.
“Erin owes you the money anyway.”
Erin lowered her hands.
“Owes?”
Susan realized too late.
Then said the words that opened nine years of lies.
“Your father left it for both of you.”
May you like
Erin stopped breathing.
Because Susan had always told her their father left nothing.
