Chapter 4 - THE MOTHER'S DEFENSE
Susan came prepared to the meeting.
That bothered Erin more than denial would have.
She brought binders.
Receipts.
Tax records.
Medical bills.
Mortgage statements.
“You want to call me a thief?” Susan said. “Then read.”
Erin did.
After David died, the family mortgage nearly defaulted.
Insurance covered less than expected.
Susan had not worked full-time in years.
Grandmother’s medical expenses were real.
Erin’s elite wrestling training had cost tens of thousands.
Travel.
Coaches.
Equipment.
Susan pointed to one page.
“You got the scholarship because I paid for that.”
Erin said nothing.
“Without that scholarship, your college costs would have been worse than the account withdrawals.”
Maybe true.
Susan continued:
“I didn’t spend your money on handbags.”
Erin looked at Madison’s designer dress receipt in another packet.
Susan’s jaw tightened.
“Not then.”
There.
A difference.
Early withdrawals may have kept the family alive.
Later ones had funded Meridian Grove.
Erin asked:
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were fourteen.”
“What about when I was eighteen?”
“You had a scholarship.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
Susan’s voice rose.
“You were succeeding! Madison wasn’t!”
Erin stopped.
There it was.
The family rule.
Erin did well.
Therefore Erin needed less.
Madison struggled.
Therefore Madison deserved more.
Susan saw the anger.
“You think I loved her more.”
“Didn’t you?”
“No.”
“Then why protect her from every consequence?”
Susan’s face changed.
“Because you always landed on your feet.”
Erin laughed bitterly.
“Because you never gave me another option.”
Susan leaned back.
“Fine. Yes. I relied on you.”
“Without asking.”
“I was your mother.”
“You were manager of money Dad left to me.”
Silence.
Then Susan made her strongest point.
“Meridian Grove can still work.”
She pulled out projections.
The project was delayed, not dead.
A new retail tenant was negotiating.
Property values could recover.
“If Madison withdraws her trust now, the bridge lender forces a sale. We lose everything.”
“Everything?”
“The family’s equity.”
“Your equity.”
“Your father’s legacy.”
There was the word.
Legacy.
Used like a rope.
Then Susan said quietly:
“If you pay Madison’s tuition for two years, the project gets time.”
Erin stared.
“And the Lamborghini?”
Susan looked embarrassed.
“That was Madison being Madison.”
From the hallway came Madison’s voice.
“No. It wasn’t.”
They turned.
Madison stood there.
“I only asked because Mom promised me one if I signed the loan extension.”
Susan went completely still.
Erin looked at her mother.
May you like
The supercar was not a spoiled whim.
It was payment.
