“Mom, my mother-in-law is living with us… and she’s making our lives miserable. Please come to the family meeting tomorrow,” she said, almost in a whisper.

“One does what one can with the resources provided, especially since this house belongs to my daughter and my son in law,” she replied with a smirk. She told the guests that anyone can provide the money but that true class is something entirely different.

The room became silent as everyone watched us, and I noticed that Wesley was clenching his jaw while Skylar looked down at the floor. I slowly opened my leather bag to take out a navy blue folder while mentioning that we should discuss who is actually providing the money for this home.

Beverly let out a high pitched giggle and asked if I was going to bring up my bills during a birthday celebration. I placed the folder on the table without opening it yet so that the growing silence could do its work on the atmosphere.

I remembered seeing Skylar collapse in the kitchen three weeks ago because Beverly was screaming about how she folded the laundry. Skylar had sobbed that her mother was convinced I only bought the house to control them and that only Beverly knew how to lead a family.