Chapter 2 - The Golden Child's Smirk
The polite chuckles around the dining table instantly died.
Arthur’s teasing, condescending smile tightened into a rigid, patronizing frown. He leaned slightly forward over the cream linens, gripping his bourbon glass. He stared at his youngest daughter as if she had just spoken in a foreign language.
"You bought a house?" Arthur asked, his tone dripping with utter disbelief and pure skepticism. "With what money, Stella? The last time we spoke, you were still working at that non-profit organization. You don't have the credit score for a mortgage, let alone the down payment."
Beside Arthur, Stella’s mother, Helen, adjusted her dark-green blouse. She sighed heavily, shaking her head. "Stella, please don't lie at the dinner table. It’s Thanksgiving. Let Cara have her moment. You don't have to be jealous."
Cara let out a soft, mocking laugh. She took a delicate bite of her pecan pie.
"It's okay, Mom," Cara smiled sweetly, her polished blonde hair catching the chandelier light. "Not everyone is cut out for homeownership. Trev and I worked incredibly hard to save for our colonial. It takes a lot of discipline. Maybe Stella just signed a new lease on her apartment and got confused."
Trevor, Cara’s husband, sat straight up in his chair. Wearing a charcoal shirt, the early-30s man chuckled, resting his arm possessively over the back of Cara's chair. "Yeah, real estate is a bloodbath right now, Stella. You have to have real capital to play the game."
Stella didn't react to the barrage of insults. She reached out and lifted her crystal water glass with a terrifyingly steady hand.
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"I bought a house a year ago," Stella stated, her voice cutting through the heavy tension like a knife. "I just didn't invite anyone who doubts me."
👉 What massive secret is Stella hiding about the house she supposedly bought a year ago?
