Chapter 2 - Entitled Demands
Marianne didn't even blink at Claire’s warning. She waved her hand dismissively in the air, treating her eldest daughter like an annoying insect.
"Don't be dramatic, Claire," Marianne snapped condescendingly, turning toward her husband. "Start with the upstairs rooms, Dale. Put Brittany’s king-sized mattress in the corner bedroom."
Dale grunted and lifted another box from the back of the moving truck, heading straight for the front steps. Brittany smirked, adjusting her pink hoodie while her kids ran wild across Claire’s manicured front lawn, kicking over the potted flowers near the entryway.
Evan stepped forward, blocking the front door with his broad shoulders. "Dale, set that box down. You take one more step into this house, and I will physically throw you off the porch."
"You won't do a damn thing, Evan!" Marianne barked, stepping up onto the porch and thrusting her finger into Evan’s face. "This is my family! Claire owes me! I raised her, and now that she’s living in this luxury four-bedroom home, it’s time she shares it with people who actually need it!"
For years, Marianne had favored Brittany, her child from her second marriage.
Whenever Brittany ran into financial trouble—which was constantly—Marianne expected Claire to bail her out. When Brittany got evicted from her apartment two months ago for unpaid rent, Marianne had secretly promised her that they would all move into Claire’s suburban home once the baby arrived.
Marianne believed Claire was weak. She thought that a mother who had just given birth three days ago would be too tired, too hormonal, and too overwhelmed to fight back.
"Claire, be reasonable," Marianne wheedled, changing her tone to a fake, sickly-sweet murmur. "You and Evan only have one baby. You don't need four bedrooms. Brittany has two boys and another on the way. You’re being selfish!"
Claire looked at her mother, feeling the last remaining threads of filial affection snap inside her heart.
"I am not giving you a single room, Mother," Claire said, her voice cold as steel.
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"You don't have a choice!" Marianne sneered, dropping her mask instantly. "We’re already here, the lease on our old place is up, and we aren't leaving!"
👉 Click to continue reading and see how Claire responded to her mother’s ultimatum.
