Nobody ever thanked me.
Instead, they called me difficult.
Cold.
Jealous.
The family failure.
I picked up my glass of water.
“Dad,” I said calmly, “you’re going to regret saying that.”
For a single second, silence fell over the table.
Then everyone burst out laughing.
Daniel leaned back in his chair.
“Listen to the loser threatening us.”
Chloe smirked. “What are you going to do, Rachel? Send us a spreadsheet?”
Mom shook her head.
“This is why nobody can relax around you.”
I got to my feet.
Dad pointed toward my chair.
“Sit down. Don’t ruin your mother’s day.”
I looked around at each of them.
Then I smiled.
“I think Mother’s Day is already perfect.”
I walked out without even touching dessert.
Behind me, Daniel called out, “Don’t forget to pay your share!”
Another round of laughter followed.
Outside, I stood beneath the restaurant awning while rain fell across the street.
My phone vibrated.
An email had arrived from our outside counsel.
