Inside, the atmosphere was just as cold as before. Robert was there this time, sitting at the polished dining table, a fake smile plastered across his face. His mother soon joined, her eyes narrowing at the sight of me. The tension was thick, but I had resolved not to let it sway me.

“Robert, Carol,” I began, my voice steady. “I know the truth about your so-called ‘perfect life.’” I laid out the documents, evidence of their financial woes, their lies, and their manipulations. As I spoke, Robert’s face turned ashen, and Carol’s haughty demeanor faltered.

“We’re a family,” I continued, more for Brenda’s sake than theirs. “And we deal with our problems together. But this… this is not how you treat family.”