Then she said something I never expected.

“You think I wanted this?”

I leaned against the wall across from her. “Wanted what?”

She let out a bitter laugh. “Being the favorite. Being the one everyone rescues. It sounds great until you realize no one expects you to stand on your own. They just keep handing you another cushion and calling it love.”

I should have felt satisfied. Instead, I just felt tired.

“You still accepted it,” I said quietly.

Her eyes filled. “I know.”

That could have been the start of something honest—but Derek interrupted, waving his phone. “COBRA only covers part of it. There’s still a deductible, and the orthopedic specialist is out of network. We’re going to owe thousands.” He looked straight at me. “If you were any kind of aunt, you’d cover the gap.”

There it was again. Not gratitude. Not humility. Entitlement dressed up as duty.

Before I could respond, Curtis stepped forward. “Do not ask her again tonight. If you need payment plans, hardship applications, or appeals, I’ll help you file them. But no one here is entitled to her money.”

Derek opened his mouth, then closed it.

For a moment, I felt something unexpected: relief. Not because the crisis was over—it wasn’t—but because someone had finally said aloud what I had spent years trying to explain. Helping is not the same as being used. Mercy is not obligation. And love without respect is just control with a softer face.

By morning, Owen was stable. The surgery had gone well. I stopped by recovery, kissed his forehead, and left before another argument could start.

I thought that would be the end.

I was wrong.

Two days later, my mother showed up at my apartment unannounced.

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