Chapter 5 - The Gathering Storm
Sunday arrived under an overcast, suffocating sky.
My mother’s house was a traditional split-level suburban home that had hosted decades of Thanksgiving arguments, but tonight the air was charged with executioner’s energy.
Theron and I walked through the front door at five sharp. Maya was staying at a trusted friend’s house for a sleepover—or so Tamsin believed. In reality, Maya was with Jaren and Bryer, keeping the violin safe.
The moment we entered the living room, the conversation died.
My mother sat in her floral armchair like a presiding judge. Tamsin was curled up on the loveseat, clutching a mug of tea, her face free of makeup to emphasize her supposed despair. Uncle Robert and Aunt Evelyn flanked her like armed guards.
"Well," Mother started, not bothering to offer greetings. "The queen has arrived."
"Good evening to you too, Mom," I said, sitting down calmly on the sofa opposite Tamsin. Theron took a seat beside me, his posture relaxed, his notebook tucked discreetly into his jacket.
"Maren," Uncle Robert spoke up, his voice heavy with patriarchal authority. "We’ve seen the posts. We’ve seen the eviction warning Tamsin received. How could you cut off your own sister with three days' notice? In this economy?"
"Because Tamsin is thirty-four years old," I said evenly. "She doesn't work. Jaren works fifty hours a week at the logistics depot, and yet she spends his entire paycheck within forty-eight hours."
"That's a lie!" Tamsin shrieked, springing upright. Tears appeared on cue. "I manage the household! I stretch every dollar! You have millions from your tech firm, Maren! Millions! And you begrudge your only niece a roof over her head and a two-hundred-dollar violin!"
"Is that why you took five hundred dollars out of Bryer’s college account on Tuesday?" I asked.
Tamsin froze. Her mouth opened, then snapped shut.
"What is she talking about, Tamsin?" Aunt Evelyn asked, frowning slightly.
"She’s lying to distract you!" Tamsin deflected rapidly, her voice climbing an octave. "She hates me! She’s always hated that Dad loved me more! And now she bought her own daughter a brand-new four-thousand-dollar concert instrument just to rub it in my face!"
I arched an eyebrow. "How do you know the violin cost four thousand dollars, Tamsin?"
A sudden silence fell over the room.
Tamsin blinked, realizing the trap she had walked into. "I... Jaren told me! He saw it in your house when he dropped off some tools!"
"Jaren didn't know the price," I replied coldly. "Only Marcus Davies and I knew the price. Which means you went through my mail or hacked into my order confirmations."
"You bought Maya a four-thousand-dollar violin when she plays the cello?!" Mother gasped, glaring at me with raw disgust. "Just to flaunt your wealth while Bryer's dreams are in ashes? Maren, you have turned into a monster."
"The violin is in my home," I said quietly. "Where it belongs."
"You make me sick," Tamsin hissed, trembling with rage. "You think you're untouchable because you have money. You think you can treat us like dirt and dangle your shiny toys in front of my daughter's face!"
May you like
"Dinner is ready," Mother declared, rising stiffly. "And before we eat, Maren, you are going to write a check for the back rent, or you are no longer welcome in this family."
"Then don't set a plate for us," Theron said calmly, standing up. "Because we’re leaving."
