Part 2: Aaron’s Turn
The pain was unbearable.
Ice-cold water suddenly splashed against my skin.
A soaked napkin pressed gently against my cheek.
Aaron.
He had crossed the room before anyone else moved.
“Keep this on the burn,” he whispered.
Then he stood.
The entire room watched him.
Aaron adjusted his sleeves.
Calm.
Controlled.
Dangerously calm.
He looked at my mother.
“Diane,” he said quietly.
“You just committed felony assault.”
My mother scoffed.
“This is a family matter.”
“No.”
Aaron’s voice cut through the room.
“It became a legal matter the moment you threw boiling liquid into Rebecca’s face.”
Then he pulled out his phone.
“And before the police arrive, I think everyone deserves to know exactly who Rebecca really is.”
My father visibly paled.
Madison stopped smiling.
Aaron looked around the room.
“Three years ago this house was entering foreclosure.”
A murmur spread through the guests.
“Rebecca paid one hundred forty thousand dollars to stop it.”
Gasps erupted.
Aaron continued.
“She also assumed the mortgage.”
My mother’s face turned white.
Aaron looked around the room.
“Legally speaking, this house belongs to Rebecca.”
Shock swept through the guests.
My father lowered his head.
Madison looked as though someone had punched her.
“That’s not true!” she shouted.
Aaron turned toward her.
“Really?”
He opened another document.
“Should we discuss DePaul University?”
Madison froze.
“Your tuition?”
“Paid by Rebecca.”
“Your apartment?”
“Rebecca.”
“Your Jeep?”
“Rebecca.”
“Your vacations?”
“Rebecca.”
“The country club membership your mother brags about?”
“Rebecca.”
The room became completely silent.
For years everyone had believed Diane and Gerald Harlan were successful.
Respected.
Comfortable.
May you like
The truth was far uglier.
They had been surviving entirely on the generosity of the daughter they treated like a burden.
