Then she handed me a note.
My fingers trembled.
She stepped toward the twins, her voice sweet as poisoned honey.
“Girls… you can have this. All of it. But there’s just ONE condition.”
Emma and Clara’s hands hovered uncertainly near the gowns, sensing the air shift. I knew they couldn’t see Lauren’s smirk, but they felt the tension.
I unfolded the note.
My jaw clenched.
I looked at Lauren. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m VERY serious,” she purred.
Emma reached forward timidly. “Dad? What is it?”
Lauren beat me to it. “It’s simple, sweetheart. If you want these beautiful dresses… if you want opportunity, fame, a REAL chance at life…”
She leaned in, voice low, wicked—“You must come live with ME. Leave your father. Permanently.”
Silence.
A cold, suffocating silence.
Emma’s hand tightened around Clara’s.
I felt my world tilt.
Lauren crossed her arms triumphantly. “I can give you what he never could. Connections, wealth, a REAL home. He held you back. I’ll take you forward.”
Clara’s voice trembled. “But… Dad taught us everything.”
Lauren laughed. “Exactly my point.”
Emma was the first to stand.
