The Manipulation Machine
By morning, the guilt-trip chorus began.
“You can’t be serious.”
“This isn’t how family works.”
“Your father’s health can’t handle this stress—it’ll be on you.”
When Ila appeared at his door, her anger barely disguised her desperation. “You’ve lost your mind, Martin. Do you know what this does to us?”
Martin looked at her steadily. “No. Do you know what this has done to me?”
Her silence was answer enough.
