She slapped me so hard my ear rang. “What the hell did you do with our money, Lauren?”
I stared at her, blinking back the stars in my vision. “What are you talking about?”
She shoved a folder of bank statements into my chest. “Gambling? All those debts under your name? We lost everything! Do you know how embarrassing this is for me?”
I shook my head, my voice a whisper. “No… I didn’t— I never—”
“It’s your name!” she screamed. “You filthy, useless—”
Nadia’s voice floated in behind her like a snake’s hiss. “Mom, what’s wrong?”
My mother whirled around. “Your sister’s a gambler! She ruined us!”
Nadia gasped — wide-eyed, all innocent sweetness. “Mom, I wanted to tell you. I found out weeks ago but… I didn’t want Lauren to get mad at me for telling. I’m so sorry, Mom. I should have told you.”
My mouth dropped open. “That’s a lie! You used my name—”
The second slap split my lip. “Liar! After everything I did for you!” My mother grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked until I screamed.
Nadia just stood behind her, eyes wide and fake-sorry.