A bone-deep chill washed over me. I knew there was no reasoning with them. I went straight to my room, locked the door, and called the police.
The dispatcher said they'd be there within fifteen minutes. I hung up and barely had time to exhale before the door was kicked open.
My parents' faces were a twisted mess of panic and fury. They lunged at me, clawing and shoving. "You actually called the cops? You ungrateful wretch, are you trying to get Ethel killed?!"
Ethel herself planted a kick square in my stomach, sending me crashing to the floor. But there was no fear on her face. She was grinning, wild and triumphant.
"Relax, Mom, Dad. Even if the police show up, even if God himself walks through that door, Abigail's never getting that money back."
My parents hesitated. "But it's her settlement. When the police get here, they really won't do anything?"
"Of course not." Ethel's face was smug, her voice dripping with certainty. "Because that money was given on my account in the first place."