"Pretending to be bedridden all day. The figure I worked so hard to maintain with yoga is going to ruin."
Dad drained his glass. "These years haven't been easy for me either."
"When Lily was home, I didn't even dare smoke a cigar. Held it in until my whole body ached."
Serena cut cake for them, her tone soothing. "Once my sister gets into college, we can come clean."
"The mansion, the luxury cars, the family business—it'll more than make up for what she's suffered."
"And you two can finally rest. No more pretending to be poor in that rundown dump."
Dad smirked. "Lily really didn't disappoint our careful training."
"Only a senior in high school, and she already earned twenty-four thousand dollars. She's got my style from back in the day."
Serena lifted her glass, smiling.
"I used that money to buy a bottle of '82 Lafite. Not a cent more, not a cent less. Consider it my sister showing filial respect ahead of time."
"On her behalf—thank you both for your hard work."
Mom looked indulgent, her tone gently reproachful. "Serena, you've got nerve."
"If you hadn't spent all your time playing around, would your dad and I have had to go to such lengths with Lily?"