I looked up from the letter, meeting Karen’s eyes. Her smile wavered slightly, sensing the shift in my demeanor. Ethan finally looked up, his expression unreadable but tinged with curiosity.“I’m sorry,” I said, slipping the letter back into my purse. “I can’t do that.”

The words hung in the air, a mix of surprise and disbelief reflected in their faces. Karen’s smile faded, replaced by a slight frown. Tom shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and Ethan looked like he’d been snapped out of a trance.“Claire,” Karen started, but I raised a hand to stop her.“No, Karen, please. Let me finish.” My voice was calm, steady—more confident than I felt moments ago. “This money was a gift from my mom, a way for her to ensure I’m secure, even when she’s not here. I want to honor her by using it wisely and thoughtfully, not on a single extravagant dinner.”