Tom’s jovial demeanor faltered slightly, and Karen’s smile wavered, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, finally looking at me with something other than detachment. The silence stretched across the table, heavy with unspoken tension.

“I understand the importance of family,” I continued, “but I also know that my mom’s inheritance is not a tool for guilt or manipulation. It’s a chance for me to build a future she would be proud of.”A part of me expected backlash, but instead, there was an air of awkward realization. Karen leaned back slightly, her fingers retreating from the bill as if it had suddenly become too hot to touch. Tom nodded slowly, perhaps grasping the boundaries that should have never been crossed.