Laura's body stiffened.
Mary continued, her tone no longer gentle.
"Sneaking money out of my children's piggy banks… taking small things from the house… and then reselling them for your own profit…"
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Did you really think no one would notice?"
Laura's eyes widened in shock, her breath hitching. 'She… she knew?'
That little "side hustle" she had been so careful about, taking items that wouldn't immediately raise suspicion, selling them quietly for small gains, she had thought she was being clever.
But Mary had been watching.
All along.
A flicker of embarrassment flashed across Laura's face, quickly replaced by indignation.
Her lips curled as she straightened, her voice rising defensively.
"So this is how you treat your own mother?" she snapped. "You're truly heartless, Mary. Your own flesh and blood and you speak to me like this?"
Mary didn't flinch.
