I pushed the door open and stepped out. Mom’s jaw dropped. “Lauren?”
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Mia.” I closed the door and stood there in my blazer and heels. Their gazes darted between me and the car, as if searching for the punchline.
“Since when do you drive that?” Mia asked. “I thought you were still at the hospital.”
“I was,” I said. “I’m not anymore.”
Mom lifted her chin, smoothing her blouse. “Well, see?” she said with forced cheer. “I knew you just needed a push. Tough love worked. You could have called.”
“Tough love,” I echoed. “Is that what we’re calling clearing out my room and throwing coffee on me?”
Her smile tightened. “You were negative, Lauren. We had to make space. Mia needed a quiet room. You were always broke and stressed. It wasn’t fair.”
“I wasn’t broke,” I said. “I was paying the rent and tuition with overtime.”
They both glanced away.
I slipped a thin folder from my bag. “I’m not here to replay that night,” I said. “I’m here about the house.”
“Mr. Greene hasn’t found a buyer yet,” Mom replied.
“He has,” I said. “Me.”
“You bought this place?” Mia burst out. “With nurse money?”
“Tech money,” I corrected. “I left nursing for a healthcare-software company, stuck with it, and when we went public, I did well.” I kept it brief. “When Mr. Greene decided to sell, he offered it to the only person who’d ever paid on time.”
A flush crept up Mom’s neck. “So now you’re rich and want revenge on your own family?”
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