My Mom Hid Gold In Her Truffle Box Chapter 02

My Mom Hid Gold In Her Truffle Box Chapter 02

It was always the same.

But today, I finally saw it for what it was. Every time Chloe threw a fit, Mom made a show of choosing me, and I took all the heat for it.

I’d walk away feeling grateful and guilty, always the first to cave. And Chloe was the one who walked away with everything.

“Mom, if Chloe wants to trade, then we’ll trade.” I left no room for argument.

“I want to see exactly how much I’ve supposedly gotten out of this.”

My aunt stood up, frowning.

“Trade what? It’s ten pounds of chocolate, Eleanor. Just give it to her. What’s the big deal?”

I whirled to face them.

“Haven’t I given up enough?”

“My whole life, anything she wanted, I handed it over. Every single time.”

Dad stepped in, playing peacemaker.

“All right, all right. It’s Thanksgiving. Can we not do this right now?”

“Look, your mother and I have spoiled you a little more. Chloe has every right to be upset.”

“You are the older sister. Just let this go.”

Every word out of his mouth made the weight in my chest sink a little deeper.

They gave Chloe real, solid gold. And somehow, they still stood there with straight faces, claiming I was the favorite.

Dad’s words were all the fuel Chloe needed. She rounded on me.

“Drop the act. You owe me this. Giving in to me is the least you can do!”

“Mom’s been on your side for years. You’ve taken way more than your share!”

“You want to do this, Eleanor? Fine. Let’s add it all up right here. Let everyone see who Mom and Dad really favor.”

She crossed her arms, chin tilted up.

“But if the numbers show I got less, Eleanor, Mom, and Dad are all paying me the difference!”

Mom raised her hand and landed a sharp slap on Chloe’s cheek.

“Chloe, what are you doing? Keep your mouth shut. Right now!”

Then she turned to me.

“Eleanor, sweetie, if you start adding it up, you’ll owe Chloe a fortune. I don’t want to see you lose all that money.”

She was still playing the devoted mother, still pretending this was about protecting me. It didn’t work anymore.

“Mom, I’ll pay.” I kept my voice steady.

“I want to see for myself just how much you and Dad have done for me.”

I looked around.

“Everyone in this room is my witness.”

“Anything Mom and Dad gave me that Chloe didn’t get, I’ll pay her the difference. Every cent.”

The relatives traded looks. My aunt sighed.

“Eleanor, why are you doing this to yourself? You know how much your mother does for you.”

Chloe stepped forward and started counting off on her fingers.

“Let’s start with college. Mom and Dad gave me five hundred a month for living expenses.”

“I asked Mom. You got three times that!”

“Fifteen hundred a month. That’s a thousand more than me, every single month!”

Everyone went quiet.

“Four years. Twelve months a year. That’s forty-eight thousand dollars!” Chloe’s voice was climbing.

“You owe me that money, Eleanor. And I want it today!”

The color drained from Mom’s face. Her lips parted, but nothing came out.

Dad stared at her. Even he looked stunned.

His mouth opened, then closed. Whatever he wanted to ask, he swallowed it.

But the relatives didn’t hold back. The room erupted, and every word was aimed at me.