At a table laden with meat and seafood, my mother-in-law was the only person who left me with an empty plate: “We’ve run out of food for you.”

waited for him to speak. To defend me. To ask why his mother could spend hundreds on an extravagant dinner for Lauren while treating me like an unwanted guest.

Daniel simply kept chewing. “Mom’s just like that,” he whispered, refusing to meet my eyes. “Don’t make a scene.”

That whisper hurt more than his mother’s insult.

I stood. “All right.”

Theresa raised an eyebrow. “Are you seriously offended?”

“No,” I replied calmly. “I just finally understand.”

I picked up my purse. Lauren giggled softly. “Some people have money, but zero