OF LUXURY AND LIES
The first declined payment came the following morning.
Madison tried buying a $6,800 handbag at a luxury department store.
My banking app alerted me instantly.
Five minutes afterward, she called.
“Emily!” she shrieked. “Your stupid card isn’t working!”
“That’s because I canceled it.”
Silence followed.
Then she laughed.
“Very funny. Reactivate it.”
“No.”
“Mom!”
I heard Mom grab the phone.
“Emily, stop embarrassing your sister. We have guests coming this weekend.”
“Then pay for them yourselves.”
“You ungrateful little—”
I hung up.
Over the next