5
We arrived at the realtor’s.
“Ashley, is this… Meadowbrook Estates?
These houses are a fortune!” David gasped.
“Only the best for my nephew,” I said
smoothly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw their faces
light up with avarice.
“Two houses,” I told the realtor. “Side–by-
side. Price is no object.”
The realtor’s eyes gleamed. She presented
two brochures. “These fit the bill perfectly.
Just over a million each, a steal!”
“Perfect,” I said.
Jenny whispered, “Two houses?”
I smiled at Mom. “One for my nephew, and
one for my wonderful mother. I can’t leave her
out, can I?”
Mom fluttered her eyelashes. “Oh, honey,
such a grand house for an old woman like
me…”
943
“Don’t be silly, Mom!” Jenny scolded. “Accept
Ashley’s gift! You’ll hurt her feelings.”
Mom sighed dramatically. “Ashley, you’re too
good to me.”
David eyed me. “Where did you get this kind
of money, Ash?”
く
Mom and Jenny looked at me expectantly.
I hesitated. “It’s… confidential. We signed
NDAS.”
“Aw, come on, Ash. We’re family,” David
wheedled.
“Yeah, honey, family,” Mom echoed. “Share
the wealth.”
I bit my lip. “Okay, but swear you’ll keep it
quiet. A friend got me into this investment
opportunity. Triple your money.”
David’s jaw dropped. “Triple? Holy moly!”
Mom practically vibrated with greed.
く
Jenny frowned. “Are you sure this is legit?
Sounds like a scam.”
The realtor returned with the paperwork and a
card reader. “Ms. Davis, I’ve reserved the properties. $10,000 deposit on each, and the
balance due in two weeks.” She paused.
“Whose names go on the deeds?”
I swiped my card for $20,000. “One for my
mother, and one for my brother and his wife.”
Jenny’s eyes bulged.
On the drive back, David and Jenny whispered
conspiratorially. As I parked, Jenny spoke.
“Ashley, David and I want in on that
investment.”
L
I frowned. “It’s closed, Jenny. No more
investors.”
“Put it in your name then!” David insisted.
“The allocations are fixed,” I protested.
Jenny transferred $100,000 to my account.
“Please, Ashley?”
Mom chimed in, transferring another
$100,000. “Make me rich, honey!”
I sighed. “Fine.”
They erupted in cheers, already spending
their imagined windfall. I lowered my gaze, my
eyes burning with hatred. Their joy wouldn’t
last long.
