Chapter 1Can't decide what to get my brother for his wedding at Tiffany's. Then I heard the sales girl.
"Older sisters are PSYCHO now. Kept butting into her brother's wedding. Made the bride cry."
I'm standing there like—Jesus, what a bitch. I'd NEVER do that.
Lady next to her goes, "Just put the wrong date on her invite. She shows up? Wedding's done."
They both crack up.
Next day I took off work. Nicest dress on. Got to the hotel two hours early.
Figured I'd help. Mom and Dad are getting old, y'know?
Walk into the lobby—
No wedding. Some company party instead.
Wait. What the HELL?
I grabbed the manager.
He checks the records. Gives me this look. Like I'm pathetic.
"Miss, your brother got married yesterday. Here's the leftover poster. You want it?"
OH.
So I'M the psycho sister?
Cute.
Dear brother. Dear sister-in-law.
This psycho's coming for EVERYTHING she ever bought you.
Good luck keeping that perfect life without MY money.
---
I grab this poster. My brother Jax and his girl Sutton, grinning like idiots.
Says February 11th.
Wait, what?
I rubbed my eyes.
Mom said the 12th. I heard her on the phone.
"Indie honey, it's a big day. Don't be late."
For that? I killed a $300k deal.
Didn't sleep for three days. Crammed two weeks of work into three days.
Left the next city at four in the morning. Skipped going home. Drove straight here.
This events guy comes up. Looks sorry as hell.
Hands me a bill.
"Miss Reeves, your brother got married here last night."
"Charged your member card. $18,800."
Holding this thing and my hand won't stop shaking.
Bottom line: Paid by Indie Reeves.
Jax's handwriting.
Eighteen grand. That's what he makes in a year.
I grabbed my phone. Family group chat's blowing up.
Uncle Jim posted in the group: Congrats Jax!! Best wedding ever! ??
Uncle Ray commented: So proud of this kid! Our family's killing it!
I scrolled up. Found videos from yesterday.
Dad's wearing this brand new suit. Looks happier than I've ever seen him.
Holding Porsche keys. Hands them to Jax right in front of everybody.
"Jax, this is yours now. Take care of Sutton."
Can hear how proud Dad is even through my phone.
But those keys?
Mine.
Got that car last month. Barely drove it.
Video keeps going. Mom's crying.
Says they spent their life savings on this wedding.
"We're broke but we're not letting him down."
Nothing about me.
Not one word about that money? Mine. Gave it to them for retirement.
Sutton's got Jax's arm. "Where's your sister? She didn't come?"
Jax rolls his eyes. Waves at the camera.
"She's working. Probably thinks we're too basic. Whatever."
I stared at everyone smiling. Everything just stopped.
Called Mom.
Rang ten times. Finally picks up.
Cards shuffling in the back. Women laughing loud.
"Mom, you said the wedding was today. Where's everyone?"
Tried sounding normal. Didn't work.
Mom sounds pissed. Like I'm bothering her.
"Oh that was yesterday. I'm old, got confused. Not a big deal."
"Honestly? Good you didn't come. You're single—might've jinxed Sutton."
I laughed.
"Cool. So what about my car keys? And that $18k bill?"
Silence.
Then Mom's voice shoots up.
"Just give Jax the car. He's married now. He needs a decent car."
"And sign that bill. You make money. Help your brother out."
"We're at the new place with her parents. Handle that stuff. Don't come here starting shit."
Hung up.
The new place.
My house. That I paid cash for. Was gonna retire there.
Phone buzzes. Instagram.
My cousin Brit posted a selfie.
My fireplace behind her.
Caption: Jax's house is insane omg so jealous
I stared at it forever. Then just started laughing.
Put my phone away. "I'm not paying."
Manager looked shocked. "But Mr. Reeves said—"
"He eats it, he pays for it. And that car's in my name. Can you pull last night's parking footage?"
"Someone stole my car. Need to file a report."
Chapter 2
I got an Uber to the suburbs. To my house.
That I put everything into. Picked every single thing.
Car's not even stopped. I hear all the noise.
Got to the door. Took a breath. Punched in my code.
Beep. Wrong password.
I stopped. Maybe typed it wrong.
Tried again. Wrong.
No way. Put my finger on it.
Failed.
They locked me out.
Of my own house.
I hit the doorbell. Hard.
Ten minutes before the music stops.
Door cracks open. Jax standing there in silk pajamas I bought him. Looking pissed.
"Who the hell? It's early."
Sees me. Stops. Rolls his eyes.
"Indie? What're you doing here? Thought you were coming tomorrow for leftovers."
I pushed it open hard. He stumbled back.
Everyone stops.
Living room's trashed—streamers everywhere, wine on my rug.
Mom and Dad are feeding grapes to Sutton.
Sutton's in my clothes. Eyes me up and down. Covers her nose.
"Wait, YOU'RE the sister? God it smells cheap in here."
I stopped. Looked at Mom. Thought she'd say something.
Mom doesn't even look up. Peels another grape. Puts it in Sutton's mouth.
"Ignore her. Bad luck. You just got married, don't let her mess it up."
Dad slams his cup on the table.
"What're you doing? Sutton's resting. Show some respect."
I looked at them. Pointed at the lock.
"This is MY house. Who changed my fingerprint?"
"Your house?" Dad shoots up. Points in my face.
"Indie! Your uncle died saving me! You wouldn't exist without him!"
"We owe them everything! Your uncle only had Jax. What's ours is his!"
"What's yours is his! That's how it is!"
Heard this forever.
Since I was a kid.
I gave up everything because of this.
Scholarship? Went to Jax. First paycheck? Bought Jax a Rolex.
Now they want my house too.
I was gonna say something but saw the wall.
My awards and family photos—gone.
Huge wedding photo there now.
Dad, Mom, Jax, Sutton. Smiling.
Perfect family.
No space for me.
Jax caught me staring. Smirked.
"Indie, chill. You're doing this for family. Why make it weird?"
"Look—this is what family looks like. Nice, right?"
Leaned into Sutton when he said it.
"Family..."
I said it quiet. Last hope died right there.
Looked up at my parents.
"I worked till 4 AM so I wouldn't miss this wedding."
"Killed a deal worth hundreds of thousands."
"Bought this house. That car. Your retirement money. Everything Jax wanted..."
"Thought if I gave enough maybe you'd care. Even a little."
I laughed.
"What'd I get?"
"Locked out like some criminal. Didn't even tell me about the wedding."
"Just an ATM to you. Can't even get in my own house."
Mom made this annoyed noise.
Didn't even look up. Kept picking strawberries for Sutton.
"You done? Get out. You're embarrassing yourself."
"Your uncle died for us. Your money worth more than his life?"
"Wanna settle this? Want us to dig him up?"
Hit me like a truck.
Sutton's got her arms crossed. Leaning on Jax. Voice all sugary.
"Babe your sister's hilarious. Makes a little money and thinks she's hot shit."
"Now she's crawling back begging."
"Look at those clothes—clearance rack, right? Trying to act rich."
Jax puffed up. Staring at my wrist.
Got in my face. Jabbed his finger at my forehead.
"Indie, don't push me. My dad died because of yours. Your life belongs to us."
"Using your money? That's what you owe. Forever."
Kept jabbing till I backed into the wall.
"Here's the deal."
He pointed at my wrist.
"Take off that bracelet. Give it to Sutton."
"Then we're good. Still family."
Sutton's eyes got huge. Reached for my arm.
"Oh that's so cute! I mean yeah you wore it but whatever I want it."
Chapter 3
I jerked my hand back. Grabbed my wrist.
"Hell no! This is twenty grand. I'd trash it first!"
"And stop with the family shit. You're not my family."
I shoved past Jax. Bolted for the door.
Never should've trusted them. Calling the cops. Suing their asses.
"STOP! BITCH YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST LEAVE?!"
Jax and Sutton dropped the act. Just came after me.
Caught me in the hall.
Sutton starts screaming: "HELP! SOMEBODY HELP! SHE'S ROBBING US!"
Every door flies open.
Jax grabs my arm. Turns to the neighbors. Puts on this sad face.
"Please somebody help!"
"She's my cousin. She's got a gambling problem. Owes people money."
"My wife's pregnant! She broke in here and stole her bracelet! "
Everything went cold.
I tried yelling back. "That's bullshit! This is MY house! MY money!"
But they're ganging up on me. Can't get a word in.
Neighbors start talking. "She looks normal. A gambler?"
"That poor family. And the wife's so sweet."
"On their wedding day. Can you believe it?"
Mom comes out. Hand on her chest. Dad's holding her up.
"I'm so sorry everyone—we're terrible parents!"
"She's been like this since she was little. We tried everything..."
"She's killing us!"
Now everyone's against me.
Jax gets right in my face. Whispers.
"Indie, don't be stupid. Give us the bracelet."
I stood there frozen.
This is my brother I protected for twenty years.
Jax points at me. Yells loud enough for everyone.
"Apologize! Get on your knees! Tell my wife you're sorry! We're not done till you do!"
"Kneel! Kneel!"
Sutton's screaming too. Loving every second.
I stared at them. Shaking.
Then looked at Dad. Thought he'd say something. Anything.
He walked over. Face all disappointed.
"How long's this gonna go on? You really wanna embarrass us like this?"
SLAP.
He hit me.
I fell into the gate.
Ears ringing. Face on fire.
"This is nuts! Calling the cops!"
Some lady finally grabbed her phone.
I had hope for a second. Cops show up, they'll know what's real.
Police get there.
Lady pointed at me: "Officer that's her! She tried robbing them! Hit people!"
Dad jumps right in. "Officer she's not stable. We can't deal with her."
Officer came over.
"Ma'am, you broke in, stole stuff, hit people. Come with us."
I looked at the cuffs. At them smiling.
Got in the car.
Interrogation room. Cop walked in. Looked at me funny.
"Your family's outside."
My heart jumped. Maybe they feel bad?
Door opened. All four there.
Dad cleared his throat.
"Told them it's family stuff."
"We drop the charges. You're good."
My heart calmed down a bit.
Then Sutton started talking. Rubbing her belly. Fake as hell.
"Indie you scared me so bad. The baby too."
"I'm traumatized. Doctor said I could lose it. Can't just forget it."
Jax leaned back. Finally dropped the act.
"Here's the deal—you're family so just give us fifty grand. For the stress."
"And sign the house over. Put it in my name."
"Do that, we tell the cops you were drunk, screwing around. You walk."
Fifty grand.
My family. I'm sitting in jail and this is what they want from me.
I looked at them. Laughed.
"What if I say no?"
Dad's face went dark. "No? Stay in here then."
"Indie, we're doing you a favor. Breaking in, assault—that's what they got you for."
"That job you love so much? They gonna keep someone with a criminal record?"
He leaned in close. Whispered.
"Lose some cash and a house, or lose everything. Your choice."
I stared at him. My own dad. Using my job to force me.
Last bit of family I had left—died right there.
I stood up. Banged on the door.
"Officer, I got something to report."
"They're blackmailing me. Lying. And they hit me."
"I want a lawyer. I'm suing every single one of them."
