Chapter 14 - The Confrontation
The metallic snap of the hardened steel padlock echoed through the quiet second floor.
Brittany’s heart pounded as the lock fell to the carpet. She opened the closet door, reached into the back behind hanging winter coats, and pulled out the yellowed cardboard box tied with butcher twine.
She carried it quickly to her master bedroom desk, her fingers trembling with greed as she unknotted the string.
"What are you doing, Mom?"
Brittany jumped, letting out a sharp scream.
Emily stood in the doorway, her gym bag slung over her shoulder, her face pale with utter disbelief.
"Emily! I... I was just..." Brittany stammered, frantically trying to fold the cardboard flaps back over the yellowed newspaper.
"You broke my lock," Emily said, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You took bolt cutters to my closet."
"It’s fifty-five thousand dollars, Emily!" Brittany blurted out, her composure completely breaking. "Do you have any idea what that money could do for this family?! Your grandmother gave them to you, but you're sixteen! You don't understand the value of things!"
"I understand the value of things perfectly," Emily said, tears of anger spilling down her cheeks. "You only care about what things cost. Grandma cares about what they mean."
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Before Brittany could reply, Kevin stepped into the room, having just returned from work. He took in the shattered padlock on the floor, the bolt cutters on the bed, and Brittany standing over the open box.
"Pack your bags, Brittany," Kevin said, his voice terrifyingly calm. "I want you out of this house by tomorrow morning."
