My parents forced me to cook and clean all weekend for my sister’s party with 50 guests.

My parents forced me to cook and clean all weekend for my sister’s party with 50 guests.

“You never show up for this family,” she had said on Thursday. “Madison only turns twenty-five once.”

So I showed up.

And after being humiliated in front of them, I made one simple call.

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“Victor,” I had said from my car, “I’m sorry about tonight. I need to be honest. I canceled our dinner because my family demanded help with an event. They’ve now left me responsible for cooking and cleaning for fifty people, and I’m walking away before I lose my temper.”

Victor was quiet for a moment.

Then he said, “Emily, aren’t your parents Harold and Patricia Carter?”

“Yes.”

“And your father owns Carter & Sons Renovation?”

My stomach tightened. “Yes.”

Another pause.

“Interesting,” he said. “I’m currently five minutes from their address. Your father invited me to Madison’s party to discuss the MedSupply buildout.”