I hadn’t paid the clinic’s outstanding balance as she’d requested.
Her monthly installments exceeded what she could comfortably manage during college.
I offered temporary assistance but made clear the debt remained hers.
“Do you understand what you asked me to do?” I said.
She nodded.
“I was ready to use my emergency savings because I believed your life was in danger. You used that fear to get money from me.”
Emily cried.
“I know.”
“Being bullied explains why you were hurting. It doesn’t excuse lying to me.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
Together, we established a budget.
She agreed to resume her part-time campus job after recovering and take responsibility for repayment.
Several days later, Emily asked me to accompany her to confront Ryan.
We met in the hotel’s quiet lounge.
I sat beside her, allowing her to lead.
She set her phone on the table.
“Why did you make fun of me?”
Ryan examined the screenshots.
