Ava’s POV
I stand there, my body rigid, my breath shaky. My stepmom’s eyes narrow as she folds her arms across her chest. “Since when did you start talking back to me?” she asks, her tone sharp with irritation.
I lift my chin, meeting her glare. “Just now,” I say, my voice firm despite the storm raging inside me. “And you should answer my question. Did you take money from Vanessa?”
Her expression darkens instantly, as if she can’t believe I would dare to challenge her. I see the flicker of shock in her eyes, the way her lips pressed together in irritation. But I don’t care anymore. I’m tired of everything that’s happening.
“Ava,” Sarah chimed in. “Don’t you dare disrespect my Mom like that,” she snaps. “I won’t stand here and let you talk to her that way after you embarrassed me at th
