You're lying. I always know when you're lying.

Carina sat at the table and faced her parents. Her hands trembled with joy and relief as she pushed the check across the warped kitchen counter, covered in happiness by a plastic sheet of yellow sunlight. "Eric and I want you to take this to pay off our debts," she announced. "There won't be any arguments or protests. We've been talking about this for a long time, and we're lucky to have that much money. We want to share. It makes sense. is very big to us, so please accept this as a gift from us."

The identical stunned expressions on their faces brought stinging tears to her eyes. How many nights had she stayed awake, feeling guilty for not being able to help her parents out of their difficult financial situation? Like her siblings, she hates helplessness suffocating her. She had decided to make a deal with Eric and her overwhelming emotions right now were worth it. This is a payment for safety and security, for her family to alleviate a deep pain she has struggled with since her fath