Page 46 of Freeing Lark

“At least I’m good at something,” she fired back.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m good at lots of things.”

Lark laughed without humor. “Being Mom’s favorite doesn’t count.”

“At least I don’t make everything harder than it needs to be.”

“Because you do whatever they tell you. Like a puppet.”

Alex’s expression hardened. “At least I have direction.”

“And apparently no personality.”

“Lark.” Hildi’s warning stopped them both.

“Why only single me out? He’s contributing to the argument, too.”

With a sneer, Alex mocked, “Real mature, Lark.”

Her patience for the morning and this family had completely run out. “Shut up.”

“That’s enough,” Hildi scolded. Then, as was her habit when her children’s arguments reached a fever pitch, she turned to her husband. “Richard, say something.”

His voice, devoid of emotion, stated from behind the paper, “Children, listen to your mother.”

Lark pushed her chair back slightly and closed her eyes, searching for some semblance of sanity before she muttered, “Sorry.”

She wasn’t. She was exhausted. She’d spent the previous night pretending everything was fine while watching her sister look like someone had turned off a light inside her. She’d endured Grant Calloway’s uncomfortable attention. And she’d barely slept.

Moreover, the fact that Alex hadn’t offered the same apology did not go unnoticed by her. This family had such a double standard, and she was sick of it.

Now she was being lectured because she hadn’t smiled properly. Or whored herself out to a man she’d only just met, apparently. Enough.

Hildi picked up her coffee. “You need to start thinking seriously about your future, Lark.”

“I am.”

“Then you’ll understand why Grant is such an excellent opportunity.” Here we go again.

Lark stared at her mother. “An opportunity?”

“Yes.”

“He’s a person, Mother. Not a stock investment.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I am not marrying someone because you think he’ll look good beside me at charity dinners.”

“You need someone of status.”

“No. You need someone of status.”

Hildi ignored that shot. “You need someone established.”

“So, is having more money than God the sole criterion for being considered established?”

Her inability to formulate an appropriate reply to that was evident, prompting her to steer the discussion in a different direction. “You’re living a fantasy.”