Chapter 2

Bridget's POV

I suppressed the emotions churning inside me, walked up to Leonard, and looked him straight in the eye. "You're the ones going on vacation. Why are you swiping my card?"

Leonard's expression froze slightly. Before he could respond, Edmond's expression hardened, and he stated matter-of-factly, "We're going on a family vacation, so of course we're putting it on your card.

"Miranda and I are old; we don't have much spare cash to begin with. Leonard needs to save his money for serious family business and keeping up with relations. How could we just blow through that?"

My gaze landed on Rita. "What about Rita? Does she not have a single penny saved?"

The moment those words rolled off my tongue, Rita blew a fuse.

She immediately raised her voice, looking offended yet entitled. "What the hell is that supposed to mean, Bridget? My daily expenses are high enough as it is! Where on earth am I supposed to get that kind of spare cash?"

Miranda instantly chimed in, playing the peacemaker with a soothing voice. "That's right. She's still young. How could she possibly afford such a massive travel expense? We still have to rely on you, Bridget."

My expression was stoic as I swept my gaze across the family standing before me. "None of you have money, so you're just entitled to spend mine? You leave me home alone to hold down the fort while the whole lot of you jet off to an island to enjoy yourselves and squander my hard-earned money? Who do you think you are?"

As soon as my words fell, Leonard frowned and chided, "That's enough, Bridget! I won't allow you to speak to your elders like that."

Edmond's face hardened into a severe scowl as he chastised me, "It's merely a small portion of your savings. Do you really have to be so petty? We're family.

"Why are you splitting hairs over what's yours and what's ours? Are you really so stingy that you can't even bear to spend money on your own family?"

I clenched my fists tightly and gritted out, "I won't stop you from going on this trip, but I'm not paying for these insanely expensive plane tickets. For years, I've shouldered the vast majority of our family's daily expenses. I'll have to work for a long time and treat countless patients to earn that money back. I won't let it be squandered so carelessly!"

My words left Edmond completely enraged. His face instantly fell as he flew off the handle. "How can you be so miserly toward your own family? Have we ever mistreated you?"

Rita added fuel to the fire from the side. "That's right, Bridget. It's just the expenses for a single trip. Why do you have to be so incredibly stingy?"

Every single one of her words accused me of being narrow-minded.

Edmond's demeanor was aggressive and overbearing, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "You will cover the expenses for this trip! What's more, these savings were originally meant for a family vacation anyway, so it only makes sense to use them now."

Miranda comforted me softly from the side. "Calm down. We're family. Let's not let money drive a wedge between us."

Leonard looked at me and half-heartedly placated me. "Stop throwing a tantrum."

I silently watched them play off each other, and the last bit of warmth in my heart died out completely. It hit me that in their eyes, I had never been Edward's mate, nor had I ever been family. I was merely a tool, a cash cow for them to freely bleed dry.

My eyes misted over, and my nose stung.

Edmond reined in his anger and softened his tone. "Look, I know you're feeling bitter about being left behind. Don't worry, we'll definitely take you along next time and make it up to you."

Rita was uncharacteristically amiable. "Exactly, Bridget. What are you so mad about? If I could make money like you, I'd gladly stay behind and watch the house, too!"

Miranda seized the opportunity to chime in, her words dripping with favoritism. "At the end of the day, Leonard's lucky to have a mate who is so resilient and great at bringing home the bacon. Rita, you should learn a thing or two from your sister-in-law, rather than wasting money left and right without a single clue on how to run a household."

Rita immediately pretended to accept the lesson humbly, though every single one of her words was laced with venom.

"How could I ever compare myself to Bridget? She only knows how to slave away for money. I certainly wasn't born to be a slave for money. I just need to stay by my family's side and live comfortably."

The Crosses chimed in one after another, laughing and joking in sync. I was the only one left out.

As I took in the harmonious scene before me, my heart remained deathly still. All these years, I had lived frugally and poured my heart into this family, yet I had never truly become one of them.

After a long while, I tugged at the corner of my lips and said flatly, "Go ahead and use my card. I never said you couldn't."

This was the last time I would ever foot the bill for them.