“Tell me how.”

I spelled it out. Transparency. Shared accounts. Mimi contributing.

“Mimi,” he typed. “You’re paying $400 a month. Starting now.”

The family chat exploded.

“We are reopening the joint account. Full access. Full transparency.”

“She’ll lose it.”

“She can lose it. Just not on us.”

“And if you ever trap me like that again,” I said quietly. “I will leave. And this time, I won’t come back.”

“I believe you, Flo.”

“And you should. Because I finally believe me, too.”

**

We reopened the account.

I set the budget.

I bought the dinosaur yogurt again—two packs.

Nicole’s new coat arrived. Michael hung it by the door.

And for once, he waited on me.