“No, Dad.”
He stared.
“What?”
“I’ve spent years solving problems that neither of you wanted to take responsibility for.”
His expression hardened.
“We’re family.”
“Yes,” I replied. “And family should care about each other’s safety, not just each other’s money.”
He looked toward Evan.
Then back at me.
“Your brother could lose everything.”
I felt a familiar ache in my chest.
Even now, his first concern was Evan.
I took a slow breath.
“Dad, I’m not responsible for protecting him from the consequences of his decisions.”
Then I handed my father a sealed envelope.
Inside was a formal notice explaining that I would no longer voluntarily cover his mortgage payments, personal debts, insurance expenses, or other financial obligations held in his name.
He looked at the papers.
His face changed.
“Claire, you can’t do this.”
“I can stop paying expenses that aren’t mine.”
