"Monica, dear, you could learn a thing or two from your cousin. She's hardworking, started from the bottom, and look how humble she is."
I nearly laughed from sheer disbelief.
The two of them hadn't said anything directly, and yet they'd said everything. A perfectly rehearsed duet, and just like that, the verdict was in: I was the loose woman of the family.
I looked at Philippa from head to toe—every stitch on her dripping with luxury—and gained an entirely new appreciation for the word humble.
I was about to say I wasn't afraid of embarrassment when my mother slammed her palm on the table.
"Philippa, if you have proof, then show it! If your cousin really did something shameful, I'll cut ties with her myself!"
I stared at her, stunned. "Mom, you actually believe this? You don't know your own daughter? How many times has Philippa spread lies about me since we were kids? When has a single one ever been true?"
A flicker of hesitation crossed my mother's eyes. But Philippa's lower lip trembled, her eyes reddened, and tears spilled down her cheeks in perfect, glistening streams.
"Auntie, forget it. Pretend I never said anything. I don't want to come between you and Monica..."
The relatives chimed in.
"She's right. It's the holidays—no need to ruin the mood. As long as she changes, that's what matters."
"Exactly. Don't worry, we're all family. Nobody's going to go spreading this around..."
I couldn't hold back a cold laugh. "What do you mean, 'as long as she changes'? What exactly have I done? Why are all of you dragging my name through the mud?"
Philippa sniffled and tugged at my sleeve. "Please don't be mad. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
I yanked my arm free, my expression hardening.
"Don't leave things half-said. You claim you have proof? Then put it out there for everyone to see. If I did it, I'll own it. But if you're lying, Philippa—this time, I won't let it slide."
Philippa turned to my parents with a helpless look. My father's face was already dark as iron, his bloodshot eyes boring into me.
"Monica! That's enough! Philippa is trying to save your dignity—don't be so ungrateful!"
"I don't need her to save my dignity. Show the proof. Right now. And if you can't, I'm calling the police."
Philippa blinked those wide, innocent eyes of hers, her voice laced with provocation.
"You sure? No regrets?"
"I'm sure. No regrets. Quit stalling and show it."
The corner of her mouth curved into a smile that already tasted like victory. She tapped her phone and sent a set of photos to the family group chat.
I wasn't the least bit worried.
I wasn't someone who liked crowds. Bars and clubs were basically off my radar. And besides, I was too busy working myself to the bone to have the time.
Without a second of hesitation, I opened the photos.
And froze.
In the dim, neon-washed glow of a private karaoke lounge, a girl sat among a circle of men, wearing next to nothing.
The girl was me.
The air went solid. Not a sound in the room.
Only the gradually deepening breaths around me, signaling the storm about to break.
Crack.
The sound cut through every corner of the room.
A slap landed across my face without warning.
I looked up in shock at my father's hand, still trembling.
Half my face felt like it had been split open—pain and numbness tangling together.
My father stared at me, eyes red, face carved with disappointment.
"You disgrace! This is the dignity you wanted? You've dragged the entire Mason name through the gutter!"
I ran my tongue along the corner of my lip. Tasted salt and iron.
"Pathetic..."
The word fell from my mouth in a broken whisper.
This wasn't the first time my father had hit me.
When Philippa spread the rumor that I'd cheated on an exam, he didn't think twice before backhanding me.
When Philippa told him I'd been dating in high school, he didn't ask a single question before raising his hand.
When Philippa claimed I'd seduced a professor to secure my graduate admission, he slapped me across both cheeks without a word.
Every single time, he stood on someone else's side and attacked my innocence.
This time was no different. He chose to believe Philippa again.
