I felt a surge of courage. “It wasn’t borrowed,” I said, my voice steady now. “She just took it. And no one asked me if it was okay. I didn’t agree to give it away. I work hard, I saved for this car, and I wasn’t consulted at all.”
The family murmured among themselves. Some nodded at me, others looked shocked. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Grandma Eleanor held up the folder. “These messages show exactly what happened. You lied to Arya, you lied to the family, and you tried to rewrite history so everyone would think she ‘gave’ her car away. Arya, you did nothing wrong. You were robbed of your property, your respect, and your dignity.”
She turned her gaze back to my mother, unwavering. “Linda, do you understand that your manipulation ends here?”
Mom opened her mouth, stammering, but Grandma didn’t let her. “No more excuses. No more hiding behind your ‘flexibility’ lies. Arya, this car is yours, as it always should have been. And I expect you to drive it home tonight, without interference.”
Madison finally spoke, her voice quiet and guilty. “Arya… I’m sorry. I didn’t know…”
