After saving for years, I finally bought my own luxury apartment—only for my mom to demand that I sell it to fund my half-sister’s college.

My mother, Patricia Carter, looked at me as if I had just admitted to something terrible.

“You bought an apartment?” she asked slowly.

“Yes,” I said, forcing a small smile. “I closed the deal today.”

Her expression darkened.

“Why would you buy an apartment without asking our permission first?”

The words hit me like a slap.