“People who don’t pay property taxes or contribute to the mortgage don’t get to set household rules,” she said, setting the jar down with a sharp clink against the stone counter.

“I handed twelve hundred dollars in cash to Mark yesterday morning,” I said, holding my hands steady against my cardigan pockets.

“And eighty-five thousand dollars from the sale of my house went straight into his account seven months ago.”

Sloan turned her head half an inch, her eyes narrow under her dark penciled brows.

“That money was for living space, not authority,” she said, tapping her red manicured nails against her empty wine glass.

“I’m asking you politely, as a mother living under this roof,” I said, stepping right up to the edge of the island.