That was why Theresa bragged endlessly about how well her family lived.

That was why Aaron boasted about expensive restaurants.

That was why Daniel let everyone believe he contributed far more to our household than his modest salary could possibly allow, and why he stole from me to make the fiction convincing.

My hard work had been funding a charade, an elaborate performance of prosperity that the whole family used, collectively, to make me feel inferior at my own expense.

They were spending my money to look down on me for having it.