I chewed on the inner part of my mouth. “This does not concern the appearance. This concerns the sentimental value.”
She walked nearer and gestured toward the cover. “You are not allowed to wear that trash! You will embarrass this household. You belong to my group currently, and I refuse to let others believe we lack the funds to clothe our child correctly.”
“I am in no way your child,” I fired back before I had the chance to hold my tongue.
Her face tightened in anger. “Perhaps if you behaved like my kid, we would avoid these issues entirely. You will put on the expensive gown I selected for you, the item that was priced at several thousand dollars!”
However, I refused to back down. “This remains a meaningful outfit to me… I am going to wear it.”
“Eliana passed away, Riley. She has been dead for many years. I serve as your mom these days, and in that role, I refuse to allow you to turn us into a joke.”
My fingers shook. I squeezed the smooth fabric against my body like I was hugging Eliana. “This item represents the only thing I still possess from her,” I muttered, my airway feeling restricted.
She tossed her arms upwards in an overly theatrical manner.
