“You’re joking.”
I smiled.
“Nope.”
The murmurss in the room grew louder. Some guests outright gasping. A few even chuckled.
My aunt and uncle looked like they wanted to step in, but they knew they had no power here.
Emily’s eyes darted around, her panic setting in.
“Jake,” she hissed, lowering her voice. “I already apologized. You got your little moment. Just let me stay.”
I tilted my head.
“Oh, you think that was enough? You think a force little sentence is going to erase years of you treating me like dirt?”
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice.
“Let me make something very clear, Emily. You don’t get to talk your way out of this. You wanted me gone from this party. Well, guess what? Now it’s your turn.”
She took a shaky step back, her confidence fully shattered.
“Please,” she whispered. “Don’t do this. This party…”
“This party is over for you.”
I motioned to the security guard.
“Escort her out now.”
The guard stepped forward, towering over her.
“Ma’am, I need you to come with me.”
Emily looked around, desperate for someone, anyone, to step in.
“Mom, Dad.”
My aunt opened her mouth, but my uncle put a hand on her arm. He wasn’t stupid. He knew pushing me further would only make things worse.
Emily turned back to me, her voice breaking.
“Jake, please.”
“Save it.”
I cut her off.
“I’ve spent my whole life listening to you talk down to me. I’m done listening.”
The security guard took her arm. Not roughly, but firmly.
“Let’s go.”
Emily let out a choked sound, half outrage, half despair.
“You can’t do this. This is my birthday.”