The day my sister set me up began with my mother sliding a wire transfer form across the breakfast table and telling me I had one last chance to “do the right thing.” My name, Claire Bennett, was already filled in on the sender line. Madison’s name appeared on the receiver line. The amount was $400,000.
“That money is just sitting there,” my father said. “Madison needs it now.”
My sister sat across from me, perfectly composed, as if I were the selfish one for refusing to fund her idea. She wanted six months in Europe to launch a luxury travel brand. I called it what it really was: a lavish vacation disguised as a business plan.
“No,” I said. “I worked for that money. I’m not giving it away.”