I gave her a knowing look, my smile not quite reaching my eyes.
"My car? I paid for that beauty myself. However, Jasmine's shiny new ride? Now, that's a mystery."
They had rolled up in style, making sure to park the sleek Audi just out of sight.

However, I caught a glimpse of it. The car had to be worth at least 75,000 dollars, right?
Zara froze like she had just remembered something important, and quickly tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"And this? Over 700 bucks on clothes? My son wouldn't be caught dead in a dress, would he?"
Her words hung in the air as she stopped short, a realization dawning on her.
I nodded slowly, playing along with her sudden insight.
"Absolutely! The 750-dollar dress your darling daughter is flaunting? I'd say that's modestly upscale."

Zara's lips were a tight line, her eyes darting guiltily the more she read.
The statement laid it out plain as day: a 150-dollar spree at a maternity and baby store.
Josh and I were not expecting. So, why the baby shopping spree?
The only explanation: Josh had a kid with someone else on the sly.

The crowd around us could not believe their ears.
"What's this? Her hubby's been splashing cash on his sister?"
"And that's not all. There's a line for baby formula, too!"
"Whoa, look at this: a charge from a postnatal care center, plus a 1,200-dollar Disney package deal!"
Zara snapped the ledger shut, her face a mix of emotions as she looked at me, at a loss for words.
She had always thought I was the lucky one, marrying into their family, coming from a simple country home with a little brother to look after.
She figured I was the one always asking for handouts.
It turned out that Josh had not spent a dime on me.
However, with all eyes on us, the truth was too much for Zara to handle.
Biting back her disbelief, she clenched her jaw.
"What are you talking about? Are you telling me you've been footing the bill for all our household expenses?
"And Josh's monthly allowance? That came from you, too? Nobody here is an idiot. Who would go through all that trouble for nothing in return?"
Josh had been recklessly blowing through my trust, lavishing money on his so-called sister, who was nothing but his side chick.
The baby formula for his love child had cost a fortune, and yet he had the nerve to come home and play the pauper, acting like he was Mr. Goody Two-Shoes.
Then, with all the proof laid out in front of them, Josh was too scared to make a peep, and Zara was still trying to make excuses!
I had always been generous to her, sending her health supplements like it was nothing.
However, she just turned on me after taking advantage of my generosity.
No more playing nice.
"If I didn't give him that, then was it you? You were the one looking after Jasmine during her pregnancy, weren't you?
"You backstabber! You go around telling people she's Josh's god sister. Do you have the guts to let her kid and Josh take a DNA test?"