Work Text:
Rose Long seethed with anger on behalf of her mother, Iris. With her husband Jake taking their children camping for the weekend, and no cell service available, Rose didn't want to trouble him with her fury. Her parents, Robert and Iris, had divorced when she was in middle school, and as part of the settlement, Robert was supposed to give Iris half of his pension.
The issue had sparked ongoing disputes, with Robert making excuses and being difficult. Recently, Rose's relationship with her mother had improved slightly after months of therapy, though the past abuse was not forgotten. They could now communicate respectfully.
Last night, Rose felt an urgent need to call her father, with whom she had minimal contact. During the call, Robert revealed he planned to drop the case to avoid paying Iris what was agreed upon in the divorce settlement. Furious, Rose immediately informed her mother and sought advice from her Aunt Violet, who doubted Robert's ability to bypass the settlement.
Despite their skepticism, it appeared Robert had managed to evade his obligation and was likely to keep the pension for himself. Iris couldn't afford legal representation to challenge this, leaving the family enraged. Rose felt a deep injustice and wished she could retaliate against her father. She resolved not to attend his funeral when he passed and hoped her late grandmother, Dahlia, would haunt Robert for his actions. Dahlia had always stood up for family and respect, and Rose longed for her spirit to seek retribution.