Chapter 2: The Money That Disappeared
Caroline recovered quickly.
She straightened her blouse, pushed her chair back, and gave my father the wounded expression she usually used whenever she wanted him to feel guilty.
“Richard, I cannot believe you're questioning me in front of the children.””
My father didn't sit down.
“Answer my question.””
“I manage this household. You know that. The money goes toward groceries, utilities, school expenses, and everything else.””
“Then why does Emma have a mattress without a proper bed frame?””
Caroline crossed her arms.
“Because she broke the old one.””
I looked up.
I hadn't broken anything.
My father noticed my expression.
“Emma, did you break your bed?””
I shook my head.
Caroline immediately interrupted.
“She doesn't remember. Children aren't exactly careful with furniture.””
My father turned toward her.
“I'm asking Emma.””
Caroline pressed her lips together.
“No, Daddy,” I whispered.
“I didn't break it.””
“Then what happened?””
“Caroline said Lucas needed more space for his gaming equipment, so she moved my bed into storage.””
Lucas looked up from his phone.
“What's wrong with that? I needed somewhere to put my desk.””
My father turned toward him.
“Your stepsister lost her bed so you could have a gaming desk?””
Lucas shrugged.
“It's not like she uses the room properly.””
“Lucas,” Caroline snapped, “stop talking.””
But my father had already noticed something else.
He looked toward the living room.
There was a large television mounted on the wall. Beside it stood a brand-new gaming console, several expensive speakers, and a glass cabinet filled with designer handbags.
“Caroline, how much did Lucas's gaming setup cost?””
She frowned.
“That has nothing to do with Emma.””
“How much?””
“About four thousand dollars.””
My father nodded slowly.
“And Olivia's wardrobe?””
Caroline looked irritated.
“I don't keep receipts for every little thing.””
“Did you buy her that dress last week?””
“Yes.””
“How much?””
“Richard, this is ridiculous.””
“Answer me.””
“Eight hundred and fifty dollars.””
My father glanced at my sweater.
“Yet you told Emma there wasn't enough money for a basic school dress?””
Caroline's cheeks flushed.
“Olivia has social commitments. She needs to look presentable.””
“And Emma?””
“She has school uniforms.””
“Her school photographs require something appropriate.””
“It's one photograph!””
My father leaned forward.
“It's not about the photograph.””
Caroline threw her hands into the air.
“You're making me sound like some kind of monster because I don't buy every child everything they ask for!””
“I didn't ask you to buy her everything.””
He pointed toward the notebook.
“She asked for one dress.””
Caroline looked at me.
“Emma, go upstairs.””
I immediately moved closer to my father.
He placed a protective hand on my shoulder.
“She stays here.””
Caroline's voice became sharp.
“Richard, you're undermining my authority.””
“No. I'm asking you to explain why my daughter is living like this.””
She took a deep breath.
Then she delivered the sentence that changed the entire atmosphere.
“Because I cannot keep spending money on a child who isn't mine while my own children have needs!””
Nobody spoke.
Even Lucas looked uncomfortable.
My father stared at her.
“Your own children?””
Caroline looked away.
“You know what I mean.””
“No, Caroline. I want you to explain exactly what you mean.””
She picked up her glass.
“I mean that Olivia and Lucas are growing up. They need opportunities. They need things that will help them fit in.
Emma has always been a quiet child. She doesn't need expensive clothes.””
My father slowly shook his head.
“She's nine years old.””
“And?””
“And she deserves the same care as the other children in this house.””
Caroline laughed bitterly.
“You're making promises you don't understand. You work all day. You travel constantly. Who do you think handles the difficult parts of raising them?””
My father didn't answer immediately.
That was the first time I noticed something different in his face.
He looked tired.
Not physically tired.
He looked like a man who had just discovered that his trust had been used against him.
He took out his phone again.
“Daniel, it's Richard. I need you to come to the house tomorrow morning.””
Caroline's eyes widened.
“Who's Daniel?””
“My accountant.””
“Why?””
“Because we're going to examine every dollar I sent you for Emma.””
Caroline stepped closer.
“You wouldn't dare.””
“I already did.””
She looked at me.
Then she looked back at my father.
“Richard, think carefully. If you make this into a public scandal, your daughter will be the one who suffers.””
My father lowered his phone.
“Are you threatening her?””
“I'm telling you that children need stability. She has a tendency to misunderstand situations.””
I didn't know why, but those words made me feel smaller.
Caroline always said I misunderstood things.
If she shouted, I misunderstood.
If she took something away, I misunderstood.
If I cried, I was being dramatic.
My father noticed me pulling at the sleeve of his shirt.
“Emma, sweetheart, would you like to eat something?””
I nodded.
He looked toward the kitchen.
“Please prepare a plate for her.””
Caroline didn't move.
So my father went into the kitchen himself.
He found a clean plate, placed chicken and mashed potatoes on it, and brought it to me.
“Here you go.””
I stared at the food.
“Can I save some for tomorrow?””
He stopped.
“Why?””
“Because I don't know if there'll be any left.””
My father looked at the plate.
Then he looked at Caroline.
He didn't say anything.
He simply pulled out a chair and sat beside me while I ate.
For the first time in months, nobody told me I was eating too much.
Nobody watched my plate.
Nobody made me feel guilty for taking another piece of bread.
When I finished, my father carried me upstairs.
He tucked me beneath a clean blanket and promised he would stay in the house that night.
Before he left the room, he noticed the small photograph of my mother.
He picked it up carefully.
“Your mother gave you this?””
I nodded.
“She said I should keep it somewhere safe.””
He looked at the photograph for a long time.
Then he kissed my forehead.
“I'm sorry I didn't notice sooner.””
I touched his hand.
“It's okay, Daddy.””
He shook his head.
“No, sweetheart. It isn't.””
After he turned off the light, I heard his footsteps stop outside my bedroom.
Then his voice.
“Daniel, I need you to look at something.””
I couldn't sleep.
The house was quiet, but I could hear my father talking in the hallway.
“Two years of transfers. Every month, without fail.””
A pause.
“No, that's impossible. I sent additional money for her school uniform.””
Another pause.
“Then why does the school say her account is overdue?””
My heart began beating faster.
I had no idea what an overdue account was.
But I knew it sounded bad.
The next morning, I woke to the smell of fresh pancakes.
I found my father sitting at the kitchen island with a laptop.
Beside him sat a man in a dark blue suit carrying a leather briefcase.
“Good morning, Emma,” the man said kindly.
My father smiled.
“Sweetheart, this is Daniel. He's someone I trust.””
I sat down.
Daniel opened a folder.
“Richard, I've reviewed the transfers you requested.””
My father leaned forward.
“And?””
Daniel removed several printed statements.
“The money designated for Emma's expenses was transferred every month into Caroline's personal account.””
“That's what I expected.””
“But there's something else.””
Daniel placed another document on the table.
“According to the records, the school received only part of the amount you sent. Several payments were made late, and two invoices remain outstanding.””
My father frowned.
“How much?””
Daniel told him.
My father looked genuinely shocked.
Then Daniel opened a second folder.
“There's also the clothing allowance.””
“What about it?””
“Your instructions specified that this money was exclusively for Emma. However, I found several transactions that appear to correspond with purchases from luxury children's clothing stores.””
My father glanced at the printed receipts.
There was Olivia's name.
There was Lucas's name.
And there were purchases made on the same dates I had asked Caroline for new shoes.
My father slowly pushed the papers away.
“Is this everything?””
“No.””
Daniel hesitated.
“There's one more thing. I contacted the school as you requested. They told me something unusual.””
“What?””
“Emma's teacher submitted a written concern about her clothing and general appearance several months ago.””
My father went pale.
“What concern?””
Daniel opened an email.
“The school asked whether there were financial difficulties at home because Emma had repeatedly arrived wearing clothing that was too small or unsuitable for the weather.””
My father looked at me.
I lowered my eyes.
“Why didn't you tell me, sweetheart?””
I whispered, “I thought you'd be disappointed.””
He closed the laptop.
Then he took a deep breath.
“Daniel, I want a complete review of the household finances. Also, please contact the school directly. From today onward, all of Emma's school expenses will be handled through a separate account.””
Daniel nodded.
“And Caroline?””
My father looked toward the staircase.
“She doesn't get another opportunity to explain away what happened.””
At that moment, Caroline walked into the kitchen.
She was wearing a silk dressing gown and holding a cup of coffee.
Her eyes landed on the papers.
Then on Daniel.
Then on my father.
“What is this meeting?””
My father didn't look up.
“An accounting review.””
Caroline put her cup down.
“You brought your accountant into our home?””
“Yes.””
“Without telling me?””
“I didn't think I needed permission.””
She noticed the school documents.
“What are those?””
My father pushed one across the counter.
“Explain why Emma's school fees were overdue.””
Caroline's face went white.
Then she looked directly at me.
And I knew that look.
It was the same expression she wore whenever she wanted me to understand that I had caused trouble.
“Emma,” she said softly, “go upstairs.””
My father stood.
“Don't speak to her like that.””
Caroline turned toward him.
“You cannot seriously believe these ridiculous accusations.””
My father pointed at the receipts.
“Then explain why money sent for Emma was spent on designer clothes for Olivia.””
Caroline opened her mouth.
But before she could answer, Daniel quietly placed another document on the counter.
“Richard, there's a problem bigger than the missing clothing allowance.””
My father turned.
“What now?””
Daniel looked at Caroline.
May you like
Then he said:
“I found a bank account opened in Emma's name, and someone has been withdrawing money from it.””
