Chapter 1: The Name on the Statement
Brandon was holding my father’s bank statement when he asked me, “How long have you been stealing from us?””
For a second, I couldn’t understand the question.
I stared at the envelope in his hand.
Then at his face.
Then back at the envelope.
“I’m not stealing anything,” I whispered.
Brandon leaned against the kitchen counter, turning the paper between his fingers.
“Really?””
“Yes.””
His smile widened.
“Then why were you looking through Mom’s papers?””
“They’re Dad’s papers.””
He laughed.
“You really think that matters?””
My stomach tightened.
Brandon was fifteen. Three years older than me, but sometimes it felt like he was much older because he knew exactly how to make people afraid.
He stepped closer.
“Did you see the transactions?””
I said nothing.
That was enough.
His smile disappeared.
“You shouldn’t have.””
I swallowed.
“What does that mean?””
“It means you should put everything back where you found it.””
“I only wanted to know where Dad’s money was going.””
Brandon’s eyes narrowed.
“You don’t get to ask questions about Mom’s money.””
“It isn’t her money.””
He slapped the statement against the counter.
“My mom takes care of this house.””
“She doesn’t take care of me.””
The words came out before I could stop them.
Silence.
For the first time, Brandon looked genuinely angry.
Then he leaned toward me.
“You have no idea how lucky you are.””
I almost laughed.
Lucky.
I thought about the bathroom floor.
The dog food.
The locked door.
The empty refrigerator.
The shoes with holes in the soles.
I thought about my mother’s photograph hidden inside my pillowcase because Victoria had decided her memory made the house look unpleasant.
“Lucky?”” I repeated.
Brandon grabbed my wrist.
“Keep your voice down.””
“Let go.””
“Brandon!””
Victoria’s voice came from the hallway.
He released me immediately.
I turned.
She was standing by the doorway, holding several shopping bags.
A silk blouse peeked from one.
A jewelry box rested inside another.
She looked at the statement on the counter.
Then at me.
Her face changed.
Not dramatically.
Just enough.
The smile vanished.
“Where did you find that?””
I didn’t answer.
Victoria set the bags down slowly.
“Emma.””
I hated when she used my name like that.
“What were you doing in the kitchen?””
“I was hungry.””
“You were searching through my things.””
“Dad’s things.””
Her eyes hardened.
“Brandon, go upstairs.””
“But Mom—”
“Now.””
He picked up the statement and handed it to her.
As he passed me, he whispered, “You’re going to regret this.””
Then he disappeared upstairs.
Victoria waited until his footsteps faded.
She walked toward me.
“What did you see?””
“Nothing.””
“Don’t lie to me.””
“I didn’t steal anything.””
She stopped inches away.
“I didn't ask whether you stole anything.””
Her perfume filled my nose.
“I asked what you saw.””
I looked at the shopping bags.
Then at her.
“Dad sends you money every month.””
“Yes.””
“For groceries.””
“Yes.””
“For bills.””
“Yes.””
“And school.””
“Yes.””
“Then why are there thousands of dollars going to designer stores and hotels?””
Her expression froze.
Only for a heartbeat.
Then she smiled.
“You’ve been going through financial records you don’t understand.””
“I understand that the refrigerator is empty.””
“You are twelve.””
“I understand that the electricity gets shut off.””
“You are being disrespectful.””
“I understand that Dad thinks everything is fine because you lie to him.””
Her hand moved so quickly I barely saw it.
The slap turned my face.
My cheek burned.
I stared at the floor.
Victoria breathed heavily.
Then she straightened her blouse.
“You will never speak to me that way again.””
I touched my cheek.
“You hit me.””
“You pushed me.””
“I didn’t.””
“You did.””
She picked up the bank statement.
“Your father trusts me.””
I looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because I’m his wife.””
“And I’m his daughter.””
Her smile returned.
“That doesn’t give you control over this house.””
She walked toward the kitchen.
I followed.
“Where is Dad’s money going?””
She stopped.
“Upstairs.””
“What?””
“You’re going upstairs.””
“I want to call Dad.””
“You can call him tonight.””
“Now.””
Victoria turned around.
“No.””
My chest tightened.
“Why?””
“Because your father is working.””
“He can answer.””
“He doesn’t need your drama while he’s trying to provide for us.””
“Then tell him what you bought.””
Her face went cold.
“What did you say?””
“The hotels.””
Silence.
Then she stepped closer.
“You will forget what you saw.””
I shook my head.
“I won’t.””
“You will.””
“No.””
Her eyes flicked toward the staircase.
Then back to me.
“You really want to know where your father’s money is going?””
I said nothing.
Victoria picked up one of the shopping bags.
Inside was a black velvet box.
She opened it.
A diamond bracelet caught the light.
“This,” she said quietly, “is what happens when your father finally appreciates the woman keeping his family together.””
I stared at it.
“You bought that with his money?””
She closed the box.
“Go upstairs.””
I didn’t move.
She smiled.
“Or would you prefer the bathroom?””
My feet carried me toward the stairs.
Behind me, I heard her say one last thing.
“Because if you tell Daniel anything you saw today, you won’t be the only person who suffers.””
I stopped halfway up.
“Who else?””
Victoria didn’t answer.
But from the living room came the sound of Brandon laughing.
And suddenly, I understood.
May you like
Whatever secret they were protecting…
Brandon was part of it.
