Chapter 4: The Truth Behind The Favorite Child

Valerie refused to explain.

That was when I knew there was something bigger.

People who are innocent explain.

People who are guilty control information.

The next day, I drove to Northbridge University.

I needed answers.

Dr. Harper met me in her office.

She looked tired.

“I hoped we wouldn’t have to discuss this.””

“Discuss what?””

She opened a file.

“Your wife did not only withdraw Zoria’s scholarship.””

My hands tightened.

“What else?””

“She attempted to transfer the scholarship benefits.””

“To Kendra?””

Dr. Harper nodded.

I closed my eyes.

For a moment, I couldn’t speak.

“How?””

“Through a series of requests claiming both girls had similar academic circumstances.””

I looked at her.

“They’re not even in the same field.””

“I know.””

The silence between us was heavy.

Then Dr. Harper pushed another document forward.

“There is something else.””

I looked down.

A recommendation form.

Signed by Valerie.

For Kendra.

Using achievements that belonged to Zoria.

I felt sick.

“She used our daughter’s work?””

Dr. Harper nodded.

“She submitted projects, awards, and volunteer hours under Kendra’s name.””

I stared at the papers.

Four years.

Four years of Zoria’s life.

Taken.

Rewritten.

Given away.

When I returned home, I found Kendra sitting alone.

She looked up.

“You know.””

It wasn’t a question.

I sat across from her.

“Did you know?””

Her eyes filled immediately.

“No.””

I believed her.

Because unlike Valerie, Kendra looked destroyed.

“She told me Zoria gave up her chance.””

I stayed quiet.

“She said Zoria was okay with it.””

Kendra wiped her face.

“She lied to both of us.””

I nodded.

“Yes.””

Kendra looked toward the stairs.

“I hated myself for being jealous of her.””

“Why?””

“Because she was always better.””

I leaned forward.

“Kendra.””

She shook her head.

“No. It’s true.””

She laughed sadly.

“Zoria studied harder. She worked harder. She earned everything.””

Then she whispered:

“And Mom made me believe I deserved what she had.””

That sentence stayed with me.

Later that night, I confronted Valerie.

She didn’t deny anything.

Not anymore.

“You ruined two daughters,” I said.

She sat silently.

“I wanted to fix things.””

“You destroyed them.””

“I was afraid.””

“Of what?””

She looked at me.

“Of losing Kendra.””

I shook my head.

“You lost her anyway.””

Her eyes filled.

But I couldn’t forgive her yet.

Then she said something unexpected.

“Michael.””

I looked at her.

“There’s one more thing you don’t know.””

My stomach tightened.

“What?””

She hesitated.

Then whispered:

“Zoria’s scholarship wasn’t the only thing I took from her.””

I froze.

“What are you talking about?””

Valerie looked toward the stairs.

“Ask her about the night she stopped singing.””

My heart sank.

Because I remembered.

Three years earlier.

My daughter had loved music.

Then suddenly, she quit.

No explanation.

No goodbye.

I had assumed she changed.

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