Chapter 6: The Secret Behind My Father’s Silence
That night, I couldn’t sleep.
Karen’s words repeated in my head.
You have no idea what your father has been hiding.
I hated that part of me believed her.
Not because I trusted Karen.
I didn’t.
But because my dad had been quiet for years.
Too quiet.
The next morning, I found him sitting alone on the back porch.
He looked like he hadn’t slept either.
“Dad?””
He turned.
“Hey.””
I sat beside him.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Finally, I asked:
“What did she mean?””
My dad looked away.
I knew immediately.
There was something.
“Dad.””
He sighed.
“I was hoping you would never have to know.””
My stomach tightened.
“Know what?””
He looked at his hands.
“When your mother left, I made mistakes.””
I frowned.
“What does that have to do with Karen?””
“Everything.””
The wind moved through the trees.
My dad continued.
“After your mom left, I was struggling.””
I nodded slowly.
I remembered those years.
The empty house.
The quiet dinners.
My dad working late.
“I wasn’t paying attention.””
His voice became softer.
“I let other people make decisions because I was tired.””
I looked at him.
“Like Karen?””
He nodded.
“Yes.””
My chest hurt.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I thought I was protecting you.””
I looked away.
Everyone kept saying that.
Protecting.
Helping.
Doing what was best.
But nobody asked what I wanted.
My dad continued.
“Karen convinced me that strict rules would help you become stronger.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Like taking my stuff?””
He closed his eyes.
“I know.””
A long silence followed.
Then he said:
“But there’s something else.””
I turned.
“What?””
He hesitated.
“I found out recently that Karen had been hiding financial information from me.””
I frowned.
“What kind of information?””
“She was moving money.””
My heart started racing.
“Money?””
“Yes.””
“How much?””
My dad looked at me.
“Enough that I hired someone to investigate.””
I sat frozen.
Karen had manipulated Devon.
She had tried to push me out.
And now there was money involved?
“Dad…”
He nodded.
“I should have told you sooner.””
Before I could respond, his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His expression changed.
“Who is it?””
He didn’t answer.
He just stood up.
After a few seconds, he finally picked up.
“Hello?””
I watched his face.
The color slowly disappeared.
“What do you mean she already did that?””
My heart started pounding.
Dad turned away.
“No. Don’t send anything. I need to handle this myself.””
He ended the call.
I stood.
“What happened?””
He looked at me.
And the fear in his eyes scared me more than anger ever could.
“Karen didn’t just sell your computer.””
I waited.
“She took something much bigger.””
“What?””
My dad looked toward the house.
May you like
Then he said:
“She transferred ownership of something that belongs to you.””
