Chapter 4: The Name My Father Recognized
My father kept staring at the tablet.
“Vanessa, who were you talking to?””
She looked at the screen, then at him.
“Nobody important.””
Michael let out a short, humorless laugh.
“Nobody important knows about withdrawals from my daughter's account?””
“I was talking to someone about household finances.””
“Then why did you say we would both be finished if Emily spoke to Daniel Carter?””
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“You're twisting my words.””
“I'm watching you say them!””
Kayla stood beside the doorway, nervously picking at the sleeve of her sweatshirt.
I moved closer to the desk.
“Dad, there's something else.””
He turned toward me.
“What?””
“The account. Mom's money. I want to know how much was taken.””
Vanessa immediately interrupted.
“You're not entitled to demand financial records just because you found an old letter.””
I stared at her.
“It's my money.””
“Your mother left that money for your future. It was never meant to become something you could use to attack this family.””
I shook my head.
“You stole my mother's letter, entered my bedroom while I was sleeping, and helped Kayla get me thrown out. And now you're talking about what my mother intended?””
“Emily!”” my father warned.
But I didn't stop.
“For six years, you've made me feel like I was a guest in my own home. Every time Kayla broke something, I was blamed. Every time money disappeared, you pointed at me. And tonight you actually slapped me.””
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“Oh, here we go. The poor little victim.””
My father's expression changed.
“That's enough.””
He turned toward Vanessa.
“I want the truth. Who were you talking to?””
She stared at him for several seconds.
Then she finally answered.
“Peter.””
My father froze.
“Peter?””
“Your brother.””
I looked between them.
Uncle Peter was Dad's younger brother. He worked as an accountant and had helped Dad organize paperwork after my mother died.
He visited occasionally, usually bringing expensive chocolates for Kayla and asking me about school without really listening to the answer.
Dad slowly sat down.
“Why would my brother be involved in Sarah's account?””
Vanessa sighed.
“Because you asked him to help with the finances after Sarah passed away.””
“I asked him to organize the household bills.””
“He also helped with the investment accounts.””
My father shook his head.
“No. He told me everything had been transferred into the education fund.””
Vanessa looked away.
I felt cold.
“Did Uncle Peter take the money?””
She snapped her head toward me.
“Don't accuse people when you don't understand anything.””
“Then explain it.””
Vanessa looked at my father.
“Peter said there were expenses. He said moving some of the funds temporarily would prevent penalties and make things easier.””
“Temporarily?”” Dad repeated.
“Yes.””
“How much?””
She didn't answer.
My father stood up.
“I'm calling him.””
He dialed Peter's number.
The phone rang four times before someone answered.
“Michael? It's late. What's wrong?””
Dad put the phone on speaker.
“Peter, do you remember Sarah's education account?””
There was a pause.
“Why are you asking about that?””
“Because I just found a letter she wrote before she died. It says the money was supposed to remain untouched until Emily turned eighteen.””
Another silence.
Then Peter cleared his throat.
“Look, Michael, you don't want to get into this tonight.””
My father gripped the phone.
“Where did the money go?””
“Vanessa handled most of that.””
Vanessa's eyes widened.
“Peter!””
My father glanced at her.
“Don't interrupt.””
Peter continued.
“Michael, you know how difficult things were after Sarah died. You were barely functioning. Someone had to make decisions.””
“I asked you to help me, not take my daughter's money.””
“Nobody took anything. It was transferred.””
“Transferred where?””
“I'll explain everything tomorrow.””
“No. You're explaining it now.””
Peter sighed.
Then he said something that made my father sit down again.
“Michael, check the documents you signed.””
Dad frowned.
“What documents?””
“The transfer authorizations. You approved them yourself.””
My chest tightened.
Dad looked at me.
“I never approved taking Emily's money.””
Peter's voice became impatient.
“I'm not discussing this over the phone. Just remember what I told you. You signed the papers.””
The line went dead.
For several seconds, the only sound in the study was the ticking wall clock.
Vanessa straightened her blouse.
“There. You see? It was handled properly.””
My father turned toward her.
“Get out.””
Her mouth fell open.
“What?””
“Go upstairs. I don't want another word from you until I speak with Peter and Daniel.””
“This is my house!””
“It's also Emily's home.””
Vanessa stared at him as though she'd never expected him to say those words.
Kayla hurried after her mother.
But before leaving, she looked back at me.
“Are you happy now?””
I didn't answer.
She disappeared upstairs.
Dad rubbed his face with both hands.
Then he looked at the tablet.
“Noah, can you save every recording? Don't delete anything.””
Noah nodded.
“I already copied them.””
“Good boy.””
I stood beside Dad.
“Do you believe me now?””
He looked at my swollen cheek.
His eyes filled.
“I should have believed you before.””
I wanted to hug him.
I wanted to tell him it was okay.
But the memory of him asking why Kayla was crying still hurt.
“Dad, I need more than an apology.””
He nodded slowly.
“I know.””
Then his phone vibrated.
A message appeared from Peter.
Dad opened it.
There was only one sentence.
*Tell Emily to stop digging. She has no idea what her mother really discovered before she died.*
My father read it twice.
Then he whispered my mother's name.
“Sarah…”
Because suddenly, this wasn't just about missing money.
May you like
Someone had been afraid of my mother long before she died.
And now they were afraid of me.
