Chapter 5: The Secret Behind Graduation Day
I stared at Karen.
For several seconds, I couldn’t process her words.
“What does my father have to do with my graduation?””
Karen looked uncomfortable.
“I shouldn’t be the one telling you.””
“Then why are you?””
She sighed.
“Because this has gone too far.””
I opened the door wider.
“Come inside.””
Karen stepped into my room.
The same room where my gown had been destroyed.
The same room where Madison had made her choice.
She looked at the empty space where the old gown had hung.
“She hated this moment.””
“Why?””
Karen sat down slowly.
“Because tomorrow wasn’t just your graduation.””
I waited.
“It was the day your father planned to announce something.””
My eyebrows pulled together.
“Announce what?””
Karen hesitated.
Then she said:
“He was going to transfer ownership of your grandmother’s old house to you.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
Karen nodded.
“Your grandmother left it for your education and future. Your father managed everything until you graduated.””
I sat down.
That house.
The one my grandmother always talked about.
The one filled with old family photographs.
The one Dad always said would belong to me one day.
“Why would Madison care?””
Karen looked away.
“Because she thought your father was choosing you again.””
I shook my head.
“That doesn’t make sense.””
“It does if you know Madison.””
I looked at her.
“Then tell me.””
Karen was quiet.
Finally, she whispered:
“She found out weeks ago.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“She knew?””
“Yes.””
“And she decided to ruin my graduation?””
Karen nodded.
“But I don’t think she expected the camera.””
I stood up.
“So she destroyed my gown to stop me from being celebrated?””
Karen didn’t answer.
She didn’t need to.
A thousand memories suddenly looked different.
Madison wasn’t just competing with my grades.
She was competing with my place in the family.
My phone buzzed.
I looked down.
A message.
Unknown number.
My heart stopped.
*You’re asking the wrong person questions.*
I stared at the screen.
Another message appeared.
*Ask Dad why he never told you the truth.*
I looked at Karen.
She saw my face.
“What happened?””
I showed her the phone.
Her expression changed immediately.
“That’s Madison.””
“How do you know?””
“Because she does this.””
I felt angry.
But underneath the anger was confusion.
“What truth?””
Karen didn’t answer.
That scared me more than anything.
“Karen.””
She rubbed her forehead.
“There are things your father hasn’t told you.””
“What things?””
Before she could respond, the front door opened.
Dad was home.
Karen stood quickly.
“Don’t tell him I said anything.””
I stared at her.
“You’re serious?””
“Please.””
She walked out of my room.
I followed.
Dad was standing near the entrance holding a folder.
He looked at both of us.
“What’s going on?””
Nobody spoke.
Then his eyes moved to the folder in his hand.
“Actually, maybe this is the right time.””
My heart started racing.
“What is that?””
Dad looked at me.
“It’s the paperwork for your grandmother’s house.””
I looked at Karen.
Then back at him.
“Why does Madison know about this?””
The silence was immediate.
Dad’s face changed.
Not confusion.
Fear.
And that was when I knew.
He had been hiding something.
“What aren’t you telling me?”” I asked.
Dad slowly placed the folder on the table.
Then he said something I never expected.
“Emma… the house was never the reason Madison was angry.””
I waited.
“The reason she hates you is because she believes you took something else from her.””
“What?””
May you like
Dad looked down.
“A place in this family.””
