Chapter 8: The Truth My Father Hid
I didn’t tell Dad what Mom said.
Not immediately.
I needed to understand why every person I loved seemed to have a hidden version of the truth.
The next morning, I drove to my parents’ house alone.
The same house where I grew up.
The same place where my mother taught me to cook.
The same place where my father taught me how to ride a bike.
Except now, it felt unfamiliar.
Mom opened the door before I knocked.
She looked like she hadn’t slept.
“Sarah.””
I walked inside.
“Tell me everything.””
She closed the door.
“Your father cannot know I told you.””
I stared at her.
“Why?””
“Because he’ll deny it.””
“Then maybe he should.””
Mom sat down.
Her hands were shaking.
“I never wanted this to happen.””
“What didn’t you want?””
She looked at me.
“The truth.””
I waited.
“My father?”” I asked.
She nodded.
“Your grandfather left your father a business.””
I frowned.
“I know.””
“No, you don’t.””
She took a deep breath.
“It wasn’t successful.””
“What does that have to do with Dad?””
“Your father changed the books.””
I felt numb.
“What?””
“He hid losses.””
“Why?””
“Because he was afraid.””
I stood.
“My father isn’t a criminal.””
“I didn’t say he was.””
“But you’re implying it.””
Mom looked away.
“He made mistakes.””
I thought about the number.
The calls.
The secrets.
“Did Michael know?””
“Yes.””
My heart sank.
“How?””
“Your father asked him for financial advice.””
“When?””
“Almost a year ago.””
I stepped back.
“So Michael knew my father was hiding something?””
“Yes.””
“And he used it?””
Mom didn’t answer.
That answer was enough.
I walked to the window.
The entire world felt upside down.
“My husband betrayed me.””
My voice shook.
“My sister betrayed me.””
“And now my parents?””
Mom came closer.
“Sarah.””
“No.””
I turned around.
“I need you to understand something.””
She stopped.
“I don’t care how complicated it is. I don’t care who was scared or who was trying to help. Everyone made choices.””
Tears filled her eyes.
“You’re right.””
That surprised me.
“I made choices too.””
“What choices?””
She looked down.
“I knew Michael was moving money.””
I froze.
“How much did you know?””
“Not everything.””
“How much?””
She whispered.
“Enough to know you needed to be warned.””
The room went silent.
“And you didn’t.””
“I thought I could fix it.””
I laughed softly.
“That’s what everyone says.””
My phone buzzed.
A message.
From David Keller.
The investigator.
I opened it.
Sarah, we need to meet. I found proof Michael wasn’t acting alone.
I looked at Mom.
She noticed my face.
“Who is it?””
I didn’t answer.
Another message appeared.
This one had an attachment.
A photograph.
I opened it.
My heart stopped.
It was Michael.
But he wasn’t with Emily.
He was sitting across from my mother.
The date was eight months ago.
Before Dad saw him downtown.
Before I knew anything.
Mom looked at the picture.
Then she whispered:
“I can explain.””
I stared at her.
“No.””
May you like
My voice became cold.
“Now I need to know why my mother was meeting my husband in secret.””
