Chapter 4: The Money She Thought He Would Never Find
Vanessa stared at the final page.
Her fingers trembled as she held the document, and for the first time since I had known her, she looked genuinely afraid.
"Where did you get this?"" she whispered.
My father, Daniel, stood across the dining table with his arms folded.
"From the bank. It's my account, Vanessa. I'm entitled to know where my money goes.""
She swallowed.
"This is private.""
"Private? You've been spending money I transferred for the entire household. You made it my business when you used that money to buy designer clothes for your children while refusing to buy my daughter a decent pair of shoes.""
Vanessa glanced at me.
"She's been telling you lies.""
Dad shook his head.
"Don't even try that.""
He pointed to the final page.
"Explain this transaction.""
I moved closer.
The document contained dozens of transfers, but one entry stood out.
$18,500.
The money had been transferred from my father's household account into Vanessa's personal account six months earlier.
"What was that for?"" Dad asked.
Vanessa quickly folded the document.
"It was for emergencies.""
"What emergency?""
"Household expenses!""
Daniel took the paper back.
"Then why did you transfer it into an account I don't have access to?""
She hesitated.
"Because I needed to manage the money.""
"Manage it?""
He tapped another section.
"According to these records, the money was withdrawn in several installments. Some went toward Madison's shopping. Some went toward Tyler's gaming equipment. And nearly $7,000 went to a jewelry store.""
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"I deserve nice things too, Daniel. I spend my entire life taking care of this family.""
Dad stared at her.
"Nobody said you didn't deserve anything. But you were given money for a specific purpose.""
"I am your wife!""
"And she's my daughter!""
His voice echoed through the dining room.
I flinched.
He noticed and immediately softened his tone.
"Sorry, sweetheart.""
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"Look at you. You can't even raise your voice without checking whether she might cry.""
Dad looked at her with disbelief.
"She's a child. She's been crying because of you.""
"She's almost sixteen!""
"That doesn't make her an adult.""
Vanessa placed both hands on the table.
"Fine. You want the truth? I used some of the money for myself. I'm tired of living like a servant while you come home and expect everything to be perfect.""
Dad remained silent.
She continued.
"I wanted nice clothes. I wanted jewelry. I wanted to take my children on vacations. Is that a crime?""
"No. But pretending that you were spending the money on the whole family while deliberately neglecting one child is unacceptable.""
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
"You've never appreciated me.""
Daniel looked at the document again.
"I appreciated you enough to trust you with my salary.""
Then he pulled out his phone.
"I've already contacted the bank. The household account is no longer accessible through your personal card. I'll handle the mortgage, utilities, school fees, and groceries directly.""
Vanessa went completely still.
"You can't do that without discussing it with me.""
"I've been discussing our finances with you for three years. You simply never expected me to check.""
She turned toward me.
"This is what you wanted, isn't it?""
I shook my head.
"No, Vanessa. I just wanted shoes that didn't have holes in them.""
She looked away.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Dad turned to me.
"Go get your schoolbag, sweetheart. I'm taking you to school.""
I nodded and hurried upstairs.
But as I reached the landing, I heard Vanessa say something that made me stop.
"You'll regret humiliating me.""
Dad answered calmly.
"The only thing I regret is not noticing sooner.""
That afternoon, he picked me up from school and took me to a small restaurant near his office.
We ordered burgers and milkshakes.
I watched him carefully as he read through messages on his phone.
"Dad?""
He put the phone down.
"Yes?""
"Are you going to divorce Vanessa?""
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he reached across the table and took my hand.
"I don't know what will happen between the two of us yet. But I know what will happen to you. Nobody is going to make you feel unwanted in your own home.""
I nodded.
He smiled sadly.
"Your mother would have wanted you to stand up for yourself.""
I looked down at my milkshake.
"I miss Mom.""
"Me too, sweetheart. Every day.""
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Dad received a message.
His expression changed as he read it.
"What is it?"" I asked.
He turned the phone toward me.
It was a message from the school administrator.
Mr. Carter, we need to discuss an incident involving your daughter. Someone has requested a meeting regarding her school enrollment and financial support.
I frowned.
"Who requested it?""
Dad read the message again.
Then another notification appeared.
It was an email from the school counselor.
Attached was a document signed by Vanessa.
And the subject line read:
*Request to Change Emma's Living Arrangements.*
May you like
My father slowly put down his phone.
"She's gone too far.""
