Chapter 2: The Receipt
I didn't sleep that night.
I lay in bed staring at the ceiling while rain tapped against my window.
Every few minutes, I opened my banking app.
The savings account had always been my little safety net.
Grandma had started it when I was nine. Every birthday, every Christmas, every summer job paycheck—something went into it. By sixteen, there was just over $30,000.
Dad always called it "Emma's future fund.""
College.
Medical expenses.
A first apartment.
Whatever I needed when I became an adult.
I opened the account.
The balance was *$217.43*.
I sat straight up.
"No.""
I refreshed the page.
Same number.
My hands started shaking.
There were three large withdrawals.
One for $12,000.
One for $10,500.
And one for $7,500.
Together, they totaled exactly $30,000.
I grabbed my phone and called Dad.
He answered after the fourth ring.
"Hey, kiddo. Everything okay?""
"Dad...""
My voice cracked.
He immediately sounded alert.
"What's wrong?""
"How much money is in my savings account?""
Silence.
"What?""
"My savings account. How much?""
"I don't know. Why?""
"I checked it.""
Another pause.
"Emma, what did you see?""
"Two hundred seventeen dollars.""
His breathing changed.
"That can't be right.""
"It is.""
"Did you make a withdrawal?""
"No.""
"Did you give someone access?""
"No.""
He was silent for several seconds.
Then he asked, very carefully, "Who has access to that account?""
I looked toward my bedroom door.
"Laura.""
Dad didn't say anything.
"Dad?""
"I'm coming home.""
"You're working.""
"I said I'm coming home.""
Twenty-five minutes later, his truck pulled into the driveway.
I ran downstairs.
Dad came through the front door still wearing his work jacket.
His face was pale.
"Show me.""
I handed him my phone.
He stared at the transactions.
Then he looked at me.
"Emma, did Laura tell you anything?""
"She said my appointment was too expensive.""
His jaw tightened.
"Your appointment?""
"She canceled it.""
"Why?""
"She said we'd deal with it later.""
Dad walked into the kitchen.
Laura was standing at the counter.
She turned around.
"You came home early.""
Dad held up my phone.
"What's this?""
Laura's face went blank.
"I don't know.""
"Thirty thousand dollars disappeared from Emma's account.""
"I told you, I don't know.""
Dad placed the phone on the counter.
"Then explain these withdrawals.""
Laura crossed her arms.
"Maybe Emma spent it.""
"I didn't," I said.
Laura looked at me.
"Stay out of this.""
Dad stepped between us.
"Don't talk to her like that.""
"I wasn't—"
"Where is the money, Laura?""
Her eyes darted toward the hallway.
"I don't understand why you're accusing me.""
"Because you're the only other person with access.""
"That doesn't prove anything.""
Dad pulled his phone from his pocket.
"I'm calling the bank.""
Laura's voice suddenly softened.
"Please don't.""
Dad stopped.
"Why?""
She looked at him.
For the first time that night, she looked scared.
"Because...""
She swallowed.
"The money is gone.""
My chest tightened.
"Where did it go?""
Laura said nothing.
Dad's voice dropped.
"Laura. Where did my daughter's money go?""
She wiped her eyes.
"I was going to replace it.""
"Replace it with what?""
"I just needed some time.""
"Time for what?""
Laura's lips trembled.
Then she whispered the sentence that made my father go completely still.
"I bought Tyler the car.""
Nobody moved.
Rain continued tapping against the windows.
Dad stared at her.
"What car?""
Laura began crying.
"The red one.""
Dad looked at me.
Then at Laura.
Then back at the phone showing my empty savings account.
"How much?""
Laura covered her face.
"Thirty thousand.""
My father's expression hardened.
"Take me to the dealership.""
Laura shook her head.
"Please.""
"Now.""
But before either of them could move, Dad's phone rang.
He answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice spoke on the other end.
Dad's eyes narrowed.
"You're calling about the vehicle?""
He listened.
Then his face changed.
"What do you mean the title is already registered?""
May you like
He slowly looked at Laura.
"And whose name is on it?""
