Chapter 9: The Name on the Deed
Dad didn't tell us immediately.
He sat at the kitchen table with the phone in his hand, staring at the message from the realtor.
Laura stood across from him.
Tyler was beside the refrigerator.
I sat quietly near the window.
Finally, Dad spoke.
"The apartment is in Laura's name.""
Laura closed her eyes.
"I can explain.""
"You already said that.""
"I was going to use it temporarily.""
"With whose money?""
She didn't answer.
Dad looked at Tyler.
"Do you know anything about the apartment?""
Tyler nodded reluctantly.
"She showed it to me.""
"When?""
"Last month.""
Dad turned to Laura.
"You planned this before the car.""
Laura shook her head.
"No.""
"Then why did you already have an apartment?""
"I was scared.""
"Of me?""
"Of everything.""
Dad stood.
"You didn't wake up one morning and accidentally buy an apartment.""
Laura began crying.
"I didn't know what I was doing.""
Dad picked up the contract.
"You signed it.""
"I was desperate.""
"You transferred five thousand dollars.""
"I was going to pay the rest later.""
"With Emma's money.""
Laura whispered, "Yes.""
Dad closed his eyes.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then I asked the question that had been sitting in my chest all morning.
"Why me?""
Laura looked at me.
I continued.
"If you hated Dad, why did you take my money?""
She stared at me for a long time.
"I never hated you.""
"Then why?""
Her voice cracked.
"Because I thought your father would always choose you.""
Dad's face tightened.
"He should.""
Laura looked away.
"That's what I couldn't accept.""
The room became painfully quiet.
Dad stepped toward her.
"You were jealous of my daughter?""
"I was jealous of what you gave her.""
"Love?""
"Attention.""
"She's my child.""
"I know.""
"You were supposed to be an adult.""
Laura nodded through tears.
"I know.""
Dad placed the apartment contract on the table.
"You're selling it.""
Laura looked terrified.
"I'll lose money.""
"Then you'll lose money.""
"And the car?""
"Sold.""
"My savings?""
"Used to repay Emma.""
"What about the rest?""
"Debt.""
Laura sank into a chair.
"I'll have nothing.""
Dad looked at her.
"You'll have the consequences of your choices.""
She cried quietly.
I expected to feel satisfied.
I didn't.
I just felt tired.
Then Dad came over and crouched beside me.
"We're going to get you that appointment.""
I nodded.
"And we're going to rebuild your savings.""
"You don't have to promise.""
"I do.""
He squeezed my hand.
"You're my daughter.""
Laura suddenly spoke.
"Emma.""
I looked at her.
"I'm sorry.""
This time, I didn't answer.
Dad stood.
"We're leaving.""
As we reached the front door, Tyler called after us.
"Dad.""
Dad stopped.
Tyler held up his phone.
"There's one more message.""
Dad turned around.
"What?""
Tyler looked nervous.
"I found it this morning.""
He walked over and handed Dad the phone.
It was a message from Michael.
Sent the night before.
*"If Laura doesn't have the $30,000 by Friday, I'm going to tell David everything.""*
Dad frowned.
"Everything?""
Tyler nodded.
"There was another message underneath.""
Dad scrolled.
His expression changed.
"What does it say?""
Tyler swallowed.
"Michael said the debt wasn't Laura's.""
Dad looked at Laura.
She was crying.
"Whose was it?""
Laura said nothing.
Dad stared at her.
"Laura.""
She finally whispered:
"Yours.""
Dad's face went pale.
"My debt?""
"No.""
"Then whose?""
Laura's hands shook.
She looked directly at me.
And said the one thing I never expected to hear.
"Emma's.""
Dad's eyes widened.
"What did you do?""
Laura couldn't answer.
Tyler stepped forward.
"Mom...""
She covered her face.
Dad's voice was barely controlled.
"Tell me.""
Laura lowered her hands.
"The money wasn't stolen to pay Tyler's debt.""
She looked at me.
"It was taken because someone was threatening Emma.""
May you like
Dad went completely still.
"Who?""
