Chapter 2: The Call That Ended the Vacation
My father sat across from me, his phone between us like evidence in a courtroom.
I read the message again.
Then again.
My brain refused to accept it.
“Linda stole from you?””
My father rubbed his forehead.
“I’ve suspected something for months.””
“Months?””
“You think I didn’t notice missing transfers? Strange purchases? Accounts being moved around?””
I stood up.
“You knew she was doing something wrong, and you still let her treat Lily like that?””
His expression changed.
Guilt.
Real guilt.
“I didn’t know about Lily’s ticket until today.””
“But you knew enough to stay quiet.””
He had no answer.
That was the part that hurt.
My father had always been the person who taught me that family protects each other.
But somehow, he had forgotten that lesson when it mattered.
The next morning, Linda walked into the kitchen wearing designer sunglasses and carrying her luggage.
Ethan followed behind her, smiling.
He was holding a new gaming tablet.
A very expensive one.
“Ready for paradise?”” Linda asked.
I looked at the tablet.
Then at my father.
He noticed it too.
His face hardened.
“Where did Ethan get that?””
Linda smiled.
“I bought it yesterday.””
“With what card?””
The smile disappeared.
“What kind of question is that?””
My father picked up his phone.
“The card with my name on it.””
The room froze.
Ethan looked uncomfortable.
Linda laughed.
“You’re being dramatic.””
“No,” my father said.
His voice was different.
Cold.
Controlled.
“I’m finally paying attention.””
She crossed her arms.
“You’re embarrassing yourself.””
My father didn’t respond.
He unlocked his phone.
Then he made one call.
I watched Linda’s confidence disappear when she heard his words.
“Cancel the entire trip.””
A pause.
“And freeze every card in Linda Carter’s name.””
Linda’s face went pale.
“What did you just say?””
My father continued speaking into the phone.
“Also lock the secondary accounts until my attorney reviews everything.””
Linda stepped forward.
“You can’t do that.””
My father looked at her.
“I already did.””
Ethan’s expression changed.
“Mom?””
She ignored him.
“You’re ruining our vacation because of a misunderstanding?””
“A misunderstanding?””
My father laughed once.
There was no humor in it.
“You purchased a luxury tablet yesterday. You booked expensive shopping appointments. You transferred money from an account you weren’t authorized to touch.””
Linda’s eyes narrowed.
“You’re choosing her over me?””
My father looked at me.
Then at Lily’s empty seat at the table.
“No.””
His voice softened.
“I’m choosing what’s right.””
For the first time, Linda looked afraid.
But she wasn’t finished.
She grabbed her phone.
“You don’t know everything.””
My father stared at her.
“What does that mean?””
She smiled.
A nervous smile.
“You really think Sarah is innocent?””
My body went still.
“What?””
Linda looked at my father.
“You should ask your daughter why she never told you the truth.””
The room became silent.
My father turned toward me.
“Sarah?””
I felt my chest tighten.
“What is she talking about?””
Linda picked up her luggage.
“I guess you’ll find out.””
Then she walked toward the door.
But before she left, my father said something that stopped her.
“Linda.””
She turned.
“My attorney already found the records.””
Her face changed.
“What records?””
My father held up his phone.
“The ones proving you weren’t just stealing money.””
Linda froze.
He looked at me.
May you like
Then he said the words I would never forget.
“Sarah, that’s not all I just discovered.””