Chapter 2: The Money Behind the Vacation
I looked at Vanella.
“What do you mean, you promised someone else that money?””
She blinked rapidly.
“That's not what I meant.””
“Then explain it.””
Brianna moved closer to her mother.
“Mom, don't.””
It was only two words.
But they were enough to make me suspicious.
Vanella grabbed the edge of the console table.
“Michael, this isn't the time. We're all upset.””
“No. We're going to talk about it now.””
She lowered her voice.
“Can we please have this conversation privately?””
I glanced toward the staircase.
“Olivia is the one who had her belongings taken. She deserves to know why we're discussing twelve thousand dollars instead of an apology.””
Vanella's expression hardened.
“Your daughter doesn't need to be involved in every conversation.””
“My daughter lives here.””
“And so does mine!””
“Then perhaps you should teach yours to respect the people she lives with.””
Brianna threw her hands up.
“This is unbelievable. I didn't even want that ugly dress!””
Olivia appeared on the staircase.
She had changed into a simple white blouse and black trousers. Her curly hair fell naturally around her shoulders, and she was holding the damaged gown over one arm.
I hadn't heard her coming.
“Then why did you take it?”” she asked.
Brianna looked irritated.
“Because I wanted to wear it.””
“You said it was ugly.””
“I changed my mind.””
Olivia looked at the handbag.
“And you wanted Grandma's bag because?””
Brianna didn't answer.
Vanella stepped forward.
“Olivia, enough. Your father has already made his point.””
Olivia looked at her.
“No, he hasn't. Nobody has even apologized.””
The silence that followed was uncomfortable.
I placed my phone on the console table.
“Vanella, I want the truth. What did you mean when you said you had promised someone else the money?””
My wife rubbed her forehead.
“Brianna's friend was supposed to join us.””
I frowned.
“Her friend?””
“Her best friend, Madison. She's been having a difficult year. We thought it would be nice to invite her.””
I stared at her.
“You invited someone else on a vacation I was paying for?””
“She was going to reimburse us.””
“With what money?””
Vanella hesitated.
Brianna answered instead.
“Madison was going to pay for her own shopping and excursions.””
I almost laughed.
“That's not what I asked.””
Vanella shot her daughter a warning look.
I picked up my phone again.
The original booking was for four people: Vanella, Brianna, Olivia, and me.
I had deliberately booked four seats because Olivia had been looking forward to spending time with me away from school and work.
There was no fifth ticket.
“Where was Madison supposed to stay?”” I asked.
Vanella looked at the floor.
“She could share with Brianna.””
“And who was paying for the additional room expenses?””
“We would work it out.””
“With my credit card?””
Vanella's silence answered the question.
I turned toward the staircase.
“Olivia, come downstairs.””
She hesitated.
“Dad, it's okay.””
“No, sweetheart. It isn't.””
She slowly descended the stairs.
When she reached me, I put an arm around her shoulders.
“Did you know they were planning to invite Madison?””
Olivia shook her head.
“I only found out yesterday.””
“Yesterday?””
She nodded.
“Brianna was talking on the phone. She said she couldn't wait to have the whole vacation without me.””
Vanella immediately interrupted.
“She was joking.””
Olivia looked at her.
“She said you were going to tell Dad that I had a school project and couldn't come.””
My arm tightened around my daughter.
I looked at my wife.
“Is that true?””
Vanella's mouth opened, but no words came out.
Brianna rolled her eyes.
“Okay, yes. We wanted some time alone. Is that a crime?””
“Time alone?”” I repeated.
“It's not like Olivia likes doing anything with us. She always disappears into her room.””
Olivia looked at her.
“Because you tell me to leave whenever your friends come over.””
“That's not true.””
“You told Madison I was embarrassing.””
Brianna's face reddened.
“Because you wear those ridiculous oversized sweaters everywhere!””
“Brianna,” Vanella warned.
But Olivia wasn't finished.
“And last month, you told me I should be grateful Dad let me live here.””
The words landed like a slap.
I turned slowly toward my wife.
“Did you hear that?””
Vanella looked genuinely uncomfortable.
“She misunderstood.””
“What exactly did she misunderstand?””
“I was trying to explain that this is a blended family. Everyone has to make adjustments.””
“Adjustments?”” I repeated.
Olivia's voice became very quiet.
“I don't want anything from Brianna. I just want her to stop taking my things.””
I looked down at the damaged gown.
There was still a faint smell of perfume and spilled wine on the fabric.
“Go upstairs, sweetheart,” I said.
“I'll be there in a minute.””
This time she didn't argue.
When she was gone, I faced Vanella.
“Four years, Vanella. Four years I've been trying to make this work.””
“And I've been trying, too!””
“Have you?””
She stepped closer.
“You have no idea how difficult it is raising a teenage girl who constantly compares herself to your daughter.””
“Then why are you encouraging her to compete?””
Vanella shook her head.
“That's not what I'm doing.””
“Your daughter took something that belonged to mine, and you defended her.””
“Because Brianna feels left out!””
“Olivia lost her mother. Did you ever consider that she might feel left out, too?””
Vanella went quiet.
I had never used Olivia's mother's death as an argument. I didn't want to turn grief into a weapon.
But that evening, I couldn't pretend the problem was simply two girls fighting over a dress.
My daughter had been trying to find her place in a family that was supposed to welcome her.
Instead, she had been made to feel like a guest.
I walked toward the staircase.
Behind me, Vanella called my name.
“Michael, wait.””
I stopped.
She was holding her phone.
“There's something else you need to understand.””
“What?””
She swallowed.
“The vacation wasn't just for us.””
I turned around.
“What does that mean?””
Vanella unlocked her phone and opened a message thread.
Then she held the screen toward me.
There was a message from someone named Madison.
Can't wait! Mom said the trip is finally happening. Just make sure Olivia doesn't find out about the surprise until we're there.
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Vanella.
“What surprise?””
She quickly locked the screen.
“It's nothing.””
“Then why does Madison think Olivia shouldn't know?””
Vanella didn't answer.
Brianna stepped forward, looking suddenly frightened.
“Mom, you said Dad wouldn't find out.””
My stomach tightened.
I looked from Brianna to Vanella.
“Find out about what?””
Neither woman spoke.
Then my phone vibrated.
An email had arrived from the travel company.
It was an automated notification regarding the canceled reservation.
But beneath it was another message.
A second booking confirmation.
Same resort.
Same dates.
Same vacation.
Different payment card.
May you like
And the name on the reservation wasn't mine.
It was Vanella's.
