Chapter 5 - The Jeep Was Only the Beginning
Back at the Carter house, Brianna sat behind the wheel of the Jeep posing for photographs.
She should have been happy.
Instead, she kept watching Lily.
Lily stood near the flower garden with her father.
Brianna had spent years resenting Lily.
But much of that resentment had been taught.
Margaret constantly compared them.
At twelve, Margaret told Brianna Lily believed she was smarter.
At fourteen, she claimed Lily laughed at Brianna’s grades.
At sixteen, she said Daniel privately called Brianna irresponsible.
None of those statements had come directly from Lily.
Brianna had never questioned them.
Until recently.
Two weeks before the birthday party, she overheard Margaret speaking to Denise.
“She doesn’t need all that money.”
Denise had whispered something Brianna could not hear.
Margaret answered, “Daniel will never notice.”
Brianna had assumed they were discussing a family account.
Now, as Aaron Blake walked into the driveway carrying a sealed envelope, a cold feeling moved through her.
She climbed out of the Jeep.
“Mom?”
Denise barely looked at her.
“What?”
“Where did Grandma get the money for this?”
Denise’s head snapped toward her.
“What kind of question is that?”
“A normal one.”
“Don’t start.”
Brianna frowned.
“I’m not starting anything.”
Margaret approached.
“What’s wrong?”
Brianna held up the key.
“This.”
Margaret smiled.
“It’s yours.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Margaret’s smile faded.
Before Brianna could continue, Aaron reached Daniel.
The birthday crowd gradually quieted.
The envelope opened.
The forged signature appeared.
And the afternoon collapsed.
“You took money from her college fund,” Daniel said.
Margaret stepped backward.
“Don’t create a scene.”
Daniel looked around.
“You created the scene when you used stolen money to create one.”
Denise rushed forward.
“Stolen?”
“Forty-four thousand eight hundred dollars.”
Brianna looked at the Jeep.
Her face drained.
“No.”
Lily whispered, “Dad…”
Daniel held up the document.
“The payment came directly from Lily’s trust.”
Brianna dropped the key.
It hit the pavement.
Margaret glared at her.
“Pick that up.”
Brianna did not move.
“You told me you bought it.”
“I did.”
“With Lily’s money?”
Margaret’s expression hardened.
“That trust belongs to this family.”
Daniel took one step toward her.
“No. It doesn’t.”
Margaret pointed at him.
“Your father put that money there.”
“For Lily.”
“He was my husband.”
“And she was his granddaughter.”
Denise turned toward Margaret.
“Mom, tell him he’s wrong.”
Margaret hesitated.
That hesitation was enough.
Then Rebecca arrived.
The wineglass shattered.
The black file opened.
And Thomas Carter returned to his family through handwriting.
FOR DANIEL, WHEN MARGARET STEALS AGAIN.
Every guest saw it.
Margaret seemed unable to breathe.
Daniel looked at Rebecca.
“What does ‘again’ mean?”
May you like
Rebecca’s expression was grim.
“That is what your father wanted you to learn.”
