Chapter 5: The Secret Behind My Father’s Silence
We sat inside my living room, but nobody felt comfortable.
It was strange watching them sit there.
The same people who had made me feel unwanted in their home were now sitting quietly in mine.
My father held the folder on his lap.
Karen sat beside him.
But she kept looking toward the door.
Like she was waiting for someone.
I noticed.
And I wasn’t the only one.
“Who are you expecting?”” I asked.
Karen looked at me.
“No one.””
“You keep checking the door.””
“I’m not.””
“You are.””
She looked away.
That was when I knew.
She was hiding something.
My father opened the folder.
“Emma, there are bank records.””
I looked at him.
“From when?””
“Before your mother died.””
He handed me several papers.
I scanned them.
At first, they looked normal.
Mortgage payments.
House expenses.
Medical bills.
Then I saw something.
A transfer.
A large one.
My eyes narrowed.
“What is this?””
My father looked uncomfortable.
“I don’t know.””
“You don’t know?””
“No.””
I pointed at the paper.
“This account belongs to you.””
He nodded.
“And the money went somewhere else.””
He looked at Karen.
The room became silent.
Karen stood up.
“This is ridiculous.””
I watched her carefully.
“Where did the money go?””
She crossed her arms.
“I have no idea.””
My father’s voice became quieter.
“Karen.””
She looked at him.
“What?””
“Tell the truth.””
Her expression changed.
Not guilt.
Anger.
“You’re really doing this?””
My father shook his head.
“I’m asking a question.””
“You’re accusing me because of a letter from a dead woman?””
The words were out before she could stop them.
Nobody moved.
My father’s face changed.
Lily covered her mouth.
I felt something cold settle inside me.
A dead woman.
That was how Karen saw my mother.
Not as someone who loved me.
Not as someone who had left behind a daughter.
Just an obstacle.
“You should leave,” I said.
Karen stared at me.
“What?””
“You heard me.””
“Emma—”
“No.””
I stood.
“This is my house.””
The irony wasn’t lost on me.
Years ago, she had used those words against me.
Now I was finally saying them back.
“You don’t get to come here and disrespect my mother.””
Karen laughed bitterly.
“You think you know everything.””
“No.””
I looked directly at her.
“But I know enough.””
She grabbed her purse.
“Fine.””
My father looked surprised.
“Karen.””
She ignored him.
“You want to believe I’m the villain? Go ahead.””
She walked toward the door.
Then she stopped.
“You should ask your father why he never told you the truth.””
I looked at my father.
“What truth?””
Karen smiled.
A small, cruel smile.
The same one she wore at dinner.
Then she left.
The door closed.
My father stayed silent.
I stared at him.
“What truth?””
He rubbed his face.
“Emma…”
“What truth?””
He looked older than I had ever seen him.
“She knew about the house.””
“Who?””
“Karen.””
My stomach dropped.
“You told her?””
He nodded slowly.
“Years ago.””
“Why?””
“Because I trusted her.””
I laughed softly.
“And she wanted it.””
He didn’t answer.
That was the answer.
I walked to the window.
The hills outside were peaceful.
My life finally felt safe.
But my past had followed me here.
“How long did she know?””
My father hesitated.
“Since before you turned eighteen.””
I turned around.
“Before I turned eighteen?””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
His eyes filled with regret.
“Because I was afraid.””
I almost couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“Afraid of what?””
“Losing my family.””
I stared at him.
“You mean losing Karen.””
He looked down.
“Yes.””
The honesty hurt.
But at least it was finally honesty.
I sat down.
“My mother knew.””
He nodded.
“She suspected.””
“And you ignored it.””
“Yes.””
His voice cracked.
“I was wrong.””
The room was quiet.
Then Lily spoke.
She had been standing near the door the entire time.
“I need to tell you something.””
I looked at her.
“What?””
She walked closer.
“When Mom moved your things, I found something too.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
“A second envelope.””
My father looked up.
“What?””
Lily looked terrified.
“It had my name on it.””
I stared at her.
“What did it say?””
She reached into her bag.
Slowly.
Carefully.
She pulled out a folded piece of paper.
“I didn’t open it.””
“Why?””
“Because I was scared.””
“Scared of what?””
Her eyes moved toward the door Karen had walked through.
“Because I heard Mom talking about it.””
I felt a chill.
“What did she say?””
Lily whispered:
“She said if Emma ever found the truth, I would have to choose a side.””
Nobody spoke.
Then my father stood.
“Where is the envelope?””
Lily looked at him.
“I left it at home.””
My phone suddenly rang.
Unknown number.
I stared at the screen.
Nobody moved.
Then it rang again.
My father looked worried.
“Don’t answer.””
I looked at him.
“Why?””
His face went pale.
“Because I know who it is.””
The phone kept ringing.
“Who?””
May you like
My father whispered:
“The person your mother was afraid of.””
