Chapter 1: The Empty Driveway
“You can take the bus, Emily. Not everyone gets to have everything they want.””
My stepmother said it without looking up from her## Chapter 1: The Empty Driveway
“You can take the bus, Emily. Not everyone gets to have everything they want.””
My stepmother said it without looking up from her phone, while my stepsister posed beside a brand-new luxury SUV that had been purchased with money I had spent two years of my life earning.
Neither phone, while my stepsister posed beside a brand-new luxury SUV that had been purchased with money I had spent two years of my life earning.
Neither of them knew that my father was about to uncover something far worse than the theft of my car.
And neither of them knew that the woman who had been calling herself the lady of our house had been living on borrowed time.
I was of them knew that my father was about to uncover something far worse than the theft of my car.
And neither of them knew that the woman who had been calling herself the lady of our house had been living on borrowed time.
I was twenty years old when I came home from a nine-hour shift at a diner in Atlanta and discovered that my silver Honda Civic was gone.
For several seconds, I stood in the driveway with twenty years old when I came home from a nine-hour shift at a diner in Atlanta and discovered that my silver Honda Civic was gone.
For several seconds, I stood in the driveway with a paper bag of leftover biscuits hanging from my fingers, staring at the empty patch of concrete where I had parked that morning.
I checked behind my father's pickup.
Then I checked the street.
Then I walked around the house, searching for a paper bag of leftover biscuits hanging from my fingers, staring at the empty patch of concrete where I had parked that morning.
I checked behind my father's pickup.
Then I checked the street.
Then I walked around the house, searching for a car I knew wasn't there.
My hands began to shake.
I pulled out my phone and called my father, Daniel.
Straight to voicemail.
"Dad, it's me," I said, trying to a car I knew wasn't there.
My hands began to shake.
I pulled out my phone and called my father, Daniel.
Straight to voicemail.
"Dad, it's me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Something's happened. Please call me as soon as you get this.""
I ended the call and hurried inside.
Monica, my stepmother, keep my voice steady.
"Something's happened. Please call me as soon as you get this.""
I ended the call and hurried inside.
Monica, my stepmother, was stretched across the living room couch in a cream-colored designer outfit. Her manicured nails tapped against her screen. A half-f was stretched across the living room couch in a cream-colored designer outfit.
Her manicured nails tapped against her screen. A half-finished glass of iced coffee sat on the table beside her.
She looked perfectly comfortable.
That was the first thing that made me angry.
"Monica, where's my car?""
She continued scrolling.
"I sold it.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
She sighed as though I had interrupted an important business meeting.
"Your Honda. Iinished glass of iced coffee sat on the table beside her.
She looked perfectly comfortable.
That was the first thing that made me angry.
"Monica, where's my car?""
She continued scrolling.
"I sold it.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
She sighed as though I had interrupted an important business meeting.
"Your Honda. I sold it this morning. Honestly, Emily, I don't understand why you're making that face.""
"Because you sold my car!""
"There's no need to shout.""
"That car is registered sold it this morning. Honestly, Emily, I don't understand why you're making that face.""
"Because you sold my car!""
"There's no need to shout.""
"That car is registered in my name. You had no permission to sell it!""
Monica finally looked up. Her expression held the same mild irritation she used whenever I asked why my paycheck was expected to cover groceries despite my in my name. You had no permission to sell it!""
Monica finally looked up. Her expression held the same mild irritation she used whenever I asked why my paycheck was expected to cover groceries despite my being a full-time college student.
"You're twenty years old. You can learn to manage without a car.""
I dropped the bag being a full-time college student.
"You're twenty years old. You can learn to manage without a car.""
I dropped the bag of biscuits onto the counter.
"Where's the money?""
She tilted her head.
"What money?""
"The money you got from selling my Honda!""
"Oh, that."" She waved a hand.
"It went toward something more useful.""
My stomach tightened.
"Something of biscuits onto the counter.
"Where's the money?""
She tilted her head.
"What money?""
"The money you got from selling my Honda!""
"Oh, that."" She waved a hand.
"It went toward something more useful.""
My stomach tightened.
"Something more useful than the car I need to get to work?""
Before she could answer, the front door opened.
My stepsister, Kayla, walked in wearing oversized sunglasses, a white designer outfit, and a more useful than the car I need to get to work?""
Before she could answer, the front door opened.
My stepsister, Kayla, walked in wearing oversized sunglasses, a white designer outfit, and a smile so wide it looked painful.
"Mom, can you take pictures of me outside?"" she called.
"The lighting is incredible.""
Then she saw me.
Her eyes traveled over my diner uniform, my tired face, and the paper smile so wide it looked painful.
"Mom, can you take pictures of me outside?"" she called.
"The lighting is incredible.""
Then she saw me.
Her eyes traveled over my diner uniform, my tired face, and the paper bag on the counter.
Her smile widened.
"Oh, Emily. You're home.""
"Apparently.""
She laughed softly.
"Come outside bag on the counter.
Her smile widened.
"Oh, Emily. You're home.""
"Apparently.""
She laughed softly.
"Come outside. I want you to see something.""
I didn't move.
"Did you know Mom sold my car?""
Kayla pushed her sunglasses onto her head.
". I want you to see something.""
I didn't move.
"Did you know Mom sold my car?""
Kayla pushed her sunglasses onto her head.
"Well, yeah.""
The casualness of her answer hit harder than a slap.
"You knew?""
"Obviously. It'sWell, yeah.""
The casualness of her answer hit harder than a slap.
"You knew?""
"Obviously. It's not like she sold a kidney.""
She walked past me and opened the front door again.
"Come on. You're going to love this.""
I followed her outside because some part of me still hoped I had misunderstood.
Then not like she sold a kidney.""
She walked past me and opened the front door again.
"Come on. You're going to love this.""
I followed her outside because some part of me still hoped I had misunderstood.
Then I saw the SUV.
It was black, enormous, and polished so perfectly that the afternoon sun slid across its body like water I saw the SUV.
It was black, enormous, and polished so perfectly that the afternoon sun slid across its body like water. A red ribbon lay across the hood. The dealership's temporary plate was still attached to the rear.
Kayla stood beside it and held up the keys.
"Pretty. A red ribbon lay across the hood. The dealership's temporary plate was still attached to the rear.
Kayla stood beside it and held up the keys.
"Pretty, right?""
I recognized the dealership logo from a billboard near my college.
"How much did it cost?"" I asked.
"Ninety-six thousand, eight hundred dollars.""
The, right?""
I recognized the dealership logo from a billboard near my college.
"How much did it cost?"" I asked.
"Ninety-six thousand, eight hundred dollars.""
The number seemed to hang in the warm Atlanta air.
"You're joking.""
"Why would I joke about something this gorgeous?""
I number seemed to hang in the warm Atlanta air.
"You're joking.""
"Why would I joke about something this gorgeous?""
I looked at Monica, who had followed us outside.
"You sold my Honda to pay for this?""
Monica folded her arms.
"Kayla needed reliable transportation. She's starting to meet people who looked at Monica, who had followed us outside.
"You sold my Honda to pay for this?""
Monica folded her arms.
"Kayla needed reliable transportation. She's starting to meet people who expect a certain standard.""
"And I need transportation to work!""
"Then take the bus.""
Kayla leaned against the SUV.
"Maybe you'll meet a nice guy at the bus stop. One with a decent job.""
" expect a certain standard.""
"And I need transportation to work!""
"Then take the bus.""
Kayla leaned against the SUV.
"Maybe you'll meet a nice guy at the bus stop. One with a decent job.""
"Kayla, stop.""
"What? I'm trying to help.""
She pressed the key fob, and the SUV's headlights flashed.
"I meanKayla, stop.""
"What? I'm trying to help.""
She pressed the key fob, and the SUV's headlights flashed.
"I mean, my old car was embarrassing. This is an actual investment in my future.""
I stared at her.
"Your old car was a perfectly good sedan.""
"Which Mom traded in.""
My mouth went dry.
"She traded in your car, too?""
Kayla's smile faltered for half, my old car was embarrassing. This is an actual investment in my future.""
I stared at her.
"Your old car was a perfectly good sedan.""
"Which Mom traded in.""
My mouth went dry.
"She traded in your car, too?""
Kayla's smile faltered for half a second.
"Well, that was part of the deal.""
I turned toward Monica.
"How much did you get for my Honda?""
"Enough a second.
"Well, that was part of the deal.""
I turned toward Monica.
"How much did you get for my Honda?""
"Enough.""
"How much?""
"Emily, I am not going to stand here and justify every decision I make to you.""
"Every decision? You stole my car.""
"How much?""
"Emily, I am not going to stand here and justify every decision I make to you.""
"Every decision? You stole my car!""
Her face changed.
The pleasant, bored expression vanished, replaced by something hard and ugly.
"Be careful how!""
Her face changed.
The pleasant, bored expression vanished, replaced by something hard and ugly.
"Be careful how you speak to me.""
"Why? Because you might sell something else that belongs to me?""
Monica stepped closer.
"You live in this house. You eat you speak to me.""
"Why? Because you might sell something else that belongs to me?""
Monica stepped closer.
"You live in this house. You eat food purchased with family money. You use electricity, water, and internet. You think your little diner paycheck makes you independent?""
I felt food purchased with family money. You use electricity, water, and internet. You think your little diner paycheck makes you independent?""
I felt my cheeks burn.
"I paid for that car myself. Every single dollar.""
"And now you're going to learn that money isn't my cheeks burn.
"I paid for that car myself. Every single dollar.""
"And now you're going to learn that money isn't everything.""
"My mother would never have let you do this.""
For the first time, Monica's eyes sharpened with something beyond anger.
"Don't bring your mother into this.""
"Why everything.""
"My mother would never have let you do this.""
For the first time, Monica's eyes sharpened with something beyond anger.
"Don't bring your mother into this.""
"Why not? She taught me that nobody gets to take away something I've earned without answering for it.""
Monica gave a short, humorless laugh.
"Your mother isn't here not? She taught me that nobody gets to take away something I've earned without answering for it.""
Monica gave a short, humorless laugh.
"Your mother isn't here anymore, Emily. You should stop using her memory as an excuse to challenge everyone around you.""
The words landed in the exact place she intended.
For anymore, Emily. You should stop using her memory as an excuse to challenge everyone around you.""
The words landed in the exact place she intended.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
My mother, Laura, had been dead for four years. I still remembered the warmth of her hand around mine when she sat beside a moment, I couldn't speak.
My mother, Laura, had been dead for four years. I still remembered the warmth of her hand around mine when she sat beside my bed during her final weeks, too tired to stand but determined to make me laugh.
She had taught my bed during her final weeks, too tired to stand but determined to make me laugh.
She had taught me how to save money in a glass jar.
She had taught me how to change a tire.
And she had taught me that independence was not about owning expensive things.
It was about knowing your worth when me how to save money in a glass jar.
She had taught me how to change a tire.
And she had taught me that independence was not about owning expensive things.
It was about knowing your worth when someone tried to convince you that you had none.
I swallowed the ache in my throat.
"Where is the money from my car?""
Monica checked her phone.
"That conversation is over.""
"No someone tried to convince you that you had none.
I swallowed the ache in my throat.
"Where is the money from my car?""
Monica checked her phone.
"That conversation is over.""
"No, it isn't.""
She looked up slowly.
"Then perhaps you'll enjoy spending less time arguing and more time walking to the bus stop.""
Kayla burst out laughing.
I turned away before they could see, it isn't.""
She looked up slowly.
"Then perhaps you'll enjoy spending less time arguing and more time walking to the bus stop.""
Kayla burst out laughing.
I turned away before they could see my eyes fill.
That was when I heard my father's pickup rumble into the driveway.
I had never been so relieved to hear an engine.
Dad climbed out, loosening his tie. He had spent the day at his construction company's office, reviewing contracts for a my eyes fill.
That was when I heard my father's pickup rumble into the driveway.
I had never been so relieved to hear an engine.
Dad climbed out, loosening his tie. He had spent the day at his construction company's office, reviewing contracts for a new commercial project. Dust clung to his work boots, and the sleeves of his pale blue shirt were rolled to his elbows.
He smiled when he saw me.
Then he noticed my face.
"Emily new commercial project. Dust clung to his work boots, and the sleeves of his pale blue shirt were rolled to his elbows.
He smiled when he saw me.
Then he noticed my face.
"Emily? Sweetheart, what's wrong?""
I opened my mouth.
Kayla got there first.
"Dad! Look what Mom got me!""
She ran toward him, waving the keys.
Dad looked at the SUV.
His smile disappeared.
"Where did this come from?""
Monica immediately slipped her arm? Sweetheart, what's wrong?""
I opened my mouth.
Kayla got there first.
"Dad! Look what Mom got me!""
She ran toward him, waving the keys.
Dad looked at the SUV.
His smile disappeared.
"Where did this come from?""
Monica immediately slipped her arm through his.
"Surprise! We wanted to do something special for Kayla. She's been working so hard on her social media business.""
Dad looked at the dealership sticker in the window.
"Ninety-six thousand through his.
"Surprise! We wanted to do something special for Kayla. She's been working so hard on her social media business.""
Dad looked at the dealership sticker in the window.
"Ninety-six thousand, eight hundred dollars?""
"It's a luxury vehicle," Monica replied.
"The price reflects the quality.""
"That's not what I asked.""
Her fingers tightened around his arm.
"Daniel, please. Don't make a scene, eight hundred dollars?""
"It's a luxury vehicle," Monica replied.
"The price reflects the quality.""
"That's not what I asked.""
Her fingers tightened around his arm.
"Daniel, please. Don't make a scene in front of the girls.""
He gently removed her hand.
"I want to know which account paid for it.""
He pulled out his phone and opened his banking application.
I watched his expression change as he scrolled through the in front of the girls.""
He gently removed her hand.
"I want to know which account paid for it.""
He pulled out his phone and opened his banking application.
I watched his expression change as he scrolled through the transactions.
Confusion came first.
Then disbelief.
Then a coldness I had seen only once before, when a contractor had tried to cheat him out of money transactions.
Confusion came first.
Then disbelief.
Then a coldness I had seen only once before, when a contractor had tried to cheat him out of money on a building project.
"Monica," he said, "why did Prestige Luxury Motors charge my personal account ninety-six thousand, eight hundred dollars?""
She blinked.
"Because it's our money.""
"Our money?""
"Your money is my money, Daniel. We've been married for four years.""
"That on a building project.
"Monica," he said, "why did Prestige Luxury Motors charge my personal account ninety-six thousand, eight hundred dollars?""
She blinked.
"Because it's our money.""
"Our money?""
"Your money is my money, Daniel. We've been married for four years.""
"That doesn't answer my question.""
Kayla lowered her keys.
"Dad, Mom said you wouldn't mind.""
He didn't look at her.
"Did I authorize this purchase?""
Monica straightened her shoulders.
"I was going doesn't answer my question.""
Kayla lowered her keys.
"Dad, Mom said you wouldn't mind.""
He didn't look at her.
"Did I authorize this purchase?""
Monica straightened her shoulders.
"I was going to tell you.""
"When?""
"Tonight.""
"After spending nearly a hundred thousand dollars?""
"It was an opportunity. The dealership had the exact model Kayla to tell you.""
"When?""
"Tonight.""
"After spending nearly a hundred thousand dollars?""
"It was an opportunity. The dealership had the exact model Kayla wanted, and I didn't want her to lose it.""
Dad's jaw tightened.
"Then you should have called me.""
I stepped forward.
"Dad, there's something else.""
He turned to me immediately.
"What is wanted, and I didn't want her to lose it.""
Dad's jaw tightened.
"Then you should have called me.""
I stepped forward.
"Dad, there's something else.""
He turned to me immediately.
"What is it?""
"She sold my Honda, too.""
For a moment, he looked as though he hadn't understood.
"Your Honda?""
"The car I bought with my own money. I came home, and it was gone. Monica told me she sold it it?""
"She sold my Honda, too.""
For a moment, he looked as though he hadn't understood.
"Your Honda?""
"The car I bought with my own money. I came home, and it was gone. Monica told me she sold it and used the money for something more useful.""
Dad stared at Monica.
"Is that true?""
She lifted her chin.
"Emily doesn't need and used the money for something more useful.""
Dad stared at Monica.
"Is that true?""
She lifted her chin.
"Emily doesn't need a car as much as Kayla does.""
"That wasn't my question.""
"I made a practical decision for the family.""
"You sold my daughter's car without asking her?""
Monica's voice rose.
"Daniel, you are making a car as much as Kayla does.""
"That wasn't my question.""
"I made a practical decision for the family.""
"You sold my daughter's car without asking her?""
Monica's voice rose.
"Daniel, you are making me sound like a criminal! I was managing household priorities.""
"How much did you get for the Honda?""
She hesitated.
That me sound like a criminal! I was managing household priorities.""
"How much did you get for the Honda?""
She hesitated.
That hesitation was enough to make Dad's eyes narrow.
"Monica.""
"Eleven thousand dollars.""
My heart sank.
I had bought the Honda for $12,400 after saving hesitation was enough to make Dad's eyes narrow.
"Monica.""
"Eleven thousand dollars.""
My heart sank.
I had bought the Honda for $12,400 after saving for two years. It had been worth considerably more than eleven thousand, even with its scratches and aging air conditioner.
"You sold for two years. It had been worth considerably more than eleven thousand, even with its scratches and aging air conditioner.
"You sold it for eleven thousand?"" I whispered.
"It was a fair offer," she snapped.
"Who bought it?""
"I don't remember.""
"You don't remember who paid it for eleven thousand?"" I whispered.
"It was a fair offer," she snapped.
"Who bought it?""
"I don't remember.""
"You don't remember who paid you eleven thousand dollars?""
Dad held up one hand.
"Enough.""
The word cracked through the driveway.
Monica fell silent.
He looked back at his phone, and you eleven thousand dollars?""
Dad held up one hand.
"Enough.""
The word cracked through the driveway.
Monica fell silent.
He looked back at his phone, and then his brow furrowed.
"That's impossible.""
I stepped closer.
"What is it?""
He turned the screen toward me.
A banking notification then his brow furrowed.
"That's impossible.""
I stepped closer.
"What is it?""
He turned the screen toward me.
A banking notification glowed beneath the transaction for Kayla's SUV.
*BANK ALERT: NEW SECONDARY PURCHASING PROFILE ACTIVATED — EIGHT MONTHS AGO.*
Dad read it twice.
"I never opened this account.""
Monica's face went pale.
Kayla looked from one adult to the other.
"What does that mean?""
Dad tapped the notification glowed beneath the transaction for Kayla's SUV.
*BANK ALERT: NEW SECONDARY PURCHASING PROFILE ACTIVATED — EIGHT MONTHS AGO.*
Dad read it twice.
"I never opened this account.""
Monica's face went pale.
Kayla looked from one adult to the other.
"What does that mean?""
Dad tapped the notification. Another screen appeared, showing an account profile, a series of recent transactions, and a confirmation that a purchasing authorization had been activated eight months earlier.
He stared at the details.
Then he looked. Another screen appeared, showing an account profile, a series of recent transactions, and a confirmation that a purchasing authorization had been activated eight months earlier.
He stared at the details.
Then he looked at his wife.
"Monica, why is your email address attached to a purchasing profile under my name?""
She took a step backward.
"Daniel, I can explain.""
"Then explain at his wife.
"Monica, why is your email address attached to a purchasing profile under my name?""
She took a step backward.
"Daniel, I can explain.""
"Then explain.""
Her mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Dad scrolled farther down.
His thumb stopped moving.
"Emily," he said quietly, "go inside and bring me the folder in my study marked PERSONAL FINANCES.""
Monica's head snapped toward him.
.""
Her mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Dad scrolled farther down.
His thumb stopped moving.
"Emily," he said quietly, "go inside and bring me the folder in my study marked PERSONAL FINANCES.""
Monica's head snapped toward him.
"Why?""
Dad lifted his eyes.
"Because if what I'm looking at is real, the car is the smallest"Why?""
Dad lifted his eyes.
"Because if what I'm looking at is real, the car is the smallest problem we have.""
Then his phone vibrated again.
He read the new notification, and the color drained from his face.
**SECONDARY PROFILE: THREE UN problem we have.""
Then his phone vibrated again.
He read the new notification, and the color drained from his face.
*SECONDARY PROFILE: THREE UNRECOGNIZED TRANSFERS DETECTED.*
He stared at Monica.
"How long have you been moving money out of my accounts?""
She whisperedRECOGNIZED TRANSFERS DETECTED.**
He stared at Monica.
"How long have you been moving money out of my accounts?""
She whispered his name.
He didn't answer.
For the first time in four years, my stepmother looked as though she was afraid of my father.
And I realized that selling my car might have been the least terrible his name.
He didn't answer.
For the first time in four years, my stepmother looked as though she was afraid of my father.
May you like
And I realized that selling my car might have been the least terrible thing she had done.
thing she had done.
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