Chapter 4: The Price Beside My Name
Dad opened the next photograph.
“Eighty-four thousand dollars?”
Rachel reached for the tablet.
Claire pulled it against her chest.
“It isn’t what you think,” Rachel said.
Dad read the page again.
“R&E Family Services received eighty-four thousand dollars from Abigail’s trust.”
“For care expenses.”
“What care expenses?”
“Equipment.
Transport.
Consultations.”
Dad pointed toward my crutches.
“Those came through insurance.
I drive Abigail to therapy.
Show me one thing your company bought.”
Rachel folded her arms.
“You don’t understand the accounts.”
“Then explain them.”
“I don’t have to explain myself in front of children.”
Claire placed Rachel’s phone on the table.
“Explain it in front of me.”
Rachel stared at her.
“You’ve always disliked me.”
“I defended you for two years.”
“You smiled while she moved my plate,” I said.
Claire’s face crumpled.
She came closer but stopped before touching me.
“You’re right, Abigail.
I saw it, and I told myself Daniel would handle it.
I was a coward.”
Rachel scoffed.
“Don’t pretend you’re brave now.”
Claire pulled an envelope from her handbag.
“I was supposed to witness Daniel’s signature tonight.”
Dad took it.
“Rachel asked you?”
“She said it was an education grant.
Then I read the line about transferring medical authority.”
Rachel stepped forward.
“You promised you wouldn’t interfere.”
“No.
You told me Evan would never be invited here again if I refused.”
Evan pressed against his mother’s side.
Rachel pointed toward the door.
“Take him and leave.”
“This is my sister’s house too,” Dad said.
“It’s our house, Daniel.”
“Not if you’re using it to frighten children.”
Rachel’s phone rang in Claire’s hand.
The screen showed **Eric**.
“Is that the person who sent the message?” Dad asked.
Rachel reached for it.
“Don’t answer.”
Claire pressed the speaker button.
“Rachel?” a man said.
“Did he sign?
Hawthorne needs the original by morning.”
Dad leaned toward the phone.
“This is Daniel.
Who are you?”
Silence followed.
“Eric,” Rachel said sharply, “hang up.”
Dad read the company name again.
“R&E.
Rachel and Eric?”
Eric breathed into the phone.
“She said you knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That Abigail’s trust would pay us a management fee after placement.”
Rachel seized the phone.
“You idiot.”
Dad took it back.
“How much?”
Eric’s voice grew quieter.
“Thirty percent the first year.”
I tried to count thirty percent of a life, but I didn’t know how.
“You were selling my daughter’s place in this family,” Dad said.
Rachel’s eyes flashed.
“I was protecting our future.”
“She is our future.”
“She is your past with Sarah!”
Dad stepped back as if the words had pushed him.
Sarah was my first mommy.
I remembered her laugh more clearly than her face.
Rachel pointed at me.
“Every room in this house still belongs to her mother.
Every decision begins with Abigail.
There is nothing left for me.”
I held the edge of the table.
“So you wanted nothing left of me?”
For one second, Rachel said nothing.
Then she looked at Dad.
“Give me the photographs, and I’ll cancel the application.
We can fix this privately.”
“You took money from her.”
“I moved money for expenses.”
“You forged my approval.”
“Prove it.”
Claire lifted her own phone.
“I can.”
Rachel froze.
“You left me a voicemail yesterday,” Claire said.
“You said Daniel only needed to see the last page.”
“You misunderstood.”
“I saved every word.”
Rachel lunged for Claire’s phone.
Dad blocked her, and Evan pulled me backward.
“You’re all making a terrible mistake,” Rachel said.
“If you use that recording, I’ll tell the court Daniel has been neglecting Abigail’s care.”
Dad went still.
“What court?”
May you like
Rachel smiled.
“The one that issued me temporary guardianship this afternoon.”
