Chapter 2 - THE PRICE OF FAMILY
That night, I sat at my mother’s dining table while she served me the most expensive meal she could find in town.
Steak.
Red wine.
Imported cheese.
Three different desserts.
Four years ago, when I left for Canada, Elaine had cried at this same table.
“Daniel,” she had said, holding both my hands, “we are family. If you don't help us, we'll lose everything.”
So I had gone.
I worked twelve-hour construction shifts through freezing Canadian winters. I slept in a tiny rented room with two other men. I sent money home every month.
At first, it was five hundred dollars.
Then one thousand.
Then, when my accident settlement became possible, I sent even more.
Every time I called, my mother told me the same thing.
“Lily is doing well.”
“She misses you.”
“She’s eating.”
“The house is fine.”
But now I knew the truth.
My wife had been sleeping beside a shed.
She had been eating leftovers.
Her head had been shaved.
Her phone and documents had been taken.
And someone had left bruises around her wrist.
Across the table, Marcus poured himself another glass of wine.
“So,” he said casually, “when does the million arrive?”
I looked up.
“Why?”
He laughed.
“Because you said you got a settlement.”
“I did.”
“That means the money is coming soon.”
“It already came.”
The room went silent.
My mother nearly dropped her fork.
Marcus leaned forward.
“How much?”
I took a slow sip of water.
“All of it.”
“Where?”
“In my account.”
Marcus exchanged a glance with Elaine.
My mother smiled.
“That’s wonderful, sweetheart. You deserve it after everything you’ve suffered.”
I smiled back.
“So do you.”
Her eyes brightened.
“I knew you understood.”
“I understand a lot more than I used to.”
For a second, her smile froze.
Then she recovered.
“Daniel, we need to talk about Lily.”
I leaned back.
“What about her?”
“She has become impossible.”
Marcus nodded.
“She stopped cooperating.”
“She refused to work,” Elaine added.
“She was disrespectful.”
“She stole food.”
“She was lucky we let her stay.”
I listened.
Every lie.
Every accusation.
Every excuse.
I let them talk.
Because every word they spoke was being recorded.
My watch was connected to the phone hidden inside my pocket.
But I didn't need to reveal that.
Not yet.
Then Marcus said something that made my stomach turn.
“You know what the problem with Lily is?”
“What?”
“She thought she was your wife.”
I stared at him.
He laughed.
“I mean, legally, sure. But you weren't here.”
Elaine sighed.
“She should have understood her position.”
I slowly placed my fork down.
“What position?”
My mother looked confused.
“As part of this family.”
“No,” I said quietly. “What position?”
Marcus shrugged.
“She was dependent on us.”
“Because I sent money.”
“Exactly.”
I looked toward the kitchen.
Through the open doorway, I could see Lily standing there.
She was holding a tray.
Her hands were trembling.
My mother noticed her.
“Put that down.”
Lily obeyed.
Marcus pointed at her.
“See? That's what I'm talking about. She doesn't respect anyone.”
I looked at Lily.
“Come sit with us.”
She froze.
My mother immediately snapped.
“She eats in the kitchen.”
I turned toward Elaine.
“Why?”
“Because she doesn't belong at this table anymore.”
Lily lowered her eyes.
I stood.
“Then neither do I.”
Marcus frowned.
“What?”
I walked over to Lily.
I pulled out a chair.
“Sit.”
She hesitated.
“Daniel…”
“Sit.”
She did.
I sat beside her.
My mother stared at us.
Then I reached into my pocket.
I placed a small envelope on the table.
Marcus leaned forward.
“What is that?”
“An investment proposal.”
His expression changed immediately.
“From whom?”
“A private development group.”
“How much?”
“Eight million.”
Marcus almost choked.
My mother leaned forward.
“What does that have to do with us?”
“Nothing.”
I smiled.
“But you asked me what I owed this family.”
Nobody spoke.
“So tonight, I'm going to find out.”
Marcus frowned.
“What are you talking about?”
I stood.
“I want every receipt.”
“For what?”
“Every dollar I sent home.”
Elaine stiffened.
“Why?”
“Because I want to know where my money went.”
Marcus laughed.
“You don't trust us?”
“No.”
Silence.
Then Lily whispered beside me.
“Daniel…”
I looked at her.
“What?”
Her lips trembled.
“There is something you need to see.”
She glanced toward the hallway.
“Before they find out I still have it.”
My heart stopped.
“What?”
She reached beneath her sweater.
And pulled out a tiny plastic key.
May you like
Then she whispered four words.
“They never found the ledger.”
