Still missing.
Ten grand. That’s not pocket change — that’s tuition. Textbooks. Housing.
With my palms clammy, I called Nora. She answered immediately.
“Hey, Dad,” she said. “I was just thinking of you. Jess and I are cooking ramen, and I remembered that time you dumped, like, half a jar of ginger in it!”
She sounded so cheerful. So ordinary.
“I need to ask you something,” I said. “Did you withdraw any money from your college fund?”
Silence. Not the pondering kind — the heavy, burdened kind.
“No… I didn’t,” she said quietly. “But…”
“But what?” I pressed softly.
“It was for Lila,” she said, voice breaking. “Sylvia said it was fine. She told me not to tell you. I gave her my login. I’m sorry.”
I went still. Lila? Sylvia?
I don’t even recall ending the call. I just stared at the screen, hoping the missing amount might reappear.
I went downstairs, dazed. Sylvia was at the kitchen counter, sipping wine, scrolling on her phone like everything was normal.
“We need to talk,” I said.
“If it’s about dinner, I’m leaning toward Thai takeout,” she replied. “Not feeling like cooking.”
“It’s not about food, Sylvia. It’s about Nora’s college money.”
She glanced up slowly.
“Oh, that.”
“You took ten thousand dollars. From her account. Without asking me.”
“She’s going to Australia. For that Supernatural convention. It’s been her dream forever. Flights, hotel, VIP passes… it adds up. We’re shopping this weekend too.”
“A fan convention?” I said evenly. “With college money?”
Sylvia rolled her eyes.
“She had plenty saved. What’s ten grand? You’re acting like it’s a disaster.”
That’s when something snapped inside me. Not loud. Just sharp.
“You didn’t ask me. Or Nora. You just took it.”
“She’s family. What’s Nora’s is Lila’s too.”
I was at a loss for words. Not because I had none, but because they wouldn’t have mattered. She didn’t care.
“She’s going to a state college,” Sylvia added. “It’s not like she’s heading to Yale.”
“She still deserves what we saved. Her mom and I planned that for her future.”
“She’ll manage,” Sylvia said, standing. “You’re blowing this out of proportion.”
No, I wasn’t. I was just finished.
“I hope Lila enjoys the trip,” I said. “Because her college fund? That’s finished.”
“What?” she blinked.
“I’m done supporting someone who thinks stealing is okay.”
“Stop it, Gideon!” she shouted.
“No. I’m standing up for what’s right.”
She stormed upstairs. Moments later, Lila came down, eyes wet with tears.
“You’re so cruel! This trip means everything!”
“You didn’t ask,” I said. “You just took it.”
“Mom said it was okay!”
“And you trusted her. Why not talk to me? You have your own fund. Why take from Nora?”
Sylvia jumped in.
“She has more saved. Lila’s is still building. She needed it.”
“I’m not starting a fight,” I said. “I’m just tired of pretending we’re a real family. You always sideline Nora and expect no one to notice. But I’m done.”
“Gideon—”
“No.”
That night, I slept in the guest room. I couldn’t share a bed with someone who’d betrayed my daughter.
Sylvia’s mom called the next day, offering to help repay it. She urged me to consider “the bigger picture.”
What bigger picture?
My daughter was robbed. My wife dismissed it. And now I was supposed to let it slide?
When Nora came home, she didn’t ask what happened. She already knew. Lila had probably told her.
Later, I found her on the porch. I brought her cake.
“I didn’t want to upset you, Dad,” she whispered.
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Nora,” I said.
“She made me feel bad… for having it. For saving. I’ll never forget how they looked at me.”
“You’re not selfish,” I assured her.
She nodded, uncertain. I held her hand like when she was small. She squeezed once and let go.
“Eat,” I said. “Your favorite.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Three days later, Sylvia cornered me. New nails. Red. Pointed.
“Are we really falling apart over money?”
“It’s not money,” I said. “It’s what it stood for.”
“You’re acting like I broke the law.”
“You hurt my daughter.”
“She’s not the only one who matters.”
That said it all. She’d never truly cared for Nora. Just put up with her.
“She matters to me,” I said. “She’s my everything.”
Sylvia scoffed. Grabbed a bag. Slammed the door.
I didn’t stop her.
Nora starts college soon. She still has enough. Just barely. But the hurt? That runs deeper than money.
Lila hasn’t spoken to me. Sylvia only texts about bills. No apology. No regret. Just silence.
And me? I sit on the porch swing. Even in the chill. I think about that missing money. Nora’s tears. Sylvia’s shrug. But I don’t regret a thing.
Some call it bias.
I call it being a father.