"Your father was in debt. The company was struggling. We had bills, creditors, and a family to support. He wanted to leave everything behind."
Emily shook her head.
"That's not what this says."
"Legal documents don't tell the whole story."
"Then tell me the whole story."
Vanessa walked toward the kitchen.
"Not now."
Emily followed her.
"Did Dad transfer his company to you?"
"Yes."
"Did he give up his ownership?"
"He signed the agreement."
"Why?"
"Because he was financially irresponsible."
"Then why did he write that he was protecting me?"
Vanessa turned sharply.
"Because your father always knew how to make himself look like a victim!"
Emily stared at her.
"Was there money for my education?"
Vanessa didn't answer.
"Mom?"
"Yes."
"Where is it?"
Vanessa looked away.
Emily felt something inside her collapse.
"Where is it?"
Vanessa placed her coffee cup on the counter.
"The company needed money."
"That isn't an answer."
"We had expenses."
"What expenses?"
Vanessa's voice became cold.
"Do you think maintaining this house was free? Do you think raising you was free? Do you think I didn't sacrifice anything?"
Emily looked around the kitchen.
The expensive countertops. The imported appliances. The designer furniture visible through the doorway.
She thought about her father's worn jacket.
She thought about his rented room.
She thought about the nights she had worked at the grocery store because her mother had told her there was no money available to help with university expenses.
"Did you spend the money?"
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"I used the resources available to me."
Emily stepped back.
"You used the money Dad left for my education?"
"Don't be dramatic."
"Did you?"
Vanessa raised her voice.
"Your father signed everything over to me! I was entitled to manage it!"
Emily looked down at the agreement.
There was a paragraph requiring that the education account be maintained separately.
The money was not intended for general household expenses.
She had read enough to understand that.
"That wasn't what he agreed to."
Vanessa said nothing.
Emily picked up the documents.
"I'm going to see a lawyer."
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"With what money?"
Emily looked at her mother.
For the first time, she didn't feel intimidated.
"I'll find a way."
That afternoon, Emily visited her father's rented room.
Daniel was surprised when she arrived.
He had just finished repairing a small electrical appliance for a neighbor. His hands were covered in dust.
"Sweetheart? Is everything okay?"
Emily held up the documents.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Daniel looked at the papers.
His face changed.
"Where did you find those?"
"In the storage room."
He sighed.
"Your mother kept them?"
"She kept everything."
Daniel sat down.
Emily remained standing.
"Tell me what happened."
He looked at the chair across from him.
"Please sit."
Emily sat.
Daniel placed his hands together.
"Your mother and I started having financial problems when you were around eleven. The company had lost a major contract, and we had several debts."
"Was the company failing?"
"No. Not at first. But we were under pressure."
"Then why did you give it to her?"
Daniel looked toward the window.
"Because Vanessa said she could save it."
Emily frowned.
"How?"
"She had connections. She believed she could secure better contracts and manage the finances more efficiently."
"Did you believe her?"
"I wanted to."
He paused.
"More importantly, I wanted you to have a stable home."
Emily's eyes filled.
"Did she tell you she would keep the education money?"
"Yes."
"Did you believe her?"
Daniel nodded.
"I had no reason not to."
"Did you know she never funded the account?"
Daniel looked confused.
"What?"
"The agreement says she was supposed to establish an education account. There is no record of the money being deposited."
He became very still.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Then he looked at his daughter.
"Are you sure?"
"I checked the documents."
Daniel leaned back.
He seemed to be struggling with the information.
"Maybe she used it to pay the debts."
"But she said she spent it on the house."
Daniel closed his eyes.
He didn't look angry.
He looked tired.
That somehow hurt Emily more.
"Why didn't you fight for the company?" she asked.
Daniel gave a small, sad smile.
"I did."
"What?"
"I tried to challenge the agreement. But your mother had already taken control of the records. I couldn't afford a long legal battle."
"You could have told me."
"You were twelve."
"You could have told me later."
Daniel looked at her.
"Your mother said you were doing well. She said you were happy. She told me you didn't want to see me."
Emily shook her head.
"She lied."
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"I know that now."
"Why didn't you come anyway?"
He was silent for a long time.
Then he answered honestly.
"Because I was afraid of making things worse."
Emily looked at him.
"How?"
"Your mother threatened to take legal action if I contacted you directly. She said she would accuse me of harassment. She said she would make sure I could never see you again."
"Did she have the right to do that?"
"I didn't know. I couldn't afford a lawyer, and I was already struggling."
He rubbed his hands together.
"I thought if I stayed away, you would at least have a peaceful childhood."
Emily began crying.
"That wasn't peaceful."
Daniel looked at her.
"I know."
"I waited for you."
"I know, sweetheart."
"I thought you didn't love me."
His face crumpled.
He reached for her hand.
"I am so sorry."
Emily shook her head.
"You shouldn't have had to choose between being my father and being allowed to stay in my life."
Daniel couldn't answer.
She leaned forward and hugged him.
For a long time, they remained that way.
Then Emily pulled back.
"Dad, there's something else."
"What is it?"
She placed another document on the table.
It was a financial statement dated several years after the transfer.
A company name appeared at the top.
Carter Electrical Services.
Daniel stared at it.
"Where did you get this?"