Daddy's Empty Promises

Synopsis

It was the last day of the month, and I was glaring at my banking app like it was holding my money hostage. My available balance mocked me: a pathetic 95 dollars. My roommate, Wendy, twirled in front of our full-length mirror in a brand-new sundress. "Emma, how obsessed are we with this dress?" "Love it," I forced a smile, my eyes darting right back to my screen. Dad had called last night and promised he'd wired my allowance so I wouldn't have to survive on dining hall pizza. I could hear that familiar, bone-deep exhaustion in his voice, but he'd sounded so sure. "Just sent it over, kiddo. One thousand and five hundred bucks. That gonna be enough?" "More than enough. Don't push yourself too hard at work, Dad," I'd replied, my chest tight with a mix of guilt and warmth. But now? That balance hadn't budged a single cent.