Chapter 7

On the fourth morning, Lily purposefully set her smartwatch on my desk. "Mom, if Dad calls me again, should I answer?"

I pushed the watch back toward her. "You can answer if you want, or not if you don't."

She looked down and fastened the strap. "What if he asks me to persuade you?"

"You can tell him it's an adult matter."

She made a mental note, looking serious.

I sent her to the school gate, where her teacher was already waiting.

I texted her teacher last night, letting her know that some family stuff might affect Lily's mood and asking her to look out for her.

Ms. Collins was a young teacher. She didn't pry, just said, "Mrs. Pierce, I'll keep an eye on Lily at school. If any kids start talking, I'll take care of it."

"Thank you," I said.

Just as I was about to leave, a woman's voice came from nearby. "She doesn't deserve to be a mother. I can't believe she posted videos all over the internet. And of course, her kid gets talked about."

I turned my head.

It was Wyatt Parker's mother.

Lily had told me yesterday that Wyatt was the one who brought up the hotel thing to her classmates.

Mrs. Parker crossed her arms, looked me up and down, and then glanced at my bag. "You shouldn't air your dirty laundry for everyone to see. If you're really so tough, get a divorce. Stirring up drama online every day is pathetic."

Ms. Collins frowned. "Mrs. Parker, please be mindful of where you are."

I stared right at Mrs. Parker. "Your son was gossiping about my family yesterday."

Her face went rigid. "Kids don't know any better. They parrot what grown-ups say."

"So now I'm talking to the adult who is his parent." I pulled out my phone. "If you keep talking about my family issues in front of the kids, I'll keep the evidence and won't hesitate to get the law involved."

She couldn't hide her discomfort. "Are you threatening me?"

"I'm not threatening you. I'm letting you know."

Ms. Collins quickly stepped in to defuse the situation, gently pulling Mrs. Parker aside.

As I walked away from the school, I pushed down any lingering doubts for good.

Staying silent wouldn't protect Lily. It would let others make up stories about her.

When I got home, Anna sent me a transaction record.

She said, [You mentioned the apartment payment yesterday, so I went through the documents you gave me. Turns out, part of the down payment for the apartment Charles bought last year actually came from your joint account.]

I opened up the spreadsheet.

On March 17th last year, $ 290,000 was transferred from our joint account.

The note read: [Family finances.]

Three days after that, the down payment for an apartment under Kinsley's name was made.

The amounts matched exactly.

I'd discovered this in my previous life, too.

Back then, all I did was blast Charles online for using our joint money to keep another woman.

Then he sued me, saying Kinsley's parents paid for the apartment, and it had nothing to do with him.

I couldn't come up with solid proof, so I ended up being accused of spreading rumors.

This time, I asked Anna, "Can I sue to get the money back?"

"We can get ready for it. First, we need to trace the whole money trail. And remember, don't go public with it yet," Anna replied.

I stared at the line showing 290,000 dollars.

It meant so much more than a number.

It was money my mom left me after she died, a safety net for Lily and me.

Charles said he was moving it for a short-term investment.

I told him not to take any big risks that day.

Thinking about it, I let out a bitter laugh.

God, how stupid was I.