“I’m the one paying for it.”
The entire patio fell silent.
Even the kids holding sparklers froze.
When the Truth Finally Came Out
“She’s joking,” my father said quickly.
“No,” I replied, finally meeting his eyes.
“I’m not.”
Then I told them the truth.
He had canceled my college fund before I even got accepted.
Because of a B in Chemistry.
Aunt Lisa stared at him.
“You canceled her education over that?”
“That wasn’t the only reason—”
“It was,” I said quietly.
“But honestly? I’m glad. I’d rather be in debt than be managed like a project.”
Cousin Jordan muttered, “That’s insane.”
Aunt Lisa shook her head slowly.
“The one thing my sister asked before she died was that Lacey’s education be taken care of.”
She looked straight at my father.
“And this is how you kept that promise?”
For the first time in years, he had nothing to say.
PART 7 — THE FINAL CONFRONTATION
The Argument in the Kitchen
Later that night I went into the quiet kitchen for a drink.
The counter was sticky from lemonade spills and melted popsicles.
My father followed.
“That was completely out of line,” he hissed. “You humiliated me.”
I turned slowly.
“No,” I said.
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