Then I shut the laptop and took Lucas to soccer practice.
By the next morning, it was everywhere.
The follow-up article dropped.
“Business Owner Under Investigation for Misuse of Funds.”
This time, my dad’s name was front and center.
I didn’t even have to share it.
Everyone in town did that for me.
Tyler texted me at noon.
“He’s losing it. He thinks Melissa leaked something. Mom’s crying. It’s chaos.”
I didn’t reply.
At work, I kept my head down.
My promotion had come with a small private office, and I spent that day focused on spreadsheets and reports, calm, efficient, composed.
But inside, I felt something I hadn’t in years.
Freedom.
That evening, I came home to a stack of voicemails.
Mom.
Melissa.
Even Dad again.
I didn’t listen to any of them.
I just sat down with Lucas and helped him build his new Lego set.
