I thought hearing all of this might stir something in Isabel and her family. Some flicker of gratitude. Some acknowledgment.
All I saw was their expressions growing colder.
As if everything I'd done was simply expected. Not even worth mentioning.
Arnold rolled his eyes.
"No money? Then borrow some. Aren't you some big-shot project director? Skim a little off the company funds—no one would even notice. Just put it back later."
"Or better yet—when your parents died in that car accident, didn't you get a massive insurance payout?"
My head snapped toward Isabel.
One month ago, my parents had been killed in a car accident. I was the sole beneficiary of their life insurance.
I'd been drowning in grief. I'd planned to set that money aside as an education fund for my daughter.
I'd only ever told one person about that money—and that person was Isabel.
I never expected her to turn around and tell Arnold.
My hands trembled.
Something told me they were hiding more from me.
"That money is for my daughter's education. I will never touch it!"
The color drained from my daughter's face when she heard me.
She tugged hard at my sleeve.
"Dad, I don't have to go to school!"
"But you have to buy Uncle Arnold a house!"