Chapter 2: The Money Behind the Birthday Cake
Marcus stood in the kitchen holding the folded paper.
The children had stopped talking.
Even Caleb seemed to understand that something serious was happening.
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Give me that.””
Marcus moved the paper away.
“Explain it.””
“It's nothing.””
“Then explaining it should be easy.””
He unfolded the notification completely.
It was a bank transfer confirmation.
Three weeks earlier, Marcus had transferred $5,000 into an account Vanessa managed.
The transaction description read:
*MAYA'S BIRTHDAY AND EDUCATION FUND.*
Marcus had made the transfer before leaving for a business conference in Chicago.
He had told Vanessa to use the money for Maya's birthday celebration, school supplies, and anything their daughter needed.
He had even sent her a message.
Make her birthday special. I don't want her feeling alone while I'm away.
Vanessa had replied with a heart emoji.
Now Marcus looked at the confirmation again.
“Where is the money?””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“I used some of it for household expenses.””
“How much?””
“Marcus, you're being unreasonable.””
“How much?””
She glanced toward the dining room.
“The party wasn't free.””
Marcus stared at her.
“Whose party?””
“Caleb's.””
The answer came out too quickly.
Marcus lowered the paper.
“You used Maya's birthday money to pay for Caleb's birthday party?””
Vanessa sighed.
“Don't twist my words. We are one family. Everything is shared.””
“Then why was Maya not allowed to eat?””
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
“Because she had been misbehaving.””
Maya sat quietly at the kitchen table.
She held her fork but hadn't taken another bite.
Marcus noticed.
“Sweetheart, you can eat.””
Maya looked at Vanessa.
Then at him.
“Is she going to be angry?””
Marcus crouched beside her.
“No one is going to punish you for eating cake.””
Maya took a tiny bite.
The chocolate frosting touched her lips.
For a second, she smiled.
Marcus felt something break inside him.
He stood again.
“Vanessa, we're going to talk in the study.””
She gave an irritated sigh.
“Not now. We have guests.””
“Now.””
Vanessa looked around at the children.
Then she leaned closer and whispered.
“You're making a scene over a little girl and a piece of cake.””
Marcus's expression became cold.
“A little girl who is your stepdaughter.””
“Exactly. Your daughter. Not mine.””
The words slipped out before Vanessa could stop them.
Marcus stared at her.
Maya heard them.
Her fork stopped halfway to her mouth.
Vanessa quickly added, “I didn't mean it like that.””
But the damage was done.
Marcus looked at the guests.
“I'm sorry, everyone. The party is over for today.””
A woman near the dining table gathered her handbag.
“Marcus, perhaps we should give you some privacy.””
“Yes. Thank you.””
Within minutes, the children were leaving with their parents.
Caleb began crying.
“My presents! I haven't opened all my presents!””
Vanessa hurried toward him.
“Don't worry, sweetheart. Mommy will fix everything.””
She turned toward Marcus.
“You've humiliated our son.””
Marcus looked at the cake.
“No. I gave his sister a slice.””
Caleb kicked the leg of a chair.
“I don't want her touching my cake!””
Maya immediately pushed her plate away.
“I'm sorry. I can give it back.””
Marcus turned toward her.
“No.””
“But Caleb is upset.””
“That's okay. He can be upset. You still deserve your birthday.””
Vanessa grabbed Caleb's hand.
“Come upstairs.””
As they walked away, Marcus heard her whisper something.
“Your father is always choosing her.””
Marcus watched them disappear.
Then he looked at Maya.
“Finish your cake, princess. I'll be right back.””
He entered the study and closed the door.
Vanessa followed him.
The moment the door shut, she dropped her pleasant expression.
“You have no idea how difficult this has been for me.””
Marcus placed the bank notification on his desk.
“Then tell me.””
“I'm raising two children. Caleb has needs. You travel constantly. I have to manage everything.””
“And Maya?””
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“Maya is difficult.””
Marcus leaned against the desk.
“She is seven.””
“She refuses to listen.””
“What did she do?””
“She cries whenever I correct her. She wants attention. She acts like everything is a tragedy.””
Marcus stared at her.
“Did you tell her I forgot her birthday?””
Vanessa said nothing.
“Did you?””
“I was trying to make her understand that you weren't coming.””
“You knew I was coming home today.””
“I didn't know your flight would arrive so early.””
Marcus picked up his phone.
“I sent you the itinerary.””
Vanessa's expression tightened.
“Fine. I shouldn't have said that.””
“And the money?””
She crossed her arms.
“I used it for the party.””
“Five thousand dollars?””
“The decorations, the cake, the food, the gifts. Everything costs money.””
“Then show me the receipts.””
Vanessa laughed.
“Are you serious?””
“Completely.””
“I'm your wife, Marcus. I shouldn't have to justify every dollar.””
“You were trusted with money specifically set aside for my daughter.””
“She lives in this house! She benefits from everything!””
Marcus looked at her for a long moment.
Then he asked a question that made Vanessa's expression change.
“Why was Maya wearing that dress?””
Vanessa glanced toward the door.
“What dress?””
“The gray one. It's too small.””
“She has plenty of clothes.””
“Then why was she wearing that?””
“She spilled juice on her other dress.””
“When?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“This morning.””
“Why didn't you give her another one?””
“She didn't need to look fancy. She was helping in the kitchen.””
Marcus slowly straightened.
“You dressed my daughter like a servant because you expected her to serve your guests?””
Vanessa slammed her palm against the desk.
“Stop saying that! She was helping!””
Marcus didn't raise his voice.
“I'm asking you one more time. Where is the money?””
Vanessa looked away.
“Some of it is still in the account.””
“How much?””
“Two thousand.””
“Where is the rest?””
“I paid some bills.””
“Which bills?””
Vanessa's silence answered him.
Marcus picked up his phone.
“I'm calling the bank.””
Her face went pale.
“You wouldn't dare.””
“Watch me.””
She rushed toward him.
“Marcus, stop! You're acting crazy!””
He stepped away.
“I trusted you with my daughter's birthday.””
“And I did what I thought was best!””
“You spent her money on another child's party and made her wash the dishes.””
Vanessa's eyes filled with angry tears.
“You have no idea what it's like living with a child who isn't yours!””
Marcus looked at her.
“Then you should never have agreed to become her family.””
He opened the study door.
Maya stood outside.
She was holding the birthday card.
“Daddy?””
Marcus's expression softened.
“What's wrong?””
Maya looked at Vanessa, then back at him.
“Can I ask you something?””
“Of course.””
“Did you really write that card?””
Marcus knelt.
“Every word.””
“Even the part about being your first little girl?””
“Especially that part.””
Maya's lower lip trembled.
“Then why did Vanessa tell me you didn't want to celebrate with me?””
Marcus pulled her into his arms.
“I don't know, sweetheart. But I am going to find out.””
Maya hugged him tightly.
Then she whispered something that made him go still.
“Daddy, I think she threw away my other presents.””
Marcus pulled back.
“What presents?””
Maya pointed toward the staircase.
“The ones you sent before.””
He looked at Vanessa.
“What is she talking about?””
Vanessa's face became expressionless.
“She is confused.””
Maya shook her head.
“No, I'm not.””
She reached into her dress pocket again.
This time, she pulled out a small photograph.
It showed a pink bicycle with a white basket.
On the back, Marcus recognized his own handwriting.
For my little princess. I hope we ride together soon.
He stared at the photograph.
He had bought that bicycle six weeks earlier and arranged for it to be delivered to the house.
But Maya had never mentioned receiving it.
“Where is the bicycle?”” he asked.
Maya looked toward the garage.
“Vanessa said it was for Caleb because he was better at riding.””
Marcus's eyes moved toward his wife.
Vanessa's face had gone completely white.
And then Maya said something even worse.
“Daddy, there was another box too. The one with the little silver bracelet. I saw her take it upstairs.””
Marcus slowly stood.
“Vanessa, what else did you take from my daughter?””
She backed away.
“Don't you dare accuse me of stealing.””
“Then let's go look.””
But Vanessa blocked the staircase.
“No.””
Marcus stared at her.
“Move.””
“Marcus, please. Not in front of the children.””
He looked past her.
“Then explain why you're so afraid of opening that bedroom closet.””
May you like
Vanessa didn't move.
And from somewhere upstairs, a small electronic alarm began beeping.
