Chapter 13
“An emergency?” Amalia raised an eyebrow as she handed Izzy glass of water. “In the middle of the night? Izzy, I Why would he call you in the middle of the might knowing you are on a break? Can’t he find someone to help him out? In the past few months, you’ve been flying in and out of the country for his business. Why don’t you take a break for a week or two? Look at you losing all that weight because of your job. If your mother knew that-
Irry took the glass and nodded quietly, choosing to ignore the rest of her aunt’s words. She had heard of these words for more than a thousand times and if she didn’t know what she knew now, she might have believed her aunt’s concern was
In the end. Amalia was exactly like her daughter. Two faceil
Still, she wondered how could someone like her aunt lie with a straight face? Somehow this made her wonder what else her aunt was lying about, “I just came back to get my work laptop and some clothes. I’ll be gone for a few days.”
“That her aunt cleared her throat. “For how many days exactly? You do know that your birthday is coming, right? I already started planning things.”
“Actually, you don’t have to plan anything for my birthday,” Izzy said.
In the past, her aunt had always organized Izzy’s birthday, yet everything–from the cake and decorations to the lighting- was tailored to Monica’s tastes. Even Monica’s gown would outshine hers.
But Izzy hadn’t cared about those details before. Why would she? Her aunt had taken her in after her parents died–a debt she once believed she could never repay.
Now, Izzy sneered inwardly.
“How could you say something like that! It’s going to be the dayou turn twenty–six. I need you with me to go shopping for gowns and other things. You should clear your schedule for these things.”
“Gown shopping?” Izzy asked. The last time her aunt took her gown shopping had been a disaster. Amalia had picked out a premade gown that was two sizes too big for Izzy, while arranging for a tailor to customize a dress just for Monica. “You’re planning to host a huge event?”
“Of course! What are you even thinking? Did you know that your mother gave birth to you when she was twenty–six?
Izzy said nothing. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a birthday that was about her. She wondered what her aunt was trying to pull off this time. “Alright,” she said, while placing the glass on the counter. She knew that once Amalia starts talking about Izzy’s late mother, she would never stop. This conversation will end with Izzy trying to console her crying aunt. “I will get my things.”
“Right, Monica said the credit cards aren’t working. You should probably call the bank tomorrow.”
“I will,” Izzy said. She turned around but stopped when her aunt called her.
“Hold on.” Amalia’s voice softened, a gentle, almost motherly tone slipping into her words. “Hold on a second, Izzy,” she began, with a small, sympathetic smile. “Monica told me about the dinner tonight, It sounds like it turned into a bit of a… situation. You know how these things can be–when everyone’s out, celebrating, the bill can add up withou anyone realizing
Izzy froze, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. She had a feeling she knew where this was going.
Amalia continued, almost wistfully, “It was such a lovely idea of you to treat everyone. I know Monica was a little embarrassed when her cards didn’t go through, poor thing. Imagine how she must’ve felt… surrounded by her friends, everyone looking to her to handle things, and then… well, you know.”
Chapter 13
Izzy’s expression dalat hange, but inside she felt her patience being stretched thin. “I’m sure it was unexpected,” she replied coolly
“Oh, I know it was” Amalia nodded, sighing. “Monica’s heart was in the right place, you know? She’s never as organized as you, of course—never has been, bless her–but she wanted to do something special. I think it really got to her when she realized she’d have to dip into her savings. She’s worked so hard to set that money aside, and suddenly pooft Gone, just like that.”
Izzy suppressed an eye roll. “Savings are for emergencies, aren’t they?” she said with a faint smile, though she was far from amused. Monica had always been so proud of her “savings“-money she’d managed to set aside after constantly mooching off Izzy.
Amalia let out a soft laugh, looking at Izzy with an almost pleading expression. “Oh, you’re right, absolutely. But this was meant to be a special occasion, not a crisis. I know Monica doesn’t say it often, but she really does look up to you, Izzy. You’ve always been the stable one, the dependable one. This child has been trying so hard to follow in your footsteps.”
The guilt card was working overtime now, and Izzy recognized all too well.
“It’s just,” Amalia said, her voice softening even further, “I think it would mean the world to her if you could help cover the cost. You know, just this once. It’s only eight thousand dollars, and she’s learning so much from you about responsibility. Think of it as a small lesson, teaching her about support and family.”
Izzy took a deep breath, giving her aunt a neutral smile. “I think Monica will be fine. She’s always been resourceful in her own way. She managed to cover it tonight, didn’t she?”
for
Amalia’s face fell slightly, but she quickly recovered, tilting her head with a look of delicate disappointment. “Of course, Izzy. I understand. I just thought, as her big sister, you’d want to case her burden a little. Eight thousand isn’t easy someone like her to come by. But if you’re stretched thin right now. I completely understand. I can let her know not to count on you.
“Aunt Amalia, I’m really not following,” Izzy said, frowning. “This was Arianna’s invitation. I wasn’t told I’d be responsible for the bill. Was there some kind of misunderstanding?”
Amalia’s eyebrows rose. “What do you mean?”
“I thought Arianna was treating me,” Izzy replied. “Especially after I gave her a gift.”
“A gift?” Amalia asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Yes,” Izzy said casually. “She’d hinted about a Cartier bangle, so got her one.”
“A Cartier bangle?” Amalia’s expression shifted immediately, her eyes gleaming with interest. Just as Izzy expected, her aunt’s attention veered to the luxurious detail. Amalia had always been drawn to jewelry and designer goods, often using any extra funds to indulge herself under the guise of “cheering up.” Lzzy watched the shift with quiet satisfaction.
“Monica actually suggested I be generous,” Izzy added smoothly. “After all, Arianna just had a baby.” She smiled briefly “Anyway, the driver’s outside waiting for me, so I’ll just grab my things.” Not waiting for a response, she turned and strode down the hallway to her room, closing and locking the door behind her.
Once inside, Izzy moved quickly. She pulled out a suitcase, packing essential items for work, then went to her vault to retrieve a few valuables. She knew she couldn’t stay in this place any longer. If she wanted peace of mind, iwas time to g
The vault contained heirlooms from her parents and crucial documents she’d inherited at eighteen. Amalia had insisted on the vault “for safekeeping,” even knowing Izzy’s password, and though it had always felt unnecessary, Izzy hadn’t questioned it at the time.
Now, however, she froze. She opened the vault and stared in shock.
Some of her documents were missing.
Chapter 13
The deeds, the stock certificates–she had meticulously counted each one, securing her assets, but now, several were gone,
A chill ran down Izzy’s spine, her face turning pale as fragments of Amalia and Monica’s conversation from the other night surfaced in her mind. They’d spoken in low tones about a debt that urgently needed paying. Izzy’s frown deepened.
She’d assumed her aunt and cousin would never bother with documents, not in their own names, and the idea that they would steal from her vault had seemed absurd, as it would have been too obvious. But now, it was painfully clear that she had underestimated their greed.
She should have listened to her lawyer’s advice to place the doctinents in a bank vault. She should have been smart enough to secure her assets when she turned eighteen How naive, she thought, gritting her teeth
Realizing she didn’t have time to linger on these thoughts, Izzy quickly gathered the remaining documents and jewelry. carefully placing them in her suitcase. She changed the vault’s password without hesitation, securing what was left, then closed it firmly.
Without another glance, she left her room, walked briskly out of the mansion, and climbed into the waiting car. Settling in her seat, she gave Reno a single word, “Drive.”
SEND GIFT
