I was washing the kitchen counter after another long day at work, the faint odor of bleach hanging in the air.
The longer I spent cleaning my mother’s house, the angrier I felt with my younger sister, Jane. She seemed to have entirely forgotten that this was also her mother.
This was not unusual for Jane. She was careless at school, running away, swiping money from her mother’s pocketbook, and skipping classes. Regardless, she was always forgiven.
Jane graduated with honors, received a scholarship, and became the family’s favored kid.
Now, Jane only came to see Mom when she needed something—or perhaps to remind Mom of her presence so she would remain in the will. Meanwhile, I dealt with the reality of Mom’s illness.
I had hired a caregiver, Nancy, but I could not afford her full-time. After lengthy shifts at work, I took care of Mom by myself.
I had asked Jane for assistance, but she always brushed it off. But I knew she had been unemployed for several months. I had a job, a husband, and a son who also needed me.
“Violet!” Mom called from her room. Her voice sounded sharp and scared.
“My gold earrings are gone,” she said, her voice trembling.
“Did anyone visit today?” I asked, frowning.
“No. Nancy had the day off,” Mom said. “Only Jane came by this morning. She just wanted to check on me.”
“I’ll ask Jane about it,” I replied.
“Don’t,” Mom said firmly. “Jane wouldn’t steal. I don’t want you two fighting again.”
After Mom went to bed, I drove to Jane’s apartment.
My frustration had reached a boiling point. I knocked on her door and waited. It took a while, but she eventually opened it.
“Mom’s gold earrings are missing,” I said bluntly.
Jane folded her arms. “And you think I took them. Of course.”
“You were the only one who visited her today,” I said.
“Why would I take her earrings?” Jane asked, her tone sharp.
“Maybe because you’re broke. Maybe because you need money for some cr:azy stuff. Take your pick,” I snapped.
“Do you even know how much I’ve done for this family?” Jane fired back.
“You’ve done nothing! I’m the one taking care of everything!” I shouted.
She turned away. “Leave. I’m done with this.”
“Fine,” I said, slamming the door as I left.
When I arrived home, Kaden was putting on his coat.
“Just out for a walk,” my husband said, kissing my cheek. “Milo is asleep. Dinner’s in the fridge.” Then he walked out, leaving me in silence.
Kaden was an at-home father.
Over the next two weeks, Mom kept moaning about missing items.
Small belongings, such as jewelry and souvenirs, were gone.
It always happened on the days Jane came. My dissatisfaction developed into a rage. How could she be so selfish?
I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I drove to Jane’s house, prepared to confront her in person.
Jane raised an eyebrow. “And you think I took them? Why would I?”
“Because this is how you’ve always been! You’ve done this before, and I know you need money!” I snapped.
Jane’s face hardened. “Why don’t you ask your husband what it’s like to need money?”
“Don’t bring Kaden into this!” I shouted. “He’s the only one who actually helps me!”
Jane scoffed. “If you’re so sure, call the police. Go ahead. Do it.”
Instead of calling the police, I decided to install surveillance cameras at Mom’s house.
When I entered the house, I was sh0cked to see Nancy. Her shift ended hours ago.
“Jane said she’d pay me to work more hours so you could get some rest,” Nancy responded, wiping her hands with a dish towel.
Nancy said, looking puzzled. “She just asked me not to tell you.”
I took the cameras and started placing them up in the living room and Mom’s bedroom.
When I finished, I saw a stack of new medical bills on the kitchen counter. As I flipped through them, I felt a lump in my throat. The amounts were huge.
Nancy approached and looked at the papers. “Oh, they come every month. Jane usually pays them.”
A few days later, Mom called me from her room, her voice filled with anxiety. “My gold ring is gone,” she explained.
It was time to examine the security cameras. I hadn’t told anyone about them, not even Mom, so whoever was taking them would have no idea where to hide.
I saw Jane. She was in Mom’s room, standing near the dresser. I leaned in, convinced I had caught her.
She opened the jewelry box and peeked inside. But then she closed the box and walked away, not taking anything.
Several hours later, Kaden appeared.
I stared in startled silence as he approached the jewelry box, removed Mom’s gold ring, and slid it into his pocket before departing.
My husband, my partner, was the thief.
“I know you’ve been stealing from my mom,” I said, holding up the flash drive.
His face went pale. “Did Jane tell you?” he asked, his voice trembling.
“What? No! Why would Jane tell me?” I inquired, angry and perplexed.
Kaden sighed deeply and ran a hand over his hair. “Because I borrowed money from her. When she found out why, she stopped lending me more. She even offered to pay for rehab, but I refused. Then she caught me taking your mom’s jewelry.”
“I started gambling. I thought I could win it back, but I kept losing. The debts grew faster than I could handle. I borrowed more to cover the old ones,” he confessed, his voice cracking.
“Do you want a div:orce?” he asked, his voice barely audible.
He nodded slowly, tears in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Violet. I love you and Milo so much,” he whispered before leaving.
As soon as the door closed, tears streamed down my face. After checking on Milo, who was fast asleep, I drove to Jane’s house.
When she opened the door, I could barely speak. “I’m sorry,” I said, tears flowing down my face.
Jane drew me into a hug without hesitation.
