Essie typed out a quick reply to her daughter.Do I want to look?
Probably not. But you should.
Essie glanced over her shoulder, into the house. There was no sign that Frank was awake yet. While she wasn’t hiding anything from him, shewastrying to protect him from this current situation.
She knew it would upset him. Before she and Frank had even gotten engaged, he’d talked to Sophie and Chad about how no one would ever replace their mother, but how he needed companionship and was tired of being alone.
His wife, Stacia, had been gone for nearly nine years. It wasn’t like the funeral had been yesterday.
Chad, the eldest, had been genuinely happy for them both and had stood as Frank’s best man. Sophie hadn’t come to the wedding, making up an excuse about how she’d already had a trip with her girlfriends planned.
Essie had no idea how to make the situation better and she was fast losing hope it was even possible.
Reluctantly, she opened TikTok and found Sophie’s channel, then looked for what she’d posted today.
Sophie was wearing a very short, pink, baby doll-style dress cinched under her breasts, which were on display. She’d paired the dress with platform stiletto heels. Her makeup was elaborate and sparkly, her platinum blond extensions done in braids that came down to her waist, where they were finished off with bows.
“I’m off to do a little shopping. What do you think of my outfit?” She did a slow spin, lips pouted. “I’d love to find some new dresses today because I really need cheering up.”
She stuck her lower lip out and came closer to the camera. “I think you-know-who is spending my father’s fortune, which means there won’t be anything left for me.”
Essie gasped. She wasyou-know-who. But she absolutely was not spending Frank’s money. Yes, he was a wealthy man. The paper company he’d inherited from his father madeexceptionally good money. In fact, they were opening a division in Italy.
On top of the business, he was a wise investor, but Essie had a substantial pension and had done some investing herself.
When her husband passed, she hadn’t needed the insurance money, so she’d turned a good portion of it over to her son, Albie, who’d gone heavily into cryptocurrency.
It wasn’t something Essie knew much about, but he’d more than doubled what she’d given him.
For Sophie to imply that Essie was spending all of Frank’s money was ludicrous. Anger rose up in Essie unlike anything she’d felt before. But what could she do? Tell Frank? He’d only get furious, too, and that wouldn’t be good for his blood pressure.
She was a smart woman. She could figure this out. She hoped.
What really bothered her was the thought that if Sophie was putting such things out in public, what kind of things was she saying to her father in private? Or maybe she wasn’t saying anything to Frank. Maybe she was funneling all of her vitriol into her social media.
Another text from Liliana.Did you look?
Yes. She’s unbelievable. Frank and I both came into this marriage with solid finances.
I know, Mom. You don’t have to justify anything to me.
I’m not justifying anything. When I want something, I use my own money!
I wasn’t implying you were doing otherwise.
Essie took a breath.I’m sorry. This has upset me.
I can imagine. You need to talk to Frank.
I can’t. It will only upset him.
Do you want me to do it? He doesn’t have to know you’ve seen it.
No! I?—
The door opened and Frank stepped out, a cup of coffee in his hand. “Morning, sweetheart.”
She tucked her phone next to her leg and smiled. “Good morning. How did you sleep?”
