After that day, she wouldn't even touch a gold sticker.
Keith tore the paper in half.
“Don't blow this up.”
I watched the torn pieces flutter to the floor.
“Are you afraid of the situation getting bigger, or are you afraid of your sister being humiliated?”
His expression hardened.
“Lucille is the victim here.”
“And Rose isn't?”
He said：“She's five. Admitting a mistake isn't going to ruin her life. Lucille's been through a divorce. If her reputation takes another hit, she's done.”
I looked at him.
“So Rose deserves this?”
Jane pulled Lucille into her arms.
“Lucille's never had it easy. She lost her father young, and her marriage fell apart. You're her sister-in-law. Would it kill you to give a little?”
I almost laughed.
Lucille had never had it easy, so my daughter deserved to be framed as a thief.
Keith pulled me toward the kitchen doorway.
“Just keep Mom calm. Her blood pressure's high. What if she actually gets sick?”
“Then call 911.”
“We are not calling the police.”
“Why not?”
He lowered his voice.
“You don't air family business in public.”
Those six words had broken my spine in the last life.
I said：“Keith, stealing isn't the family disgrace. Framing a child is.”
The color drained from his face.
“You're accusing Lucille?”
“I'm suspecting everyone who touched that backpack.”
“Including my mother?”
“Including you.”
He froze.
“Nellie, I'm your husband.”
“And you're Rose's father.”
He was quiet for a moment.
“The bracelet was in her bag. Let's just cover the cost first and talk to her at home.”
Lucille jumped in like she'd been waiting for exactly this：“I don't want money. But the bracelet got scratched, and it just... it hurts.”
Jane said：“Five thousand dollars. It's not much. Consider it a lesson.”
I asked：“A lesson in what?”
“A lesson in raising your child right.”
Rose sobbed：“Grandma, I didn't do it.”
Jane didn't even glance at her.
Keith took out his phone.
“I'll transfer it.”
I grabbed his arm.
“Don't you dare.”
“Nellie, stop being stubborn.”
“That's my money.”
Jane pulled a red folder from the cabinet.
“Fine, don't pay. Then sign a written promise giving Lucille a room in that new place you bought.”
I stared at the folder.
In my last life, the asset-stripping agreement had been inside the same one.
She'd had it ready all along.
“Jane, that's my house. I bought it. Why would I give her a room?”
“Lucille is my daughter. When I'm dead and gone, who's she supposed to rely on if not her sister-in-law?”
Keith frowned.
“It's just one room. Lucille's not going to fight you for the whole place.”
I looked at him.
“Are you willing to sign something guaranteeing that? That she'll never live in my house, never touch my money, never lay a hand on Rose.”
He snapped：“She's my sister. Why do you always assume the worst about her?”
I said：“Why do you always treat your own wife and daughter like we're worthless?”
Dead silence filled the living room.
Jane slapped me across the face.
Rose screamed：“Mommy!”
Lucille's ring light was still on.
I touched the corner of my mouth.
“Did you get a clear shot?”
Lucille's face went white. She killed the light immediately.
I didn't argue anymore. I picked up Rose and walked out.
Jane shouted after me：“You walk out that door tonight, don't ever come back!”
“Gladly.”
“Mommy, am I not allowed to go to kindergarten anymore?”
Rose sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the hem of her pajamas.
She held out her smartwatch to me.
“Bobby said his mom saw a video in the group chat. She said I'm a thief.”
In the family group chat, Lucille had posted a video of Rose crying.
