Harper shook her head slowly. “No, I don’t think so. Why?” Grandpa exhaled, the anger in his face settling into something quieter and more deliberate. “Because eleven years ago, your grandmother and I established a trust for you and Paige, funded partly through that credit union. It was meant to help pay for your first apartment or college tuition once you turned eighteen. Your father was named as the temporary custodian until you requested access.” Harper felt her stomach tighten. “I never received anything. No letter, no account information, nothing.” Grandpa lowered his eyes for a moment before nodding. “That’s exactly what I was afraid of.” Without another word, he pushed away from the kitchen counter and headed back toward the dining room, Harper close behind, her pulse racing.

The conversation stopped the instant they entered. Grandpa looked directly at Roger. “Where’s the paperwork for Harper’s trust account? The one your mother and I created when she was nine.” Roger’s confident expression vanished, replaced by unmistakable panic. “I… we had to use some of it. Things got difficult. We planned to replace it.” Harper’s mother immediately tried to explain, but Grandpa silenced her with a raised hand. “You charged your daughter rent to live in your basement while spending the money meant to secure her future.” His voice hardened. “That isn’t hardship. It’s theft.” Before anyone could answer, Grandpa reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a sealed envelope, and placed it on the table. “Then perhaps someone should explain why I received this from the credit union yesterday.”