Harper shook her head slowly. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t think so. Why?\u201d Grandpa exhaled, the anger in his face settling into something quieter and more deliberate. \u201cBecause 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.\u201d Harper felt her stomach tighten. \u201cI never received anything. No letter, no account information, nothing.\u201d Grandpa lowered his eyes for a moment before nodding. \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what I was afraid of.\u201d Without another word, he pushed away from the kitchen counter and headed back toward the dining room, Harper close behind, her pulse racing.<\/p>\n
The conversation stopped the instant they entered. Grandpa looked directly at Roger. \u201cWhere\u2019s the paperwork for Harper\u2019s trust account? The one your mother and I created when she was nine.\u201d Roger\u2019s confident expression vanished, replaced by unmistakable panic. \u201cI… we had to use some of it. Things got difficult. We planned to replace it.\u201d Harper\u2019s mother immediately tried to explain, but Grandpa silenced her with a raised hand. \u201cYou charged your daughter rent to live in your basement while spending the money meant to secure her future.\u201d His voice hardened. \u201cThat isn\u2019t hardship. It\u2019s theft.\u201d Before anyone could answer, Grandpa reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a sealed envelope, and placed it on the table. \u201cThen perhaps someone should explain why I received this from the credit union yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
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