Caring for my mum was difficult enough, not to mention the tension with my sister. The accusations came when valuables started disappearing. I thought I knew who was to blame, but the truth shattered my world. Betrayal came from where I least expected it, forcing me to reevaluate everything – and everyone I trusted.
I was scrubbing the kitchen cooker after another tiring day of work, the light smell of bleach lingering in the air.
The more time I spent cleaning my mum’s house, the angrier I became at my little sister Jane. She seemed to have completely forgotten that this was also her mother.
It wasn’t the first time for Jane. She had been careless at school – running away, taking money from Mum’s purse, skipping classes. But no matter what, she was always forgiven.
Her intelligence seemed an excuse for her shortcomings. She graduated with honours, won a scholarship and became the family’s golden daughter.
Now Jane only came to see Mum when she needed something – or maybe to remind Mum of her existence, to keep her in her will. And I was facing the reality of Mum’s illness.
I hired a caregiver, Nancy, but couldn’t afford her full-time. After long shifts at work, I took care of Mum on my own.
I asked Jane to help, but she always waved me off. ‘I’m busy at work,’ she’d say.
But I knew she had been unemployed for months. I had a job, a husband, and a son who needed me too.
‘Violet!’ – Mum called out from her room. Her voice was harsh, almost panicked. ‘Violet, come here!’
‘Coming, Mum!’ – I replied, wiping my hands on a towel. I walked into her bedroom and saw her standing next to her dressing table, holding a jewellery box.
‘My gold earrings are missing,’ she said, her voice trembling.
‘Are you sure you didn’t put them somewhere else?’ – I asked, stepping closer.
‘No. I haven’t touched that box in a while,’ Mum replied. ‘I wanted to get you something special, but when I opened it, the earrings were gone.’
‘Has anyone come round today?’ – I asked, frowning.
‘No. Nancy was on her day off,’ Mum said. ‘Only Jane stopped by this morning. She just wanted to check on me.’
‘I’ll ask Jane about it,’ I replied.
‘Don’t,’ Mum said firmly. ‘Jane didn’t steal. I don’t want you and her to fight again.’
‘I’ll be careful,’ I promised. ‘I just have to ask.’
After Mum went to bed, I drove to Jane’s house. My irritation had reached a fever pitch. I knocked on her door and waited. It took a while, but finally she opened.
‘Hi Sister,’ Jane said, stepping aside to let me in.
‘Hi,’ I replied coldly, looking around her living room. Empty delivery boxes and tools were scattered everywhere.
‘What do you do?’ – I asked, pointing at the mess.
‘Just some stuff for work,’ Jane replied. ‘But you didn’t come here to talk about it, did you?’
‘Mum’s gold earrings are missing,’ I said bluntly.
Jane crossed 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 becoming harsh.
‘Maybe because you’re broke. Maybe because you need money for something stupid. Take your pick,’ I said sharply.
‘I have a job! Do you even know how much I’ve done for this family?’ – Jane replied.
‘You haven’t done anything! I’m taking over everything!’ – I shouted.
‘I told you to hire someone full time for mum, but you didn’t!’ – Shouted Jane.
‘Because I would have to pay for it!’ – I shouted.
‘You don’t know what’s really going on,’ said Jane.
‘Then tell me!’ – I demanded.
‘Why? You’re going to blame me for everything anyway!’ – She said, turning away. ‘Go away. I’m tired of this.’
‘Okay,’ I said, slamming the door shut.
When I got home, Kaden was putting on his coat.
‘Where are you going?’ – I asked.
‘Just for a walk,’ my husband said, kissing my cheek. ‘Sweet’s asleep. Dinner’s in the fridge.’ Then he walked out, leaving me in silence.
Kaden was a homebody. We decided it was the best choice for our family. I spent most of my time either working or caring for my mum, leaving little time for anything else.
Milo needed stability, and Kaden being at home gave him that. Despite his busyness, Kaden often helped with Mum. He never complained, and I was deeply grateful for that.
Over the next few weeks, Mum continued to complain that things were disappearing.
At first I thought she was just confusing things, but then I started to notice it myself. Little things – jewellery, souvenirs – went missing.
It always happened on the days Jane visited her. My irritation turned to anger. How could she be so selfish?
I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I drove to Jane’s house, determined to talk to her face to face.
Jane opened the door and stepped aside, crossing her arms. ‘Come to accuse me of stealing again?’ – She asked, her voice harsh.
‘Mum lost more stuff,’ I said, trying to speak calmly.
Jane raised an eyebrow. ‘And you think I took them? Why would I do that?’
‘Because that’s what you’ve always done! You’ve done it before, and I know you need the money!’ – I replied.
Jane’s face turned stony. ‘Why don’t you ask your husband what it means to need money?’
‘Don’t bring Caden into this!’ – I shouted. ‘He’s the only one who actually helps me!’
Jane snorted. ‘If you’re so sure, call the police. Go ahead and do it.’
‘Maybe I will!’ – I shouted. Without waiting for a reply, I walked out, slamming the door shut.
Instead of calling the police, I decided to install security cameras at my mum’s house.
I went to the shop, picked out a set of cameras and came back, determined to catch whoever was taking her stuff.
When I entered the house, I was surprised to see Nancy. Her shift had ended hours ago.
‘What are you doing here?’ – I asked, setting the box of cameras on the table.
‘Jane said she’d pay me for the extra hours so you could get some rest,’ Nancy replied, wiping her hands on a towel.
‘That doesn’t sound like her,’ I said, squinting my eyes.
‘Why not? She’s done this before,’ Nancy said, looking puzzled. ‘She asked me not to tell you.’
I looked at her carefully, not knowing what to say. It didn’t match the image of Jane I’d painted for myself, but I couldn’t argue with what Nancy had said.
I took the cameras and started setting them up in the living room and in Mum’s bedroom.
When I finished, I noticed a stack of new medical bills on the kitchen cooker. I flipped through them and felt a lump in my throat. The amounts were huge.
‘Nancy!’ – I called out. ‘Do you know anything about these bills? They weren’t here before.’
Nancy came over and looked at the papers. ‘Oh, they come every month. Jane usually pays them.’
Her words shocked me. I began to think it was all some kind of joke.
A few days later, Mum called me from her room, her voice anxious. ‘My gold ring is missing,’ she said.
I felt my stomach twist. It was time to check the security cameras. I hadn’t told anyone about them-not even my mum-so whoever was taking the stuff didn’t know it had to be hidden.
I sat down at the kitchen table with my laptop and started going through the footage. My heart beat faster as I rewound hours of notes.
Then I saw Jane. She was in Mum’s room, standing next to the dressing table. I leaned closer, sure I’d caught her.
She opened the jewellery box and looked inside. My anger flared. But then she closed the box and left without taking anything.
Relief was replaced by horror when the next tape showed Kaden.
I watched in mute amazement as he walked over to the jewellery box, took my mother’s gold ring and put it in his pocket before walking away.
I froze, unable to comprehend what I was seeing. I’d been blaming Jane for weeks, only to find out I’d been a mistake all along. My husband – my partner – was a thief.
I took the notes and drove home, my head spinning. When I returned, Caden was already putting on his coat, preparing to go out again. I stood in front of him, blocking the door.
‘I know everything,’ I said, my voice shaking.
He looked confused. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I know what you stole from my mum,’ I said, holding up the flash drive.
His face went pale. ‘Jane told you?’ – He asked, his voice shaking.
‘What, no! Why would Jane tell me?’ – I asked, my feelings mixed between rage and bewilderment.
Kaden sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair. ‘Because I borrowed money from her. When she found out why, she stopped giving me money. She even offered to pay for rehab, but I refused. Then she caught me taking your mother’s jewellery.’
I felt a punch in my stomach. ‘I can’t believe it!’ – I screamed. ‘Why? Why did you lie to me and steal from my family?’
‘I started gambling. I thought I could pay the money back, but I lost it all. The debts grew faster than I could handle them. I took the money to pay off old debts,’ he admitted, his voice shaking.
‘How could you?’ – I shouted. ‘I thought you were spending time with Milo, that you were the father he needed. Instead you spent my money, Jane’s money, and Mum’s stuff!’
‘I didn’t mean to hurt anyone,’ Kaden said quietly.
‘And yet you didn’t stop me from blaming Jane,’ – I said, my rage peaking. ‘You let me attack her while you were in hiding.’
‘I know. I’m ashamed of that,’ Caden said, lowering his eyes. ‘I’m ashamed.’
‘I want you to leave,’ I said firmly.
‘You want a divorce?’ – He asked, his voice barely audible.
‘I don’t. What I do know is that I can’t look at you anymore. Pack your things tomorrow while I’m at work. I’ll text you when I’m ready to talk.’
He nodded slowly, tears standing in his eyes. ‘I’m so sorry, Violet. I love you and Milo very much,’ he whispered before he left.
As soon as the door closed, I collapsed, tears streaming down my cheeks. After checking on Milo’s sleep, I went to Jane’s.
When she opened the door, I could barely speak. ‘I’m sorry,’ I breathed out, tears streaming down my cheeks.
Jane instantly put her arms around me.
‘And thank you,’ I said through my sobs. ‘For everything. Even for helping Caden.’
‘I didn’t do it for him,’ Jane said quietly. ‘I did it for you, Violet.’
‘Please forgive me,’ I begged.
‘It’s okay. I’ll always be here for you,’ Jane said, hugging me tightly.
