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.