Because it confirmed something I had been reluctant to accept: Holly wasn’t embarrassed that they had asked me for money. She was angry that I wanted to know where it would go.

I didn’t reply.

Instead, I called a small-business attorney Daniel recommended. Her name was Rebecca Shaw, and she agreed to meet with me that afternoon to discuss my options as a potential lender.

I explained the situation in plain language.

“My son says he needs fifty thousand dollars to save his company and prevent problems with his mortgage. He has provided some financial records, but I don’t understand several transfers.””

Rebecca reviewed the documents.

“Are you a shareholder in the business?””

“No.””

“Have you signed any personal guarantees for its debts?””

“Not that I know of.””

“Have you loaned the company money directly?””

“I transferred money to my son. I don’t know how he recorded it.””

She nodded and wrote something in her notebook.

“Before you provide additional funds, you need to establish whether the money would actually solve the problem. If the company is insolvent, another fifty thousand dollars may only delay the consequences.””

“What would you recommend?””

“First, obtain a complete account of the company’s obligations and assets. Second, don’t sign a guarantee or transfer money under pressure. Third, separate the question of whether your son needs help from the question of whether you can afford to provide it.””

I looked at the papers spread across her desk.

“And the payment to Sterling Lifestyle Consulting?””

“It’s worth investigating, but we cannot draw conclusions from a transaction label alone. Ask for the invoice, the contract, the identity of the recipient, and the business purpose.””

She paused.

“Ellena, I want you to understand something. You can love your son without financing every decision he makes.””

I left her office with a list of questions and a strange feeling of relief.

For the first time since Robert’s call, I had a plan that didn’t depend on guessing what he was hiding.

That evening, I invited Margaret to dinner.

We ate soup at my kitchen table while the rain tapped against the windows. I told her about the transaction and the attorney’s advice.

Margaret listened, then set down her spoon.

“Do you think Holly is stealing from him?””

“I don’t know.””

“Do you think Robert knows what’s happening?””

“I don’t know that, either.””

She nodded.

“Then that’s what you need to find out.””

I looked at the photographs on the shelf.

“I keep remembering him as a little boy. He wasn’t cruel. He wasn’t greedy. He was the sweetest child.””

“Children grow up, Ellena.””

“I know.””

“And sometimes they become people we don’t recognize.””

Her words hurt because they were true.

After dinner, I walked her to the door.

Before leaving, she turned back.

“Whatever happens, don’t let anyone convince you that protecting your future means you don’t love your family.””

I promised I would try.

At ten that night, Robert called.

His voice sounded strained.

“I checked with the bookkeeper.””

“And?””

“Sterling was a consulting firm Holly used for some personal financial planning.””

“Why was your company paying for her personal financial planning?””

“It wasn’t exactly personal. Some of it involved our household finances.””

“Then why was the payment recorded as a business expense?””

“Mom, I don’t know all the accounting details.””

“Can you send me the invoice?””

“I’ll look for it.””

“Thank you.””

He fell silent.

Then he said, “Holly thinks you’re trying to turn me against her.””

“I’m not trying to turn you against anyone.””

“She says you’ve always thought she wasn’t good enough for me.””

I looked toward the kitchen window.

“I wanted to get to know your wife. I wanted to be included in your lives. That isn’t the same as disliking her.””

“She thinks you resent the life we have.””

I almost laughed.

“The life you have is yours, Robert. I have my own life.””

“Then why do you keep asking questions?””

“Because you asked me for fifty thousand dollars.””

He said nothing.

I softened my voice.

“Robert, I’m not your enemy. If your business is in trouble, I want you to find a way through it. If you’ve made mistakes, I want you to have the courage to face them. But I won’t send money into a situation I don’t understand.””

He whispered something I couldn’t quite hear.

“What was that?””

“Nothing.””

“Robert—”

“I said I’ll send the invoice.””

Then he ended the call.

I sat down at the kitchen table and looked at the two copies of the transaction summary.

For the first time, I wondered whether Robert was afraid of losing his company.

Or whether he was afraid of what I might discover if I kept looking.

At 11:43 p.m., an email notification appeared on my laptop.

It was from Robert.

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