Chapter 4

"Yes, transfer it to Sophia's name. How can a girl get married without a house? Rayne has Jasper. No need to worry about her."

The day before departure, I went to my parents' house to get something. As I passed the study, I heard Dad on the phone.

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was crystal clear.

Exactly the same as what my future father had said. He was already processing it.

That house—the down payment of $800,000 was three years of my savings. The monthly mortgage of twelve thousand dollars, I'd been paying for three years.

I put it in his name because he patted his chest and said:

"Put it in Dad's name. In the future, it'll belong to both you sisters."

Now "both you sisters" had become Sophia alone.

I stood outside the study door, taking deep breaths.

I pushed the door open, pretending I hadn't heard anything.

Dad hung up the phone and smiled: "Rayne's here? You're really not coming with us tomorrow?"

"Can't get away from work."

He nodded without asking more and turned to open the closet to pack Sophia's suitcase.

Sophia came back from outside carrying a bag. She rushed into the study and acted cute toward Dad:

"Dad, look! Isn't it pretty?"

She pulled a bikini out of the bag. The tag was still attached.

Dad smiled: "Pretty, pretty. My daughter looks good in anything."

I stood beside them.

He didn't even glance at me.

That evening, Jasper came to the house for dinner.

During the meal, Sophia dropped her fork and bent down to pick it up.

Jasper bent down at almost the same time.

The two of them stayed under the table for two seconds before coming back up.

Sophia's ears were red, her eyes darting around.

Jasper nonchalantly served me some food with his fork:

"Baby, eat more. You'll have to take care of yourself these next few days."

I smiled and said okay.

After dinner, Mom pulled me into the kitchen and lowered her voice:

"Sophia told me she wants a new phone. Can you transfer her five thousand this month? She's too embarrassed to ask you herself."

"Mom, I just gave her three thousand last month."

Mom's face darkened:

"You make so much money. What's wrong with spending some on Sophia? You're getting stingier."

I made eighteen thousand a month after taxes. Mortgage: twelve thousand. Sophia's living expenses: three thousand. Year-end for my parents: twenty thousand.

"I'll transfer it to her later."

I said that line again.

Back at my own place, Sophia's dog had torn up my couch cushion. Cotton was scattered all over the floor.

I crouched down to clean it up. My phone buzzed with Sophia's message:

"Rayne, Mochi's nails need trimming. Can you take her to the pet store? My usual place charges $280 per visit."

I didn't reply.

I opened my photo album and recorded an audio memo of the property transfer call I'd overheard today.

Then I dialed my future father's video call.

The call rang three times before connecting.

Weak breathing came from the other end.

"Rayne, you called again."

"Dad, when exactly was the property transfer processed?"

He was silent for a long time.

"Right before your Hawaii trip during the holiday. I signed the papers."