I got up and held my glass of champagne after the cake was served and Lily had opened her birthday presents. Grinning, I said, “I’d like to make a toast,” as everyone gathered around me.
I responded, pointing to the tiny movie I had made as a unique surprise for the birthday girl, and using the remote to start it. The words “Happy Birthday, Thief!” illuminated on the screen. As the video of Lily slinking into the living room and stealing the money played, gasps erupted from the audience. The disbelief in the room was reflected in her shocked expression.
“Lily, is this true?” With wide eyes, Josh enquired.
She exclaimed, “I can explain!” “I didn’t mean for it to go this far!”
“How could you?” posed by Josh. “And I watched you try to frame Emma by placing those hairpins. How were you able to get so low?”
“Why, Lily?” Emma enquired from her chair. “What did I ever do to you?”
Lily wept, unable to respond. Tension was thick in the room. Ethan took a step forward and spoke firmly. “We no longer trust you, Lily. This is how you pay us back for accepting you into our family?”
Lily’s eyes glazed over as she peered around. “I’m truly sorry,” she apologized. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“What did you use the money for?” Ethan made a demand.
Lily raised her hands slowly. “My nails,” she murmured. “And to get coffee and food…”
I was astounded by what I had heard. Josh said, “I can’t stay married to someone I no longer trust,” to Lily, who started crying again. Although there was a lot of backlash, it strengthened the bonds throughout our family. How would you have responded in that situation?
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