Chapter 4: The Family Finally Speaks
News traveled quickly.
By morning, everyone in the family knew.
Some defended Sarah.
Most didn't.
Then someone unexpected arrived.
Their father.
Eighty-two years old.
A retired school principal who rarely raised his voice.
He walked into Sarah's living room carrying only one envelope.
He placed it on the table.
"What is this?" Sarah asked.
"The deed."
She frowned.
"You said this house would always stay in the family."
"It will."
He looked at me.
"I'm transferring it."
Sarah laughed nervously.
"You can't be serious."
"I already signed the papers."
Her smile disappeared.
"I gave you this house because I believed you understood responsibility."
He looked toward the basement door.
"I was wrong."
She reached for his arm.
"Dad..."
He stepped away.
"You didn't lose this house because of one mistake."
He paused.
May you like
"You lost it because you never accepted responsibility after making it."
He walked out without looking back.
