Dad shook his head slowly, his face hardening. “No, I didn’t. Lenna, is this true?
Did you take Mina’s Christmas money?”
Lenna stammered, her confidence crumbling.
“I—I didn’t take it. I just borrowed it.
I was going to pay it back!”
Grandma’s voice, usually soft, was icy. “You spent money that wasn’t yours.
On yourself.
How could you?”
Lenna’s smugness vanished. She pointed at Mina. “She’s just a kid!
She wouldn’t have spent it wisely.
I was making sure it went to something useful.”
“Useful?” I echoed, voice full of disbelief. “Like spa days?
Or fancy candles?”
“I said I’d pay it back!” Lenna’s voice shook, almost shrill. “Enough!” Dad’s voice boomed, silencing the room.
He turned to Mina, his face softening.
“Sweetie, I’m so sorry this happened. That money was yours, and it should’ve stayed yours.”
He looked at Lenna, tone cold. “You’re paying back every cent tonight.
I don’t care if it’s from your savings or your next paycheck.
Mina gets her money back. Clear?”
Lenna nodded stiffly, her face pale.
“And let me be clear,” Dad added, voice firm. “If this happens again, we’re done.
Understand?”
“Yes,” Lenna whispered, staring at her plate, defeated.
I squeezed Mina’s hand under the table. Lenna wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes, her shame clear. But I wasn’t done.
“Mina knows exactly what she’s buying, don’t you?” I said, winking at her.
She nodded, a small, happy smile growing. “A pink bike with a basket.”
Grandma smiled warmly.
“We’ll shop tomorrow, sweetie.”
The talk slowly moved on, but Lenna stayed quiet, her face red with shame. She was exposed, and everyone knew.
The next morning, Mina bounced on my bed.
“Saria! Wake up! You promised!” she squealed, her excitement filling the room.
I groaned playfully.
“What time is it? The sun’s not even up!”
“It’s bike day!” she said, pulling me out of bed with her small but strong hands.
After breakfast, Dad handed me a stack of bills—$300. “This is from my savings.
Take Mina shopping and make sure she gets everything she wants,” he said, smiling at Mina.
“This is your money, and you should enjoy it.”
Mina hugged the bills, eyes shining. “Thank you, Daddy!”
We spent happy hours at the store. Mina picked a bright pink bike with a white basket and tassels.
She got a loud bell and a sturdy helmet too.
With the extra money, she bought a doll she’d wanted forever and a fun art kit. “Is Lenna mad?” she asked as we loaded her treasures into the car.
“Maybe,” I said honestly. “But she had no right to take your money.
Now she knows she can’t do that again.”
Back home, Dad pulled me aside.
“Saria, thank you for standing up for Mina. I should’ve noticed something was wrong, but I trusted Lenna too much. That won’t happen again.”
“She’s your wife,” I said softly, giving a small smile.
“It’s normal to trust her, but I’m glad you see the truth now.”
That evening, Dad made Lenna pay back the money from her own savings.
“This is your only warning,” he said firmly, voice flat. “If you betray this family again, we’re done.”
Lenna mumbled a quiet apology, her usual smugness gone.
The air around her felt heavy with defeat.
