I had never expected praise. I’d only wanted basic respect. Instead, my brother mocked the career that paid those bills while using his own daughter to ruin my son’s birthday, because I’d refused to guarantee a luxury boat loan.

I opened the Aspen academy account. The tuition had been paid entirely with my money, and under the enrollment policy I could still transfer financial responsibility before the cancellation deadline.

I hesitated. None of this was Sailor’s fault; she’d simply trusted her father. So rather than cancel her enrollment, I called the academy.

A coordinator named Melanie answered. “I’m the payer,” I explained. “Family circumstances have changed. Can the account be transferred to the parent before cancellation?”

“Yes. We can send Mr. Embry a payment deadline. If he assumes the contract, Sailor’s enrollment stays active.”

“That’s what I want.”