“Your brother is the main earner for our future,” she said, finally lifting her eyes to mine.

“A family protects its primary earner, Emily, and Daniel is building something real.

Your salary comes in every two weeks like clockwork.

You don’t need that money just sitting in a vault.”

“There was seven thousand dollars moved on October 4 alone,” I said, reading the line item printed near the bottom of the page.

“Seven thousand dollars in one transaction.”

Mother rose, clutching her stack of napkins to her chest.