Sophie Already Knew Where the Money Had Gone

She ended the call.

For several minutes, she simply stood in the middle of campus.

Then one image came into her head.

Her brother Ryan’s wedding.

It had happened only two months earlier.

And it had been enormous.

A lakeside venue.

More than 180 guests.

Open bar.

Live band.

Custom flowers.

A professional fireworks display.

Three days before the wedding, Sophie had jokingly asked her father how Ryan could afford it.

Her father had laughed.

“You only get married once.”

At the time, she hadn’t questioned it.

Now she opened her family group chat.

She scrolled backward.

Venue photographs.

Dress fittings.

Hotel reservations.

Her mother’s messages about upgrading the reception package.

Then she called Ryan.

He answered cheerfully.

“How’s college?”

“Did Mom and Dad pay for your wedding?”

A pause.

“Some of it.”

“With what money?”

“What?”

“My college fund, Ryan.”

Silence.

Then:

“I don’t know anything about your college fund.”

Sophie believed him.

At least at first.

Then he added:

“Mom said Grandma wanted all of us to benefit from the money.”

Sophie closed her eyes.

There it was.