Stepmom’s Secret: How I Stood Up for My Sister’s Stolen Christmas Money

When Joan settled in for a relaxing movie night with her younger sister, she anticipated an evening filled with fun and closeness. What she didn’t expect was a startling revelation. Beverly confided that their stepmother, Sophia, had secretly taken her Christmas money. Determined to confront the deceit, Joan decided to reveal the truth in a way no one would ever forget.

“Let it go, let it go!” Elsa was singing, and Beverly was singing along with her, her little voice rising and falling with happiness. When I looked over at her, she was huddled up against me on the couch, holding her favorite blanket.

When I returned home for the Christmas break, it was the first time that we had a moment of peace and quiet, and I was taking it all in.

“Still your favorite movie, huh?” As I teased her, I did so by ruffling her blonde hair.

It was a giggle. “Always.”

Although Beverly was only eight years old, she had already gone through a lot. For a period of time, Dad and I were the only members of our family after Mom went away two years ago. After then, Sophia appeared. No, she was not malicious or anything; she was simply icy. When her father was present, she would grin, but when it was just the two of us, her patience began to wear thin. The fact that Beverly remained behind after I had departed for college a year later was the thing that did me in.

Now, however, we were sitting here, watching her favorite movie for the one hundredth time possible.

“Did you have a good Christmas?” In an effort to appear unassuming, I inquired.

She gave a resounding nod of approval. “Oh, you’re right! I was given a doll by my father. Sophia presented me with pencils.

“Pencils?” I did a frown.

“Yeah,” she responded with a low shrug. It’s the kind that twists and turns. They are not in danger.”

It was a slight ache in my chest that I felt. As for Grandma and Grandpa, what about them? What about Aunt Liz? “Have they not provided you with anything?”

“They gave me money,” she continued, slightly lowering the volume of her voice.

I cracked a grin. “That is really incredible, Bev! What are you going to purchase?”

As she rummaged through the hem of her blanket, her face contorted into a fierce expression. “I don’t have it anymore.”

“What do you mean?” As I came closer, I inquired.

The volume of her voice fell to a whisper. It was taken by Sophia. Apparently, I already had an excessive amount of presents. Because Christmas dinner was so expensive, she put it toward the purchase of groceries.

I experienced a flipping of my tummy. Hold on. Is that all there is?

She gave a slight nod. “I had three hundred dollars, but Sophia said I wouldn’t spend it right anyway.”

I was fixated on her. It’s my younger sister. This is three hundred dollars. Used up.

Who was it that gave you the money, Bev? Are you the one who did the counting?

The sum of one hundred dollars was given to me by my grandmother, my grandfather, and my aunt Liz. Before we returned home, we went to Grandma’s house and counted things there.

“And then Sophia took it?” When I asked, I made an effort to maintain a steady tone.

Beverly murmured, “She said she’d hold it for me, but I never got it back,” as she looked down at her hands. “I never got everything back.”

I felt my blood begin to boil. How was she able to? That an adult woman would accept money from a child of eight years old and call it “groceries” is incomprehensible.

“You’re sure she used it for Christmas dinner?” I exerted pressure.

“She said she did, but I saw her bag from the mall.”

My fists were clamped shut. I was filled with a mixture of anger and disbelief within my thoughts.

“I am grateful to you, Beverly, for informing me. I am so sorry that this took place. Do not be concerned, all right? It is going to be taken care of by me.

When she looked up at me with her large eyes, she queried, “How?”

I mustered up a smile. As you will see. Put your faith in me.

I was awake and stared at the ceiling that night as I laid in bed. I couldn’t just ignore this and let it go. If I were to address Sophia by myself, she would either outright deny everything or turn it around. No, I required assistance. I was in need of witnesses.

I texted my father the following morning.

Tomorrow, before I go back to school, will you be able to join me for a family supper together? For the very last time, I believe it would be good to get everyone together.

It sounds fantastic! “Let me take care of it,” he responded.

I smiled, my strategy beginning to take shape. Sophia would be completely oblivious to the situation.

In the dining area, the warm light from the candles was glowing. Gold ribbons, pinecones, and glittering ornaments of various kinds were scattered across the table, which was covered with leftover Christmas decorations. At this point, everyone had eaten their meals, and the aroma of baked ham and apple pie continued to linger in the air.

The joke that Grandpa was telling caused Dad to chuckle out loud as he sat at the head of the table. As she sipped her coffee, Grandma, who was seated next to him, attempted to fix her glasses. Sophia appeared to be arrogant as she conversed with Aunt Liz about her “excellent holiday sales finds.” She was sitting across the table from her. At that moment, she appeared to be perfectly at peace, as if nothing could ever disrupt her idyllic little world.

I gave Beverly, who was sitting next to me, a quick glance. At the same time as she was swinging her legs under the table, she was holding a cookie in her hands. Due to the warmth of the room, her cheeks had a reddened appearance.

The time has come for this.

I tapped my fork against the glass for a moment. Then I smiled and said, “Hey, everyone,” in an effort to catch their attention. “Before we wrap up, can I share something?”

I became the focus of everyone’s attention as the room fell silent.

Dad responded, “Of course, sweetheart,” as he leaned forward in his chair.

In an effort to comfort Beverly, I reached over and gave her shoulder a light squeeze. “So, you all know how much Beverly loves riding her scooter, right?”

It was Grandpa’s laugh. “She’s always zipping around on that thing!”

“Well,” I added, “she has been planning on purchasing a bicycle for quite some time.” Something a little bit quicker, perhaps with a basket for her dolls’ collection.”

Beverly offered a timid smile.

“And what do you think? For Christmas, Beverly received a significant amount of money that she can use to assist her in purchasing one. All of you, Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Liz, were so kind and generous. As I waited for that to register, I paused. “But the weird thing is… Beverly doesn’t have the money anymore.”

The smile on Sophia’s face became frozen. As she gripped her coffee cup, her fingers became stiff.

“What do you mean?” His brow furrowed as he asked the question.

I maintained my level of focus. I was informed by her that Sophia had taken it. Each and every three hundred bucks.”

Except for the small clinking sound that Grandpa made as he placed down his fork, the room slipped into complete silence.

A uneasy laugh came out of Sophia’s mouth. “Sorry, Joan, but that is not quite accurate. But Beverly was unable to comprehend—”

“She understood everything perfectly,” I interrupted, maintaining a stern tone of voice. “She told me you said she had too many presents already and that you’d use the money for ‘groceries.'”

The color of Sophia’s face changed. That’s not right at all! A portion of it was utilized for the Christmas meal. Is it possible for you to have any notion how much hosting costs? And after all that hard work, didn’t I find myself deserving of a short break? It is only right that I gave myself a day at the spa and some candles when I deserved it!

“Did Dad ask you to use Beverly’s money for dinner?” I responded with a shot.

Father gave a long shake of his head, his visage becoming more stern. “No, I did not do it. Do you believe this, Sophia? Do you have Beverly’s Christmas money in your possession?

She stutteringly spoke. “I did not take it,” she said. I was able to borrow it. I was making preparations to return it!

Grandma’s voice was piercing and cut. You had spent money that did not belong to you. Your own actions. How dare you do that?

Despite her overconfidence, Sophia broke down. Beverly was the target of her pointing. She’s not even an adult yet! She would not have spent it in a prudent manner. All I was doing was making sure that money was put toward something that would be of some benefit.

“Useful?” I repeated, unable to believe it. How about treatments in a spa? Or about those opulent candles?

“I said I’d put it back!” The tone of Sophia’s speech became more trembling and defensive.

“Enough!” The loudness of Dad’s words stifled the entire room. With a change in expression, he switched his attention to Beverly. To my sweetheart, I am so sorry that this took place. That money was rightfully yours, and it ought to have remained by your side.

When he turned his gaze back to Sophia, his tone was icy. On this very evening, you are going to repay every single dime. It makes no difference to me whether it comes out of your savings or your next paycheck; Beverly will make sure that she gets her money back. Are you able to comprehend what I am saying?

When Sophia realized there was no way out of the situation, she opened her mouth, but then she closed it again. She gave a curt nod, her face appearing pallid.

“And let me make it perfectly clear,” Dad added before saying. We will not continue in this manner if something similar occurs again. “Do you really comprehend?”

Sophia murmured, “Yes,” as she stared down at the food she was eating.

Under the table, I gave Beverly’s hand a bit of a squeeze. As Sophia sat there, defeated, she did not take a single glance at anyone else.

Still, I wasn’t finished. “Beverly already knows what she’s buying, don’t you?” My words came out as I winked at her.

She gave a slight nod. “A pink bike with a basket.”

Grandma flashed a grin. “We’ll go shopping tomorrow, sweetie.”

Sophia remained silent while the conversation continued, her face as scarlet as the tablecloth. The conversation continued. Everyone was aware of the fact that she had been exposed.

I was greeted by Beverly bouncing on my bed when I woke up the following morning. “Joan! ” Awaken your senses! “It’s true that you promised!” she said, her enthusiasm illuminating the entire room.

I made a loud and dramatic groan. It is what time, right? The sun has just begun to rise!

“It’s bike day!” she said as she dragged me out of bed by my hand at that same moment.

Following breakfast, my father gave me the entire sum of $300. “This is money that I have saved up. He turned to Beverly and said, “Take Bev shopping and make sure she gets everything she wants.” Beverly was satisfied with his words. “This is your money, and it’s time you enjoy it.”

Beverly clenched her fists over the cash, her eyes shining with excitement. “Thank you, Daddy!”

We were there for a considerable amount of time. It was the most beautiful pink bicycle that Beverly could find, complete with a white basket and tassels that matched. In addition to that, she made certain that it was equipped with a bell and a helmet. She used the money that was left over to purchase a doll that she had been eyeing as well as a massive art kit.

At the same time that we were loading everything into the car, she questioned, “Do you think Sophia is mad?”

“Maybe,” I said in an honest manner. She had no authority to take your money, yet she did it anyway. And at this point, she is aware that she cannot get away with it.

When I got back to the house, my father took me aside. Please accept my gratitude, Joan, for taking Beverly’s side. Despite the fact that I should have sensed something was off, I placed too much trust in Sophia. Things like that won’t occur again.”

With a soft voice, I said, “She is your wife.” It’s fine to put your faith in her, but I’m relieved that you’ve now seen the truth.

That evening, Sophia’s father sat her down and demanded that she pay back the money that had been taken from her savings. It was a forceful statement that he made, “This is your one and only warning.” Should you ever betray this family once more, we will never forgive you.

Sophia apologized in a submissive manner, but her trademark arrogance was absent.

As I watched Beverly ride her brand-new bike down the driveway, her bubbly laughter filling the air, I was certain of one thing: the feeling of justice was a pleasant one.

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