I barely slept that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I kept seeing my missing pocket watch. "I'll find it," I whispered to myself.
My back ached from sleeping on the thin blanket.
Poppy had somehow climbed on top of me during the night. I moved her soft, warm body, as she purred from sleep.
My fingers drifted into my pocket, seeking the only proof that yesterday hadn't been a fever dream.
The envelope was still there. Crumpled a little from the way I'd been lying on it all night.
The money I made yesterday, before everything fell apart. I didn't even have the energy to take it out last night.
I pulled the money out and walked to the small plastic drawer in the corner of the room.
Inside it sat a small metal box.
My savings box.The only place in the house I thought was safe. Every time I got paid, I added whatever I could.
Eight months of saving, of skipped meals…..telling myself just a little longer.
I sat cross-legged on the floor and opened the lid.
Then I froze.
The box was empty.
I reached inside, shook the box. No folded bills, or coins. Just… empty metal.
I dropped to my knees and started searching the room.
I started throwing things everywhere. My breathing became shaky. "I've been saving this for almost a year…"
My hands trembled as I checked the box again.
There were only two people who could have done this.
My chest tightened.
I stood up slowly and walked out of the room.
My stepmother and Kane were in the living room. Just like always. Like they hadn't moved since yesterday.
The living room TV was on.
My stepmother sat on the couch with her morning coffee.
Kane sat beside her scrolling through his phone.
I stood there quietly. "Did any of you go into my room?"
My stepmother didn't even look at me.
"No good morning?"
I swallowed. "Good morning."
She took a sip of coffee. "Better. Since you lack manners now."
Kane raises his head. "What room?"
"The room I sleep."
"Ohhh…that garbage you call room." He scoffed and kept pressing his phone.
"…Did either of you take any of my belongings?"
Now she looked at me, slowly. Her eyes narrowed. "What did you just say?"
"My savings box is empty."
My voice started shaking. "I've been saving that money for almost a year."
I stepped closer, and turned to Kane. "If you took it… please give it back."
Her face darkened instantly. "So now you're calling us thieves?"
"No I…"
"Wow."
She slammed her cup down. "After everything I've done for you."
My chest tightened. "I didn't say anyone stole it. I'm just asking if you've seen it."
"Your dead mother abandoned you," she snapped suddenly.
My hands clenched. "Don't talk about my mom like that."
Kane snorted from the couch. "Or what? You will go cry on her grave?"
I didn't answer.
My stepmother leaned forward slowly. "We gave you a place to stay. We feed you."
"I feed myself." My hands shook.
"We tolerate you. And now you're accusing us of stealing?"
"I didn't say that…"
"Oh please."
She scoffed. "You might as well have."
My hands clenched slowly. "My money is gone."
Kane dropped his phone, and glanced at ne from head to toe. "Maybe you lost it."
"I didn't lose it."
"Maybe one of your shady friends stole it."
"I don't have shady friends."
"Oh really?"
My chest tightened. "I checked everywhere." I sniffled back tears. "Kane…..did you take it?"
Kane tilted his head, pretending to think. "Hmm."
He leaned back against the couch. "What would you do if I said yes?"
My chest tightened. "Just give it back." I softened my voice. "Please."
He watched me for a second. Then laughed. "I didn't take it."
My shoulders dropped slightly, until he added….
"I just didn't see why you should keep it."
My stepmother raised an eyebrow. "Where did all that money come from?"
"I worked for it."
She laughed. "Please. Doing what? Cleaning toilets?"
"You know what your problem is, Eli?"
I stayed silent. "You act like the world owes you something."
Her crossed her arm, staring at me. "Your mother is dead. Your father barely tolerates you. And you're still living in my house."
Why does she have to remind me every day?
"If you hate it so much," she continued, "then leave."
My voice cracked. "You know I was saving to move out."
She laughed, mockingly. "You?"
"You'll be thirty before you save enough for rent."
Kane smirked. "Assuming anyone even wants to live with a freak like you."
"Please…" I said quietly. "That money was also for my tuition. I've been saving it for months."
My stepmother rolled her eyes. "Then maybe you should have hidden it better."
Kane grabbed a bag of chips, abd chewed with his mouth opened. "You should sell that stupid cat of yours instead."
My head snapped toward him. "Leave Poppy out of this."
He shrugged. "What? That useless furball eats more than you contribute."
My hands clenched. "She's not bothering anyone."
"Yeah," Kane scoffed. "Just another stray you dragged into the house."
What an odd thing to say! Poppy was never a stray!
From down the hallway, Poppy meowed faintly.
Suddenly…
The news channel logo flashed across the TV screen.
BREAKING NEWS: DONOVAN GALA DRAMA
Footage of last night appeared. "Last night at the Donovan family gala, a heated confrontation occurred between heir Dylan Donovan and a young staff member identified as Eli…"
My stomach dropped.
Kane looked up. "Oh shit."
The screen showed the mansion.
Then…my face, and Dylan grabbing my wrist.
"Witnesses say the confrontation escalated when Dylan Donovan accused the young man of stealing.."
"I didn't steal anything," I said quickly.
Kane burst out laughing. "Oh my God!"
My stepmother covered her mouth in shock. "Wait… is that you?"
They both stared at the screen.
Then at me. "You got caught trying to freeload off rich people?"
"I didn't freeload!"
"You're clearly a gold digger," my stepmother snapped. "Your father must hear this news."