Craig sauntered out of the police station, his mood as dark a storm cloud. The cops been riding him all day, and no matter how many times he to prove his relationship they just weren’t having it. Kylie’s side painted it like a simple loan, and he wasn’t about to hand back the cash in bank–no way. He Kylie was just left out. He’d been spending and time with and maybe Kylie was throwing in just to get her share of the spotlight. If she wanted him around, she could’ve just spoken up. mess only him further away. With Craig dialed Kylie’s number again. She was on the subway, heart still stinging from their encounter when she his pop up on her phone. After a answered. Craig was caught off that fast. But this made him confirm what he was just a scene and the spotlight. So said, “Hey, are I’ve all about work? I’m see you right now. years, and I’ve always got your back, right? company’s giving a bonus at the the year. 100 thousand and it’s all yours if you “My mom’s been you, and you know she’s been weather. love you, and everything I earn is for us. Kylie’s voice icy, her cutting through the line. “Craig, you need me back, or I’ll have to take it up with the lawyers. Craig stunned. “Wait, what’s on? this about money? Is our just about the cash?” Craig’s words upset Kylie. up, leaving Craig with his phone in hand, his expression darkening. “Kylie, what’s gotten into you? Are you trying push me away? I mean it!” He let out a sigh, knowing he to transfer the money now. he didn’t, things at could get even more complicated after the police visit. He’d find a way to get the back decided to let his deal this. Once the was done, he Kylie a message. [Honey, I’ve sent the money over. Don’t worry about my mom; I’ll figure out. you’re how take a trip this weekend?] Kylie’s phone buzzed with a notification, and found app update. daze, to transfer the bulk of it Amanda’s account, keeping just a sliver for herself. [Mom, this is from my summer gigs in college and the extras me. Figured you could use it more than me, texted Amanda. heart skipped a beat she saw the bank and then message. She dialing Kylie’s in a her voice carrying a hint of panic. “Sweetie, you your diploma and jobs. You should keep for yourself. I’m all set, your brothers sent more enough. I can’t take this you. Let return it. some fun, and buy something you love. don’t need it, really, Amanda insisted Kylie hear genuine concern in Amanda’s voice. She offered a reassuring smile on the phone. I’m good. You guys can use it more right now. I’m about to head underground, talk when come over in a few days. The call ended, Amanda was left with a mix of pride and concern–her daughter was trying to be helpful, but was definitely up. She figured this must be about the Lampard family. had to get the bottom of this. had never thought she’d out to but this was about Kylie. As mother, could when something wasn’t right. With a deep breath, Amanda pulled Julie’s number and made the call. Julie had saved number, but only because of Kylie. meant to delete it later had forgotten. Having Amanda her contacts was like a blemish on phone. Just about made skin crawl. Chapter 10 Julie answered with a curt, do you Amanda?” Amanda sensed the disdain in tone, her brow knitting response. “I’m calling to check Kylie. “Kylie?” voice dripped with superiority. “She’s handful, Disrespectful ungrateful. The painting she gave me for my birthday–tattered and claiming it was ancient. Please, it’s she poorly raised. Does she we’re clueless?” Julie scoffed, “We expect to as perfect Melanie, she’s making a fool of us. She’s even threatened run away. If she’s with you, she’s not welcome back unless she apologizes properly. Amanda’s eyes up with tears, body shaking. She known for her kindness and for keeping her words soft, but Julie belinle Kylie, her to Melanie and making her out to worthless, she reached her breaking point. Kylie is good Amanda said, her voice with emotion. “If leaving, you’ve pushed her to it. You’re the ones who should be apologizing” Hanging up, Amanda couldn’t hold back her tears. The Julie had spoken if she was worthless, broke her made way through the rows of curios Vintage Market, a hotspot for anything old–school. Toting a bulky she was carrying a piece of history–a she’d scooped up from the Lampard residence. It had been in rough after some serious TLC, the artwork was as as new. bought it from an here for thousand. painting was a mess when she got it, but saw in the chaos. It took some serious elbow but she managed to put the fragments back together. The old had it a family treasure, possibly from the Renaissance era. But with no name to the artist and a face only a mother could love, it hard place a value on it. The most ever gotten for it was bucks. Kylie, though, had a knack for sort of thing. could the was work of a master, someone who had a way with scenes. If she to it at an auction, could fetch 300 dollars. But in this she might get half of that. But money wasn’t on her mind at that time. Kylie was on a mission find the perfect birthday present for Julie, something. unique and unforgettable.