Chapter 1

Overtime work meant leaving my five-year-old son, Leo, at my parents’ place for the day. When I went to pick him up, I almost fainted on the spot.

Leo’s bottom was swollen, his jeans soaked through with blood. He could barely stand. The moment he saw me, he burst into tears and burrowed into my arms.

Trembling with rage, I called my mom to find out what happened.

Her sharp voice pierced through the phone. “What’s wrong with me disciplining your child? He spent two dollars on a carousel ride, and then wanted another one! He’s only five and already so greedy. Of course I hit him!”

“Look how sensible Brandon is!” my dad snatched the phone, his voice even more self-righteous than my mom’s. “The money he asked for was only enough for one helicopter ride, and he didn’t demand another! Learning to save money from a young age is how it should be! If your son were half as sensible as Brandon, would I have needed to lay a hand on him?”

A metallic taste filled my throat, my anger boiling. “Robert, Martha, you’re absolutely right. So, starting this month, your monthly twenty-thousand-dollar allowance is cut. From now on, you’ll need to submit requests for money and get them approved. Whether I approve or not depends on my mood.”

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