Deception in Silicon Heights

Chapter 3: The Curious Case of Missing Gifts

The days passed, and Ethan found himself paying more attention to the dynamic in his household. He noticed how Emma was often treated like royalty, while Lily seemed to fade into the background. Jessica lavished Emma with attention and gifts, justifying it with vague reasons—good behaviour, social achievements, appearances at school events. But Lily was always left with little more than a passing compliment, and even those felt forced.

One evening, as Ethan was helping Lily with her homework, he saw something that puzzled him. She was wearing a bracelet he hadn't seen before—one he was certain had been part of the mountain of gifts in Emma's room.

"Lily, where did you get that bracelet?" he asked casually, not wanting to alarm her.

She hesitated, glancing down at her wrist. "Um... I borrowed it from Emma."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Does Emma know you borrowed it?"

Lily's cheeks flushed with guilt, and she shook her head. "No... but she won't notice. She has so much stuff, and she doesn't wear half of it."

Ethan felt a pang of sadness. His younger daughter had resorted to sneaking things from her sister just to feel like she had something of her own. He didn't say anything more, but the situation weighed on him. Why didn't Lily feel she could ask for anything? Why was Emma receiving so much more than she could possibly need?

That night, as Ethan lay in bed beside Jessica, who was scrolling through her phone, he decided to broach the topic.

"Jess, I noticed Emma's been getting a lot of new things lately," he said, keeping his tone neutral. "Is there a reason for it? I mean, Lily barely has anything compared to her."

Jessica didn't even look up from her phone. "Emma's older, Ethan. She needs more. Besides, she's earned it."

"Earned it how?" Ethan pressed, trying to keep the frustration out of his voice.

Jessica sighed, finally looking at him with a hint of irritation. "She's doing well in school, and she's popular. She has a reputation to maintain. I'm just helping her with that."

Ethan frowned. "And Lily? She's doing well too, but she doesn't get the same treatment."

Jessica waved him off. "Lily doesn't care about that stuff. She's different."

Different. That word stuck with Ethan. Jessica had always been more invested in Emma's life, but now it was becoming painfully clear just how deep the favouritism ran. It wasn't just about clothes and material things—it was about attention, love, and recognition. And Lily was getting none of it.