Chapter 4 - The Woman Who Wanted Everything
I watched Claire reach for the front door.
My father moved into the hallway.
"Where are you going?"
She stopped.
"To my sister's house."
"Not until we finish talking."
"Daniel, you're acting like I've committed some terrible crime."
I stared at her.
"You tried to destroy my life."
She turned toward me.
"Don't exaggerate."
Something inside me snapped.
"EXAGGERATE?"
My voice echoed through the room.
"You convinced Maya to accuse me of something that could ruin my future!"
Claire flinched.
"And you wanted control of my mother's money!"
"Jordan," my father said softly.
I turned on him.
"No, Dad. You don't get to tell me to calm down."
He closed his mouth.
I had been calm for years.
When Claire criticized me.
When Maya mocked my clothes.
When I stopped inviting friends over because Claire made them uncomfortable.
I had swallowed every insult because I thought keeping the peace meant keeping my family.
Now I understood.
I had been making myself smaller for people who wanted me gone.
Marcus placed the documents on the coffee table.
"Claire, these allegations are serious. You should retain independent legal counsel."
She folded her arms.
"I already have legal counsel."
Marcus looked up.
"Then I suggest you contact that person immediately."
My father stared at her.
"You hired a lawyer behind my back?"
Claire laughed bitterly.
"Apparently, I'm the only one who thinks about our future."
"Our future?"
"Yes, Daniel. Our future."
She pointed around the living room.
"Your son is about to receive millions while we're still paying for things his mother controlled from the grave!"
My father looked stunned.
"Rachel didn't control us."
"Of course you would say that!"
Claire's voice rose.
"Everything in this house belongs to Rachel's memory. Every photograph. Every family tradition. Even the garden!"
I stared at her.
The garden.
My mother's roses grew along the backyard fence.
Claire had repeatedly suggested removing them.
I always refused.
Now I understood why.
They were another reminder that my mother had existed.
"You hated her," I whispered.
Claire looked at me.
"I hated living in her shadow."
"She was dead."
My voice cracked.
"She couldn't defend herself."
For one second, Claire's expression changed.
Something like shame crossed her face.
Then it disappeared.
Marcus interrupted.
"Whatever your feelings, none of that gives you authority over Jordan's inheritance."
Claire turned toward him.
"You don't understand what I've sacrificed for this family."
I wanted to scream.
What had she sacrificed?
She drove a luxury car.
She hosted expensive dinner parties.
She took vacations with Dad and Maya while I stayed with Aunt Teresa.
She had a beautiful home.
A husband who defended her.
A daughter who adored her.
And somehow, it was never enough.
Marcus continued reviewing the documents.
Then he frowned.
"Daniel, have you signed any property-related authorization recently?"
My father hesitated.
"A few things."
"What things?"
"Claire said we needed to restructure some household accounts."
Marcus looked up sharply.
"When?"
"Last month."
My father suddenly looked nervous.
"Why?"
"Did you sign papers involving a home-equity transaction?"
Dad frowned.
"I don't think so."
Claire's expression shifted.
Marcus noticed.
"Claire?"
She looked away.
I felt another wave of dread.
My father retrieved a folder from his study.
He returned with several documents.
Marcus read the first page.
Then the second.
His expression darkened.
"Daniel, this appears to be an application for financing secured against the property."
My father shook his head.
"No. Claire told me those were insurance forms."
Marcus turned another page.
"Jordan's ownership interest may prevent this from proceeding without additional authorization."
I stared at him.
"Is that why she wanted me out?"
"It's possible," he said carefully.
Claire suddenly reached for the folder.
Marcus pulled it away.
"These are copies. I recommend we preserve them."
My father looked devastated.
"Claire, what did you do?"
She began crying.
It was the first time I'd seen real tears from her that night.
"I was trying to fix things."
"Fix what?"
"Our finances."
Dad frowned.
"What finances?"
Claire wiped her face.
Then she whispered, "I made some mistakes."
Marcus closed the folder.
"What kind of mistakes?"
She didn't answer.
Maya stood near the staircase.
Her face was pale.
"Mom?"
Claire turned toward her daughter.
"Go upstairs."
"No."
Maya's voice shook.
"You told me we needed Jordan to leave because he was making our family miserable."
Claire stared at her.
Maya continued.
"You never said anything about money."
"Maya, please."
"You told me Dad would believe me!"
The words hit my father like a punch.
He lowered his head.
Maya began crying harder.
"I thought we'd just have the house to ourselves."
I stared at her.
"So you were willing to make everyone think I attacked you?"
She couldn't meet my eyes.
"I didn't think it would get that bad."
I shook my head.
"That's the problem. You didn't think about what would happen to me."
She covered her mouth.
I looked away.
I wasn't ready to forgive her.
Maybe I never would be.
Marcus gathered the documents.
"I need to speak with Daniel and Jordan privately."
Claire immediately protested.
"I'm his wife."
"And Jordan has independent legal interests that require protection."
My father nodded.
"Claire, take Maya upstairs."
She stared at him.
For once, he didn't change his mind.
After they left, Marcus pulled a chair closer.
"Jordan, I need you to understand something."
I nodded.
"Your mother's estate has safeguards. Claire cannot simply take your inheritance because she wants it."
I breathed a little easier.
"But?"
"But attempted interference can create serious problems. We need to know what documents were submitted, whether anyone used your identity, and whether any funds were obtained improperly."
My father looked sick.
"Can we stop it?"
"We can notify the relevant institutions and investigate."
Marcus turned to me.
"You're eighteen. You have rights now. I want you involved in every decision concerning your property."
I nodded slowly.
Nobody had ever spoken to me that way before.
Like my voice mattered.
Like I was capable of protecting myself.
My father reached toward me.
"Jordan, I'm so sorry."
I moved my hand away.
His face crumpled.
"I know I failed you."
"You didn't just fail me tonight."
He looked up.
I forced myself to continue.
"You've been failing me for three years."
Tears rolled down his cheeks.
I wanted to comfort him.
That instinct terrified me.
Even after everything, part of me still wanted to protect my father from feeling guilty.
But I couldn't keep doing that.
Marcus quietly excused himself to make calls.
My father remained beside me.
"I thought keeping everyone happy was the right thing."
I looked at him.
"And did you?"
He shook his head.
"No."
I stood up.
"I'm going to stay with Aunt Teresa."
His eyes widened.
"Tonight?"
"Yes."
"Jordan, this is your home."
I stared at him.
"Then why did you almost throw me out of it?"
He had no answer.
I packed a small bag.
Nia offered to come with me.
I told her she should.
Neither of us felt comfortable staying under Claire's roof.
Before leaving, I walked into the kitchen for my mother's letter.
But the envelope wasn't where I'd left it.
I searched beneath the papers.
Beside the couch.
Under the table.
Nothing.
Then I saw Maya standing in the hallway.
Her hands were trembling.
"Jordan," she whispered.
I turned.
"What?"
She glanced upstairs.
Then toward the front door.
"There's something you need to know."
I stared at her.
She swallowed.
"Mom didn't act alone."
My pulse quickened.
"Who helped her?"
Maya's eyes filled with terror.
"The man who came here last Tuesday."
"Who is he?"
She hesitated.
Then whispered a name.
"Uncle Raymond."
May you like
My father appeared behind me.
And the moment he heard that name, his face went completely white.
