Chapter 7
I nearly dropped my phone.
"Using my information?"
Rachel's voice remained calm.
"That's what the records indicate."
My heart pounded.
"Did Vanessa open an account in my name?"
"We're investigating that possibility."
I stared at Marcus.
He was watching me with concern.
Rachel continued.
"Don't panic. We have steps we can take."
I took a breath.
"Okay."
"Enjoy the rest of your honeymoon if you can. We'll handle the immediate legal matters."
I almost laughed.
Enjoy the honeymoon.
How could I?
Someone had apparently used my identity to move money.
My sister was threatening to disappear.
And my mother was hiding an estate dispute that had already cost our family hundreds of thousands of dollars.
I closed my eyes.
Then Marcus took the phone.
"Rachel, what do you need from us?"
She explained the immediate documentation requirements.
He listened carefully.
Then he thanked her.
When he ended the call, he placed the phone on the table.
I stared at him.
"What if we lose everything?"
He reached for my hand.
"We won't stop fighting for what's right."
I swallowed.
"But what if the money is gone?"
Marcus looked at me.
"Then we'll deal with that together."
Tears filled my eyes.
He smiled gently.
"Nia, I didn't marry an inheritance."
I looked up.
"I married you."
I began crying.
He moved beside me.
And for several minutes, I held him beneath the warm Jamaican night sky.
The next morning, I made a decision.
I wasn't going to let Vanessa control another day of my life.
I turned off unnecessary notifications.
I told Rachel to contact Marcus if anything urgent happened.
And I spent the next several days enjoying my husband.
We swam.
Explored waterfalls.
Ate delicious food.
And watched sunsets from our balcony.
For the first time, I began imagining our future without fear.
A home.
A family.
Maybe children someday.
A life built on honesty instead of competition.
When we returned to Atlanta, Rachel had news.
She arranged a meeting with Daniel Brooks.
We sat in her office while Daniel explained the findings.
The account opened using my personal information appeared to have been created several years earlier.
It was linked to transfers involving the family trust.
My stomach tightened.
"Who opened it?"
Daniel hesitated.
"The bank records identify an authorized representative."
I stared at him.
"Who?"
He looked toward Rachel.
Then back at me.
"Your mother."
I felt the room tilt.
"Mom?"
Daniel nodded.
"Diane Williams."
I covered my mouth.
For years, I'd believed Vanessa was the only person deliberately taking advantage of me.
Now the evidence suggested my mother had played a much larger role.
Rachel spoke gently.
"Nia, we need to verify the authorization documents."
I nodded slowly.
"Okay."
Daniel continued.
"Several transfers were made from trust-related accounts into this account, then onward to businesses connected to Vanessa."
My throat tightened.
"How much?"
He looked down.
"Approximately seven hundred thousand dollars over several years."
I couldn't breathe.
Seven hundred thousand dollars.
I stared at the floor.
My mother had watched me work two jobs.
She'd watched me skip vacations.
She'd watched me save for my wedding.
And all along, money connected to my inheritance had been moving through an account opened using my identity.
I felt sick.
"Why would she do that?"
Rachel looked at me.
"We'll need her explanation and the underlying documents."
I nodded.
But deep down, I knew the answer might be simple.
Vanessa wanted something.
And my mother gave it to her.
Again.
That afternoon, Diane called.
I almost ignored it.
Then I answered.
"Mom."
Her voice shook.
"Nia, please."
I closed my eyes.
"What?"
"I need to see you."
I looked toward Marcus.
He shook his head slightly.
I took a breath.
"Through Rachel."
Diane began crying.
"Why are you treating me like a criminal?"
My chest tightened.
"Because I don't know what happened to my inheritance, and the records show an account opened using my personal information."
Silence.
Then she whispered, "I was trying to help Vanessa."
I closed my eyes.
"I know."
Diane sobbed.
"She was desperate."
I felt tears rolling down my cheeks.
"Mom, I was desperate too."
She didn't answer.
"I needed help paying for school. I needed help when my car broke down. I needed help saving for the wedding."
My voice broke.
"You watched me struggle."
Diane cried harder.
"I thought Vanessa would pay it back."
I shook my head.
"You always thought Vanessa would fix things."
Silence.
Then I whispered, "But you never asked what it was costing me."
I ended the call.
For a long time, I sat beside Marcus.
He held me.
I cried.
Then I wiped my face.
"I'm done begging her to choose me."
Marcus kissed my forehead.
"You don't have to."
That evening, I opened my laptop.
I began researching how to start a small business.
For years, I'd dreamed of opening a bridal design studio.
Grandma taught me to sew when I was ten.
She said I had a gift for making women feel beautiful.
I'd always put the dream aside.
Too expensive.
Too risky.
Too unrealistic.
But after everything that happened, I realized I didn't want to spend my future waiting for justice.
I wanted to build something of my own.
I looked at Marcus.
"Can I tell you something?"
He smiled.
"Anything."
"I want to open a bridal studio."
His face lit up.
"Then let's make a plan."
I laughed.
"Just like that?"
He nodded.
"Just like that."
For the first time in months, I felt excited about something unrelated to my family's betrayal.
Then Rachel called.
Her voice sounded serious.
"Nia, we've received a response from Vanessa's attorney."
My stomach tightened.
"What does she want?"
Rachel paused.
"She's offering to return some assets."
I frowned.
"In exchange for what?"
Rachel took a breath.
"She wants you to sign a broad release and agree not to pursue any further claims."
I stared at the wall.
Then I asked the question that mattered most.
"How much is she offering?"
Rachel hesitated.
"One hundred thousand dollars."
I almost laughed.
After everything.
The stolen dress.
The forged documents.
The missing inheritance.
The family home.
My sister thought one hundred thousand dollars would buy my silence.
I looked at Marcus.
May you like
Then I answered.
"No."
