Chapter 5
My mother's will.
Those three words changed everything.
I stood at the top of the staircase, barely breathing.
Jasmine's voice drifted upward.
"No, Adrian. I am not going to let that girl ruin everything."
A pause.
Then she spoke again.
"Just make sure the original papers stay where they are."
I pressed one hand against the wall.
My mother's will had been settled years ago.
At least, that was what I believed.
Dad had always said Mom left everything necessary for my education and security.
But why was Jasmine talking about original documents?
And who was Adrian?
I wanted to run downstairs and confront her.
Instead, I forced myself to remain still.
Jasmine ended the call.
Her heels clicked across the floor.
A moment later, I heard her enter the dining room.
I hurried into my bedroom.
My hands were shaking so badly I could barely unlock my phone.
I called Daniel.
He answered on the second ring.
"Maya?"
"I heard Jasmine talking to someone named Adrian."
"What did she say?"
I repeated every word.
There was silence.
Then Daniel asked:
"Are you somewhere private?"
"Yes."
"Write down exactly what you heard, including the time."
"Daniel, what original will?"
"I don't know yet."
"Could Mom have left something else?"
"It's possible. We need to verify the probate records and any trust amendments."
My voice cracked.
"Why would Jasmine hide them?"
Daniel took a breath.
"Let's establish what happened before deciding what it means."
I sat on the bed.
"But she knows something."
"Then we'll find out what."
After the call, I opened my laptop.
I searched public records connected to my mother's estate.
Most of the information was confusing.
There were dates, filings, and legal terms I didn't understand.
But one name kept appearing.
Adrian Mercer.
He was listed as an attorney who had submitted paperwork in connection with the estate several years after Mom's death.
I stared at the screen.
Why would Mom's estate need attention so long after she died?
I took screenshots of the public filing references and sent them to Daniel.
He replied almost immediately.
"Do not contact him. I'll review this."
That evening, Dad and I ate dinner together in the kitchen.
Jasmine stayed upstairs.
The house felt strangely quiet.
For years, she'd insisted we eat together at the dining table.
She liked everything arranged perfectly.
The expensive plates.
The polished silverware.
The spotless white tablecloth.
But she rarely cared whether anyone was happy.
Now Dad and I sat at the small kitchen table with takeout containers.
And somehow, it felt more like home.
"How was class?" he asked.
I looked up.
"You're asking about school?"
He gave a sad smile.
"I should have been asking more often."
I hesitated.
"Actually, I missed two lectures this week."
"Because of everything happening?"
I nodded.
He reached across the table.
"We'll figure it out."
Then he added:
"If you need counseling, or time away from work, I'll help you."
I looked down at my food.
"I don't want you to think I can't handle things."
Dad's voice softened.
"Being hurt doesn't mean you're weak."
My eyes filled.
That was exactly what Mom used to say.
Before I could answer, Jasmine walked into the kitchen.
She stopped when she saw us eating together.
"Well," she said. "Isn't this cozy?"
Dad didn't respond.
She looked at me.
"I thought you had classes."
"I do."
"Then perhaps you should concentrate on them instead of interfering in adult matters."
Dad put down his fork.
"Jasmine."
She ignored him.
"Have you even applied for an apartment yet, Maya?"
I stared at her.
Dad stood.
"We already settled this."
"No, Marcus. You announced your opinion. That doesn't mean we've settled anything."
He looked exhausted.
"Not tonight."
Jasmine's face reddened.
"You are letting her destroy our marriage."
I slowly stood.
"No, Jasmine. I'm trying to understand what happened to my mother's money."
For the first time, she looked caught off guard.
Then her eyes narrowed.
"What did you say?"
"You heard me."
She glanced at Dad.
"This is what happens when you fill her head with accusations."
Dad folded his arms.
"Then help us clear things up."
Jasmine laughed.
"I'm not going to defend myself against lies."
"Show us the records," he said.
Her face tightened.
"I've told you the attorney has them."
"Which attorney?"
She hesitated.
I watched her carefully.
"Adrian Mercer?" I asked.
The color drained from her face.
Dad turned toward me.
"Who is Adrian Mercer?"
Jasmine grabbed the back of a chair.
"Where did you hear that name?"
I kept my voice steady.
"It's in the public records."
She stared at me.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Jasmine pointed at me.
"You're snooping into private matters."
"My mother's estate isn't your private matter."
Dad stepped beside me.
"Answer the question."
Jasmine looked between us.
Then she did something unexpected.
She started crying.
Real-looking tears slid down her cheeks.
"After everything I've done for this family," she whispered, "this is how you treat me?"
Dad said nothing.
She covered her face.
"I gave up years of my life for you, Marcus. I helped raise your daughter. I kept this house together."
I felt anger rise inside me.
She had never helped raise me.
She'd spent years reminding me that I wasn't hers.
Now she was using the role of devoted mother like a costume.
Dad spoke quietly.
"If you have nothing to hide, give Daniel the documents."
Jasmine lowered her hands.
Her tears stopped almost immediately.
"You'll hear from my attorney."
She turned and walked away.
Dad sat down heavily.
For a long time, neither of us spoke.
Then my phone vibrated.
Daniel had sent a message.
"I found an important probate filing. Come to my office tomorrow morning."
I showed Dad.
He nodded.
"We'll go together."
But before morning came, something happened.
At 2:17 a.m., I woke to the sound of a car engine.
I looked out my bedroom window.
Jasmine was carrying a large black bag toward her car.
She placed it in the trunk.
Then another car pulled into the driveway.
A man stepped out.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Wearing a gray suit.
Even in the darkness, I recognized his face.
I'd seen his photograph on the attorney directory.
Adrian Mercer.
Jasmine walked toward him.
They embraced.
Not like business associates.
Not like old friends.
He kissed her.
I stumbled backward from the window.
My heart hammered.
My stepmother was having an affair.
And the man she was kissing was connected to my mother's estate.
Then I heard my bedroom door open.
Dad stood behind me.
"Maya? What's wrong?"
I turned toward him.
May you like
But before I could answer, his eyes moved toward the window.
And he saw them too.
