Chapter 7
“Listen to me carefully, Maya.”
My voice was shaking.
“Do not sign anything else.”
She began crying harder.
“Nia, I didn't know.”
“I believe you.”
“Dad said it was a birthday surprise.”
I closed my eyes.
A birthday surprise.
Just like the Rolls-Royce.
Just like the expensive gifts.
Every time my father wanted Maya to agree to something, he wrapped it in affection.
And she accepted because she believed that was what love looked like.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“At home.”
“Is Dad there?”
“Yes.”
“Can you leave?”
She hesitated.
“He's in his office.”
I thought quickly.
“Go to your room. Get your identification, your phone charger, and anything important.”
“Nia?”
“Then come to my apartment.”
She sniffled.
“Dad will be angry.”
I stared at the wall.
“He's already angry.”
“What if he cuts me off?”
The question broke my heart.
My sister had a luxury car, designer clothes, and a room bigger than my apartment.
But she had no idea how to survive without Dad's approval.
“Maya,” I said gently, “you can survive without his money.”
She was silent.
“I don't know how.”
“Then I'll help you learn.”
An hour later, someone knocked on my door.
I opened it.
Maya stood in the hallway carrying two bags.
Her face was swollen from crying.
She wore leggings and an old college sweatshirt.
I barely recognized her without makeup or expensive jewelry.
She looked like my sister.
Not the princess our father displayed at parties.
Just Maya.
“Nia?”
I stepped aside.
“Come in.”
She walked into my apartment and looked around.
It was the first time she had visited since I moved there.
She stared at my small sofa.
My secondhand dining table.
The books stacked beside the television.
Then she looked at me.
“You live like this?”
I felt my face heat.
“Yes.”
She immediately shook her head.
“No. I didn't mean—”
“It's okay.”
She looked down.
“Dad always said you liked simple things.”
I laughed bitterly.
“I like being able to pay my rent.”
Her eyes filled again.
She sat on the sofa.
“I didn't know.”
I closed the door.
“There's a lot you didn't know.”
We sat in silence.
Then Maya opened her handbag.
She pulled out a folder.
“These are the papers.”
My stomach tightened.
I called Rebecca immediately.
She told me not to alter anything and arranged to review scanned copies securely.
Maya watched as I photographed the pages.
Her hands trembled.
“What if I did something illegal?”
“We'll find out what happened.”
She looked terrified.
“I trusted him.”
“I know.”
“I didn't even read what I signed.”
I sat beside her.
“That's why we're going to get you your own lawyer.”
She stared at me.
“My own?”
“Yes. Someone independent.”
She began crying.
“Nia, I can't afford a lawyer.”
I looked around my tiny apartment.
Neither could I, at least not easily.
But Rebecca had already offered referrals to attorneys experienced in financial fraud.
“We'll find a way,” I said.
Maya looked at me.
“Why are you helping me?”
I swallowed.
“Because you're my sister.”
She lowered her head.
“I haven't been a good one.”
I didn't disagree.
But I didn't attack her either.
“You can decide what kind of sister you want to be now.”
She began crying again.
The next morning, Rebecca called.
Her voice was serious.
“Nia, the documents Maya signed are concerning.”
I put the phone on speaker.
Maya sat beside me.
“What do they mean?” I asked.
“Your father attempted to transfer controlling ownership interests in Carter Automotive Holdings to Maya.”
Maya covered her mouth.
“Is that bad?”
Rebecca continued.
“The company has substantial liabilities.”
My heart pounded.
“How substantial?”
“Potentially several million dollars.”
Maya began shaking.
“But Dad said the dealerships were doing great.”
Rebecca paused.
“We're reviewing that claim.”
I looked at my sister.
Her face was white.
“What happens to Maya?”
“That depends on the effectiveness of the transfer, what disclosures were made, and whether the signatures were obtained through fraud.”
Maya started crying.
“I didn't know!”
Rebecca's voice softened.
“Maya, I understand. That's why independent legal advice is important.”
I put my arm around my sister.
For the first time in years, she leaned into me.
Not because Dad told us to look close for a photograph.
Because she was scared.
And I was the person she trusted.
Later that afternoon, my father arrived at my apartment.
He didn't call first.
He simply pounded on the door.
“Nia!”
Maya jumped.
I stood.
“Stay here.”
I walked toward the entrance.
“Dad, leave.”
His voice thundered through the hallway.
“I know Maya is there!”
I felt my heart racing.
“She's twenty-two. She can decide where she stays.”
He slammed his palm against the door.
“Open this door!”
I didn't.
Instead, I called building security.
Then I called the police non-emergency number to report that my father was refusing to leave.
Dad continued shouting.
“Maya! You're embarrassing me!”
My sister covered her ears.
I looked at her.
“You don't have to answer.”
She began crying.
“I know.”
Then Dad shouted something that made both of us freeze.
“Nia, if you don't open this door, I'll make sure you lose every penny Grandpa left you!”
I stared at the lock.
For years, that threat would have worked.
I would have opened the door.
Apologized.
Begged him to calm down.
But I wasn't that frightened little girl anymore.
I stepped close enough for him to hear.
“You can't threaten me into silence anymore.”
He became quiet.
Then he laughed.
“You think that money makes you powerful?”
“No.”
I took a breath.
“The truth does.”
He cursed.
Then footsteps moved away.
Security confirmed he had left the building.
I turned around.
Maya was standing behind me.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
“I've never heard anyone talk to Dad like that.”
I smiled sadly.
“Neither have I.”
She stepped closer.
Then hugged me.
I was surprised by how tightly she held on.
“I'm sorry, Nia.”
I closed my eyes.
“I know.”
“No. I mean for everything.”
I wrapped my arms around her.
For a moment, we were children again.
Two little girls who once shared a bedroom.
Two sisters who used to make birthday wishes together before Dad began deciding which wishes mattered more.
Then my phone rang.
Rebecca.
I answered.
“Nia, we have a serious development.”
My stomach tightened.
“What happened?”
“The bank has frozen several accounts associated with the disputed transactions pending review.”
I looked at Maya.
“And?”
“Your father attempted to withdraw a large amount of money this morning.”
I swallowed.
“How much?”
“Nearly eight hundred thousand dollars.”
My hands went cold.
“Did he get it?”
“No.”
I exhaled.
Then Rebecca continued.
“But we found a transfer that went through yesterday.”
My heart pounded.
“To whom?”
There was a pause.
“Claire Carter.”
My mother.
I stared at the phone.
“Mom?”
Rebecca's voice was cautious.
“Nia, we need to determine whether she knew the source of those funds.”
I looked toward Maya.
She shook her head.
“No.”
I couldn't speak.
After everything my mother had confessed, I thought she had finally chosen the truth.
But now hundreds of thousands of dollars connected to the disputed accounts had moved into her name.
May you like
And I didn't know whether she was protecting us.
Or protecting Dad.
