Chapter 2
Denise looked at the bank statement in my hand and began crying.
"Marcus, it's not what you think."
I stared at her.
"Then tell me what it is."
She wiped her cheeks.
"I was only trying to help the family."
Malik made a small sound beside me.
I turned toward him.
His eyes were filled with disbelief.
"Help us?" he whispered.
Denise pointed at him.
"Don't start!"
I stepped forward.
"Stop shouting at him."
She looked furious.
"Marcus, this is my house too!"
I took a breath.
"Then behave like someone who wants this house to feel safe."
The words surprised even me.
For years, I'd avoided disagreements between Denise and Malik.
I told myself they needed time.
That a teenager and his stepmother would naturally clash.
But this wasn't a disagreement about chores.
Someone had tried to take my son's college savings.
I looked at the transaction record.
"Who authorized this?"
Denise crossed her arms.
"I submitted a request."
My stomach tightened.
"Why?"
"Because I needed temporary funding."
"For what?"
She hesitated.
"My business."
I stared at her.
Denise had started a small event-planning company eighteen months earlier.
She called it Bennett Signature Events.
She organized birthdays, corporate dinners, and private celebrations.
At first, the business seemed successful.
She bought new equipment.
Hired assistants.
Rented an office.
Then the complaints began.
Vendors called our home.
Packages arrived with overdue notices.
Denise said it was normal for a growing business.
I believed her.
Now I wasn't so sure.
"How much debt do you have?"
Her expression hardened.
"That's none of Malik's business."
I looked at her.
"You're trying to take Malik's money. It became his business the moment you submitted that request."
She stared at me.
For a moment, she looked as though she wanted to scream.
Then she whispered:
"Seventy thousand."
My chest tightened.
"Seventy thousand dollars?"
She looked down.
"Approximately."
I leaned against the island.
I had no idea.
We paid our household bills.
Our mortgage was current.
I thought Denise was using business income to finance her company.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
She wiped her eyes.
"Because you would've told me to close it."
I swallowed.
"We could've talked about it."
She laughed bitterly.
"You always think you know better."
I stared at her.
"This isn't about my opinion."
I pointed toward Malik's phone.
"You tried to take money my father left my son."
Denise looked away.
Then she said something that made my stomach drop.
"Your father should've left it to you."
Malik went completely still.
I stared at her.
"What?"
She folded her arms.
"You're his son. Why would he leave fifty thousand dollars directly to a child?"
I felt anger rising.
"Because he wanted Malik to have an education."
Denise laughed.
"Malik already has college applications. He can get scholarships."
My son looked devastated.
I stepped closer.
"That doesn't make his inheritance available for your business."
Denise threw up her hands.
"Everything in this family is supposed to be shared!"
I shook my head.
"Sharing doesn't mean taking without permission."
She looked toward Malik.
"He doesn't even need it yet!"
My son finally spoke.
"I need it next year."
His voice shook.
"I've been saving for engineering school."
Denise rolled her eyes.
"You're not even accepted anywhere."
I turned toward him.
"Malik, go sit in the living room."
He hesitated.
"Dad..."
I softened my voice.
"You're not in trouble. I just need to speak with Denise."
He nodded.
Then walked away.
Before disappearing around the corner, he looked back.
"Please don't let her take it."
My heart broke.
"I won't."
He left.
I turned toward Denise.
"Do you understand what you just did to him?"
She folded her arms.
"Oh, please. He loves playing the victim."
I stared at her.
For the first time, I noticed how easily she dismissed his feelings.
Then I asked a question.
"How did you find out about the account?"
She hesitated.
"What?"
"Malik didn't tell you. I didn't know about it. So how did you get these bank statements?"
Her expression changed.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she whispered:
"I found them in his room."
My stomach tightened.
"You searched his bedroom?"
"I was cleaning."
I shook my head.
"Denise."
She looked away.
"Fine. I was looking for his school paperwork."
I stared at her.
"Why?"
She sighed.
"Because he has been hiding things."
I felt exhausted.
Then my phone rang.
It was my father's longtime attorney, Samuel Price.
I hadn't spoken with him in months.
I answered immediately.
"Mr. Price?"
"Marcus, I'm sorry to call unexpectedly."
His voice sounded serious.
"Is Malik with you?"
My stomach tightened.
"Yes."
"Is he safe?"
I frowned.
"Of course. Why?"
The attorney hesitated.
"His bank contacted our office about an attempted transfer from the account Elijah established."
I closed my eyes.
"We know."
"Marcus, there's something important you should understand."
I glanced toward Denise.
She was listening.
Mr. Price continued.
"The account was structured to protect Malik's education funds."
I nodded.
"Okay."
"Your father left specific instructions regarding unauthorized access."
My chest tightened.
"What instructions?"
"He anticipated someone might try to pressure Malik into releasing the money."
I felt cold.
"Someone?"
Mr. Price paused.
Then said:
"Marcus, your father expressed concerns about Denise before he died."
I stared at my wife.
Her face changed.
"What concerns?"
The attorney took a breath.
"He believed she had been asking questions about his estate and Malik's inheritance."
My hands began trembling.
Then he said something even worse.
"Your father left a confidential letter explaining why he created the account."
I swallowed.
"Where is it?"
"With me."
I looked toward the living room.
Malik sat on the sofa with his head lowered.
My father had known something I didn't.
Something serious enough to protect his grandson's money through a separate account.
I took a breath.
"Mr. Price, I want to see that letter."
He answered quietly:
"Then you need to come to my office tomorrow."
I looked toward Denise.
She stood frozen beside the marble island.
May you like
And suddenly, I understood why she'd reacted with such panic when Malik showed me the balance.
This wasn't the first time she'd tried to get money from my father's estate.
