Chapter 5
Jordan stared at the photograph.
Then he looked toward the window.
"Someone's watching us."
My stomach dropped.
I grabbed his arm.
"Don't go outside."
He shook his head.
"I wasn't going to."
For the first time, we were both scared of the same thing.
We hurried downstairs.
Dad was sitting at the kitchen table reviewing documents.
Mom was washing dishes.
Jordan placed his phone in front of them.
Dad's expression changed immediately.
He stood.
"Claire, lock the back door."
Mom turned.
"What happened?"
Dad showed her the message.
Her face drained of color.
"Marcus..."
He reached for his own phone.
"I'm calling the police."
Within twenty minutes, officers arrived.
They examined the photograph.
The threatening messages.
And the security footage from our front door camera.
A dark SUV had driven past our house three times that afternoon.
Its license plate wasn't visible.
But the timing was enough to concern the officers.
Dad gave them the information about Gregory Brooks.
The workplace investigation.
Tyler's threats.
And the request for confidential files.
The officers advised us to preserve all communications and report further contact.
They also discussed safety precautions.
That night, Dad changed the access codes for our home security system.
He checked every window.
Mom made sure we had emergency numbers written down.
And Jordan refused to let me sleep alone.
He dragged a blanket into my room and stretched out on the floor.
I stared at him.
"What are you doing?"
He shrugged.
"Camping."
I almost laughed.
"Jordan."
He looked up.
"What?"
"You don't have to do this."
He settled against the pillow.
"I know."
I swallowed.
"You're still mad at me."
"Yep."
"Then why are you here?"
He looked at the ceiling.
"Because being mad at you doesn't mean I want anything bad to happen to you."
Tears filled my eyes.
I turned away before he could see.
At school the next morning, everything felt different.
Principal Harris had arranged for me to attend classes while the disciplinary review continued, with a modified schedule and safety plan.
Tyler was not allowed to contact me.
His access to school activities was restricted during the investigation.
But rumors spread anyway.
Someone had heard about the missing money.
Someone else claimed I had been caught stealing from a teacher.
By lunch, students were whispering when I walked past.
I kept my head down.
My best friend, Aaliyah, found me near the library.
"Maya?"
I stopped.
She looked worried.
"What's going on?"
I hesitated.
Then I told her.
Not every detail.
But enough.
Her expression changed.
"You took the fundraiser money?"
I nodded.
Her eyes filled.
"Maya, why didn't you come to me?"
I looked away.
"I was ashamed."
She sighed.
"I would've helped you."
I shook my head.
"I know."
Then she surprised me.
She hugged me.
"I'm disappointed you lied."
I began crying.
"But I'm not leaving you."
Those words nearly broke me.
I had expected everyone to turn away.
Instead, the people who loved me were telling me the truth and staying.
It was harder to accept than blind forgiveness.
Because it meant I had to become someone worthy of their trust again.
That afternoon, I met with the school counselor.
We talked about the party.
The photograph.
The alcohol.
My fear.
She asked whether I felt safe.
I admitted that I still didn't know what happened after I became dizzy.
She helped arrange a medical consultation and explained support resources.
I didn't feel ready to make every decision.
But for the first time, I understood I had choices.
When I returned home, Dad was waiting in the living room.
His face looked tense.
"Come sit down."
I sat beside him.
Mom and Jordan joined us.
Dad took a breath.
"The company investigation has moved forward."
My stomach tightened.
"What happened?"
"Gregory Brooks has been accused of manipulating vendor payments."
Jordan frowned.
"How much?"
Dad shook his head.
"The amount is still being determined."
He looked at me.
"But investigators found something important."
I swallowed.
"What?"
"Someone tried to access my work account from an unauthorized device."
My heart pounded.
"When?"
"Yesterday."
Mom's expression changed.
"The same day we received the threat?"
Dad nodded.
Jordan leaned forward.
"Was it Tyler?"
"We don't know yet."
Dad explained that the attempt had been blocked by security controls.
The company had preserved the logs.
Investigators were examining the source.
But the attempt confirmed that someone was actively trying to obtain confidential information.
I felt sick.
"If I'd given Tyler the key..."
Dad looked at me.
"But you didn't."
I shook my head.
"I almost did."
He nodded.
"I know."
Tears filled my eyes.
"I was so scared."
Dad put his arm around me.
"Fear makes people vulnerable. That's why threats like these are so dangerous."
I leaned against him.
Then Mom's phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Her expression changed.
"It's Principal Harris."
She answered.
After listening for several seconds, she looked at Dad.
"What do you mean, another student?"
My stomach tightened.
Jordan sat forward.
Mom's voice became sharp.
"Is she safe?"
I stopped breathing.
Another student.
Another girl.
Another person Tyler might have threatened.
Mom ended the call.
She stared at us.
"The school has received another complaint."
I whispered, "About Tyler?"
Mom nodded.
"A girl says he threatened to release private photographs unless she gave him money."
My hands began shaking.
May you like
Then Mom added something that made the room go silent.
"The girl says Tyler told her Maya had already paid him."
