Chapter 4
I watched Dad's expression change as he listened to Daniel.
At first, he looked confused.
Then shocked.
Then furious.
He turned away from me.
"Are you certain?"
A pause.
"Send it to my attorney immediately."
He ended the call.
I stared at him.
"Dad?"
He looked toward me.
For a moment, I thought he might pretend nothing had happened.
That was what adults did when they wanted to keep children out of uncomfortable conversations.
But Dad crouched.
"Maya, there's something important I need to investigate."
My stomach tightened.
"About Vanessa?"
He nodded.
I swallowed.
"Is she coming home?"
He looked at me carefully.
"Not tonight."
I felt relief.
Then guilt.
Because I knew Noah missed his mother.
Even after everything she'd done, she was still his mom.
I didn't want him to suffer because of me.
"Dad?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Is Noah going to be okay?"
His expression softened.
"We're going to make sure he gets the support he needs."
I nodded.
Then whispered, "I don't want him to hate me."
Dad's face changed.
"Why would he hate you?"
I looked toward the family room.
"Because Vanessa might leave."
He took my hand.
"Maya, you are not responsible for the choices adults make."
I swallowed.
"I know."
But I wasn't sure I believed it.
Later that evening, Aunt Renee came over.
She sat with Noah while Dad spoke with his attorney.
Grandma stayed with me.
I was sitting at the kitchen island when I heard Dad raise his voice inside the study.
"What do you mean she already submitted it?"
My stomach tightened.
Grandma looked toward the hallway.
Then back at me.
"Sweetheart, let's make some tea."
I nodded.
But I couldn't stop listening.
Dad's voice came again.
"Without my authorization?"
Then silence.
I stared at Grandma.
She looked worried.
A few minutes later, Dad emerged from the study.
His face was pale.
"Mom, Renee, can I speak with you?"
Grandma stood.
Aunt Renee joined them.
They went into the study and closed the door.
I sat alone at the kitchen island.
I felt like a stranger in my own home.
People were discussing my future.
My family.
My place in the house.
And I still didn't know what was happening.
Then Noah appeared beside me.
He was holding a toy car.
"Maya?"
I looked down.
"Hey."
He climbed onto the stool beside me.
"Are you sad?"
I tried to smile.
"A little."
He looked thoughtful.
Then handed me his toy car.
"You can have this."
I stared at him.
"Noah, that's your favorite."
He nodded.
"I know."
"Then why are you giving it to me?"
He shrugged.
"Because you look sad."
My throat tightened.
I hugged him.
"You're a good brother."
He smiled.
"You're a good sister."
For a few minutes, I felt better.
Then he asked something that made my heart stop.
"Maya, did Mommy really sign the paper?"
I froze.
"What paper?"
He looked confused.
"The one with your name."
My stomach tightened.
"What do you mean?"
He shrugged.
"Mommy was practicing your name."
I stared at him.
"When?"
"Yesterday."
I felt cold.
"Practicing how?"
Noah moved his finger across the table.
"Writing it."
I swallowed.
"Did she say why?"
He shook his head.
"She said she had to make it look right."
My heart began pounding.
I looked toward the study.
Then back at Noah.
"Sweetheart, are you sure?"
He nodded.
"She had lots of papers."
I felt sick.
I slid off the stool.
"Come with me."
We walked toward Dad's study.
I knocked.
No answer.
Then Dad opened the door.
He looked surprised.
"Maya?"
I swallowed.
"Noah has something to tell you."
Dad looked at my little brother.
"What is it, buddy?"
Noah lifted his toy car.
"Mommy was writing Maya's name."
The room went silent.
Aunt Renee slowly stood.
Grandma covered her mouth.
Dad crouched.
"What do you mean?"
Noah explained what he'd seen.
He didn't understand why it mattered.
But I did.
Someone had been practicing my signature.
And there were papers involving my future.
Dad looked toward his attorney on the video call.
The attorney's expression became serious.
"Marcus, we need to preserve the original documents."
Dad nodded.
Then looked at me.
His eyes were filled with fear.
"Maya, have you signed any paperwork about boarding school?"
I shook my head.
"No."
"Any educational authorization?"
"No."
"Any transfer forms?"
I stared at him.
"Dad, I'm twelve!"
His face crumpled.
He nodded.
"I know."
Then his attorney spoke.
"Marcus, the document submitted to the school includes a signature attributed to Maya."
I felt my stomach drop.
Dad looked toward the screen.
"What?"
The attorney continued.
"The application was submitted electronically last week."
I couldn't breathe.
A week ago.
Vanessa had already been making plans.
Before the party.
Before the photograph.
Before Dad promised he wouldn't send me away.
I looked at him.
"Dad..."
My voice broke.
"She was really going to send me away?"
He stood immediately.
"No, sweetheart."
But I could see the truth in his eyes.
May you like
Vanessa had tried.
And she had nearly succeeded.
