Chapter 6
The moment I saw the photograph, I called the police.
Not Felicia.
Not Derrick.
The police.
I forwarded the messages and explained everything.
Within minutes, Daniel was on the phone with investigators.
My daughter's school was notified.
Her pickup arrangements were changed.
And security footage from the surrounding area was requested.
But none of that stopped the fear spreading through my chest.
Jasmine had already lost her mother.
She had already spent years being emotionally mistreated inside her own home.
Now someone was trying to frighten her into silence.
I refused to let it happen.
I drove to Renee's house immediately.
Jasmine was sitting on the couch reading.
When she saw me, she smiled.
“Daddy, you're early.”
I crossed the room and hugged her.
She laughed.
“What's wrong?”
I held her a moment longer.
Then I sat beside her.
“Sweetheart, I need to tell you something.”
Her smile faded.
“Is it Felicia?”
I nodded.
“Someone has been sending threatening messages.”
Her eyes widened.
“About me?”
I took her hand.
“Yes.”
She looked frightened.
“Did I do something?”
“No.”
I spoke firmly.
“You did absolutely nothing wrong.”
She swallowed.
“What happens now?”
“We're working with the police. Until things are settled, you'll stay with Renee or me, and we'll make sure you aren't alone in unfamiliar places.”
She nodded.
Then she whispered, “I'm scared.”
I pulled her close.
“I know, baby.”
“Will they hurt you?”
My throat tightened.
“I've taken precautions, and we're getting help.”
She pressed her face against my chest.
“I don't want anything to happen to you.”
I kissed her forehead.
“I love you too much to ignore this.”
That evening, Daniel called with new information.
“The dealership's security cameras were reviewed.”
I sat straighter.
“And?”
“Derrick met with a man named Calvin Pierce shortly before the car was moved.”
I frowned.
“Who is Calvin Pierce?”
“A private security contractor who has worked for Derrick.”
My stomach tightened.
“Was he involved in the sale?”
“Investigators are determining that.”
I closed my eyes.
“Could he be the person following Jasmine?”
“It's possible. They're checking.”
For several days, we lived cautiously.
Jasmine stayed with Renee.
I moved into a guest room at a secure property owned by my company.
Felicia remained away from our home while attorneys worked through temporary occupancy arrangements.
I communicated with her only through Daniel.
Then something unexpected happened.
Derrick called me.
I almost ignored him.
But I answered.
“Marcus.”
His voice sounded strained.
“We need to talk.”
I stared at the phone.
“Talk to my attorney.”
“Please.”
Something about his tone made me pause.
He sounded frightened.
“What do you want?”
“Felicia isn't telling you everything.”
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Then tell me.”
He hesitated.
“I can't do it over the phone.”
I almost laughed.
“You think I'm meeting you privately after everything you've done?”
“No.”
He swallowed.
“I'll speak to your lawyer.”
I looked at the wall.
“Why now?”
His answer surprised me.
“Because Felicia is blaming everything on me.”
I leaned forward.
“What does that mean?”
“She says I took the car without permission.”
“Didn't you?”
He went quiet.
I waited.
Finally, he said, “She brought me the paperwork.”
I closed my eyes.
“And you knew Jasmine owned it.”
Silence.
“Derrick.”
“Yes.”
The admission made my stomach turn.
“You knew?”
He sighed.
“She said you wouldn't care.”
I gripped the phone.
“My daughter is eighteen years old. Her name is on the title.”
“I know.”
“And you helped sell it anyway.”
He said nothing.
Then he whispered, “There's more.”
My heart began pounding.
“What?”
“Felicia wanted access to the college trust.”
I closed my eyes.
“I know.”
“She wanted to move Jasmine out before the end of summer.”
I felt sick.
“Why?”
“Because she thought once Jasmine was gone, you'd change the estate documents.”
I stared at the wall.
Derrick continued.
“She thought you would make her the primary beneficiary.”
I could barely speak.
“She was willing to destroy my relationship with my daughter for money?”
Derrick exhaled.
“Marcus, she's been planning this for a long time.”
I stood.
“How long?”
“Almost a year.”
I closed my eyes.
A year.
A year of lies.
A year of manipulation.
A year of my daughter being pushed toward the door.
Then Derrick said something that made my blood run cold.
“She didn't plan to stop with the car.”
I gripped the phone.
“What else?”
He hesitated.
“She wanted Jasmine to sign a document saying she was financially independent and had received everything owed to her.”
I stared ahead.
“That wouldn't change her legal rights.”
“I know that now.”
My voice hardened.
“What was Felicia planning to do with it?”
“Use it to pressure you. And maybe convince the trustees to release money.”
I felt a bitter wave of anger.
Derrick continued.
“She wanted you to think Jasmine was ungrateful.”
I closed my eyes.
“Why?”
“So you'd stop defending her.”
The words landed heavily.
I remembered Felicia complaining whenever Jasmine came home late.
Accusing her of being selfish.
Claiming she only cared about money.
I had defended my daughter.
But perhaps not strongly enough.
I took a breath.
“Derrick, if you have evidence, give it to investigators.”
He hesitated.
Then said, “I kept messages.”
My pulse quickened.
“What kind?”
“Texts. Emails. Payment instructions.”
I looked toward the window.
“Then turn them over.”
He was silent.
Finally, he whispered, “I want a deal.”
I laughed bitterly.
“You helped steal from my daughter, and now you want protection?”
“I know.”
“Then start by telling the truth.”
He agreed to contact Daniel.
The following afternoon, Derrick met with investigators through his attorney.
He surrendered copies of messages and financial records.
Some showed Felicia instructing him to arrange the car sale.
Others discussed moving money from my company.
Several included conversations about creating false medical documentation.
I read the summaries with Daniel.
My hands were shaking.
Then he showed me one final message.
It was from Felicia to Derrick.
The date was six months earlier.
The words were simple.
Once Jasmine is out, Marcus will have nobody left to listen to.
I stared at the screen.
My breath caught.
All those years, Felicia had told me she wanted our family to become closer.
But what she really wanted was for my daughter to disappear from my life.
I sat back slowly.
Daniel watched me.
“Marcus?”
I swallowed.
“Can you make sure Jasmine never sees these messages?”
He nodded.
“We'll protect her from unnecessary details.”
I closed my eyes.
Then I asked the question that had been haunting me.
“Can I ever make this right?”
Daniel was silent.
Finally, he said, “You can't erase what happened.”
I looked at him.
“But you can make sure she never has to face it alone again.”
For the first time in days, I felt something steadier than anger.
Determination.
I couldn't change the past.
May you like
But I could protect my daughter's future.
And I was going to do exactly that.
