Chapter 7
The admissions officer's name was Dr. Melissa Grant.
She spoke gently, but she didn't make promises.
I appreciated that.
After everything I'd been through, empty reassurance frightened me almost as much as bad news.
We sat in Raymond's conference room with Dad beside me.
Dr. Grant reviewed my application.
She confirmed that the university had offered me admission.
She also explained that my acceptance deadline had passed and my place had been released.
My heart sank.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
She sounded surprised.
"Maya, why are you apologizing?"
I stared at my hands.
"Because I missed the deadline."
There was a pause.
Then she said, "We're aware there were unusual circumstances."
Raymond had provided documentation explaining the intercepted correspondence.
He hadn't asked the university to ignore its procedures.
He had requested a review.
Dr. Grant continued.
"Your academic record is excellent, Maya."
I looked up.
"You maintained strong grades while working part-time, volunteering, and managing difficult family circumstances."
My eyes burned.
Nobody at home had spoken about my achievements that way.
"We can't guarantee the original offer can be restored exactly as it was," she explained. "But we're reviewing whether a deferred admission or another available placement is possible."
I nodded quickly.
"Thank you."
"We'll also have financial aid review your circumstances again."
When the call ended, Dad squeezed my shoulder.
"You handled that beautifully."
I managed a small smile.
"She didn't say yes."
"No."
He looked at me.
"But she didn't say no."
For once, that was enough.
Later that week, my cardiologist called with the results of my heart monitor.
Dr. Wilson explained that the recordings showed episodes of supraventricular tachycardia, a condition involving an unusually fast heart rhythm.
She told me it was often treatable and that my evaluation so far was reassuring in several important ways.
We discussed treatment options, follow-up, and the possibility of a procedure if the episodes continued.
I listened carefully.
Dad asked every question he could think of.
When the appointment ended, I sat quietly.
He looked worried.
"How are you feeling?"
"Scared."
He nodded.
"Me too."
I looked at him.
He smiled gently.
"But we have a plan."
That was what made the difference.
I still had a medical problem.
But I wasn't alone in dealing with it.
Meanwhile, Denise was growing increasingly desperate.
She began calling Dad repeatedly.
He stopped answering direct calls and asked that legal matters go through the attorneys.
Then she started sending me messages.
The first said:
You have no idea what you've done to this family.
The second said:
Your father will eventually realize you're manipulating him.
The third was worse.
Your mother would be ashamed of how selfish you've become.
I stared at those words for a long time.
Then I showed Dad.
His face tightened.
"Block her."
I hesitated.
"What if she needs something?"
He looked at me.
"Maya, you're not responsible for Denise's emergencies."
I swallowed.
"She always said I was."
"I know."
He gently took my phone.
"May I?"
I nodded.
He saved the messages for the attorneys, then helped me block her number.
For the first time, I didn't feel guilty.
A few days later, Tasha came to visit.
She arrived carrying a paper bag from my favorite bakery.
Inside was a cinnamon roll.
I stared at it.
"How did you know?"
She smiled nervously.
"You used to buy one after your Saturday shifts."
I looked at her.
"You noticed that?"
"Yeah."
We sat on the porch.
The afternoon sun warmed the steps.
For a while, we talked about ordinary things.
College.
Music.
Work.
Then Tasha grew serious.
"Mom filed for temporary financial support."
I nodded.
"Dad told me."
"She says he's abandoning us."
I looked at her.
"Is he?"
Tasha shook her head.
"No."
She explained that Dad had arranged necessary support for the minor children through the legal process.
He hadn't tried to punish them for Denise's actions.
He simply refused to continue handing Denise unrestricted money.
Marcus and Jordan were staying with their grandmother temporarily.
Brianna, who was twelve, had been crying every night.
My chest tightened.
I remembered when Brianna was little.
She used to crawl into my bed during thunderstorms.
Before Denise started telling her I was jealous, we had been close.
"How is she?" I asked.
Tasha sighed.
"Confused."
I nodded.
"She's young."
"She misses you."
I looked away.
That hurt more than I expected.
Tasha continued.
"Mom keeps saying you hate all of us."
I shook my head.
"I don't hate Brianna."
"She knows."
For a moment, we sat in silence.
Then Tasha opened her handbag.
She removed a small velvet box.
My breath caught.
"What is that?"
She placed it in my hands.
"I found it in Mom's dresser before she left."
I opened the lid.
Inside was my mother's gold bracelet.
The delicate one engraved with the words Always My Girl.
I gasped.
I remembered wearing it for an hour on my tenth birthday before Mom gently put it away for safekeeping.
My fingers began trembling.
"Tasha."
She nodded.
"I thought you should have it."
Tears spilled down my cheeks.
I touched the engraving.
For years, I'd thought it was gone forever.
I looked at Tasha.
"Thank you."
She began crying.
"I know I can't undo what happened."
I closed the box.
"No."
She nodded.
"But I want to do better."
I studied her face.
Then I said something I'd been thinking for days.
"Don't just stand up for me now because everybody knows the truth."
She looked at me.
"Stand up for Brianna when nobody is watching."
Tasha wiped her eyes.
"I will."
That evening, Dad came home carrying a folder.
He looked tired.
But there was something different about him.
A small smile.
"Maya, sit down."
My heart jumped.
"What happened?"
He placed the folder on the table.
Raymond had received updated information from investigators.
Several assets connected to Carla's business were now under legal scrutiny.
A court had granted temporary restrictions concerning certain disputed property while the civil case proceeded.
Some missing jewelry had also been located.
I stared at him.
"Mom's ring?"
Dad nodded slowly.
"They believe they know where it is."
My eyes widened.
"Can we get it back?"
"Raymond is working on it."
I hugged him.
But then I noticed another envelope.
"What is that?"
Dad smiled.
"Open it."
The university's emblem was on the front.
My hands shook as I unfolded the letter.
I read the first paragraph.
Then I stopped.
I looked at Dad.
He nodded encouragingly.
I read it again.
The university had approved my deferred admission for the following academic term.
My place was secure, provided I completed the remaining standard requirements.
And a new financial aid review had been scheduled.
I covered my mouth.
"I got another chance."
Dad smiled through his tears.
"Yes, sweetheart."
I stood.
Then laughed.
Then cried.
Then hugged him so tightly that he nearly dropped the folder.
For years, Denise had made me feel small.
Now a university was giving me a chance to build my future.
A future I had almost lost.
I held the letter against my chest.
Then Dad's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
Raymond.
He answered.
Within seconds, his smile disappeared.
"What do you mean she wants to see Maya?"
My stomach tightened.
Dad listened.
Then said firmly, "Absolutely not without her consent."
He ended the call.
I stared at him.
"Who?"
He took a slow breath.
"Denise."
I felt cold.
"Why?"
Dad looked at me.
"She says she has something your mother left behind."
I shook my head.
"That doesn't make sense."
He nodded.
"I know."
May you like
Then he added the part that made my heart pound.
"She says she'll only return it if you meet her face-to-face."
