Chapter 6

For the first time in my life, I was afraid of my eighteenth birthday.

I'd spent years looking forward to becoming an adult.

Graduating high school.

Going to college.

Having my own apartment someday.

Making decisions without needing permission.

But now I knew Denise had been waiting for that birthday too.

Someone had included my name in financial documents connected to a loan I knew nothing about.

I stared at Rachel.

"Could they make me responsible when I turn eighteen?"

She shook her head.

"Not automatically. An application cannot create a valid obligation simply because someone lists your name. But the attempted use of your identity is serious."

I exhaled.

"Okay."

She continued.

"We'll make sure the appropriate institutions know you did not authorize these documents."

Dad nodded.

"Whatever it takes."

Rachel looked at me.

"Maya, I also recommend reviewing your credit information and keeping your personal documents secure."

I nodded.

For months, Denise had treated me like a child when I asked questions.

Now I was learning how important those questions were.

I wanted to understand everything.

Not because I enjoyed financial paperwork.

Because I never wanted someone to use my ignorance against me again.

After the meeting, Dad and I went to lunch.

We sat in a quiet restaurant near Rachel's office.

He ordered a sandwich.

I ordered soup.

For several minutes, neither of us spoke.

Then he looked at me.

"Sweetheart, I need to ask you something."

I nodded.

"Okay."

"Have you been afraid of Denise?"

My spoon stopped.

I looked down.

He waited.

Finally, I whispered, "Sometimes."

His expression changed.

"How long?"

I swallowed.

"Years."

Dad closed his eyes.

Tears gathered beneath his lashes.

I continued.

"She used to tell me you would get tired of defending me."

My throat tightened.

"She said if I caused problems between you, you'd eventually choose her."

Dad covered his face.

I kept talking.

Because for the first time, he was truly listening.

"She told me I was selfish for missing Mom."

His eyes filled.

"She said I needed to stop acting like a child."

I wiped my cheeks.

"And whenever I asked for something, she reminded me how expensive it was to raise me."

Dad reached across the table.

"I'm so sorry."

I looked at him.

"I didn't tell you because I thought you'd be disappointed."

He shook his head.

"Never."

I swallowed.

"I thought if I became easier to live with, maybe she'd finally like me."

My father's face crumpled.

He stood and moved beside me.

Then he hugged me.

I cried against his shoulder.

For years, I'd been trying to earn the approval of someone who'd already decided I was an obstacle.

Now I understood something.

I wasn't responsible for Denise's feelings.

And I wasn't responsible for keeping my father's marriage together.

Dad held me until I stopped crying.

Then he whispered, "I should have noticed."

I nodded.

"Yes."

He looked surprised by my honesty.

But I continued.

"I know you love me. I just needed you to see what was happening."

He closed his eyes.

"You're right."

For the first time, I felt the possibility of rebuilding our relationship.

Not by pretending nothing happened.

But by acknowledging it.

That evening, Dad contacted a family-law attorney.

He began discussing separation from Denise.

I wasn't involved in those negotiations.

And for once, I didn't feel responsible for solving the adults' problems.

I focused on school.

My job.

And preparing for college.

Grandma helped me update my financial aid information.

Rachel arranged an educational meeting with the trust administrator.

I learned which expenses the trust could cover.

How distributions were approved.

And what changes would happen when I turned eighteen.

The more I understood, the less frightened I became.

Then one afternoon, Denise approached me outside the school gates.

I froze when I saw her champagne-colored car.

She stepped out wearing sunglasses.

"Maya."

I stopped walking.

"What are you doing here?"

She folded her arms.

"We need to talk."

I glanced toward the school entrance.

Several students were nearby.

I felt uncomfortable.

"About what?"

She looked annoyed.

"Your father has completely lost his mind."

I took a breath.

"Then talk to him."

She stepped closer.

"You don't understand what you've done."

My chest tightened.

"What I've done?"

She lowered her voice.

"You've destroyed my marriage."

I stared at her.

For a moment, the old guilt returned.

Then I remembered Rachel's advice.

I didn't have to argue.

I didn't have to defend myself.

I could simply leave.

"Denise, I'm going back inside."

She grabbed my wrist.

"Don't walk away from me."

I pulled free.

"Let go."

Several students turned.

Denise lowered her voice.

"If you don't convince your father to stop this investigation, everyone will lose."

I stared at her.

"Why?"

She looked frightened.

Then quickly recovered.

"Because legal battles are expensive."

I took a slow breath.

"If you didn't do anything wrong, let the records show that."

Her expression hardened.

"You sound just like your mother."

I felt my chest tighten.

Then I answered.

"Thank you."

For a moment, she looked stunned.

I turned and walked back toward the school.

My hands shook.

But I didn't cry.

Not until I reached the counselor's office.

There, I explained what happened.

The counselor contacted Dad.

He arrived within thirty minutes.

When he saw me, he immediately hugged me.

"You okay?"

I nodded.

"Yeah."

But my voice broke.

He held me tighter.

Then he said something that changed everything.

"Denise won't be contacting you privately anymore."

I looked up.

"Promise?"

He nodded.

"Promise."

That night, Rachel called.

The bank had completed an initial review of the suspicious property loan.

Some documents appeared inconsistent with the trust's restrictions.

The lender was cooperating with the investigation.

And a separate financial inquiry had begun into Carter Residential Holdings.

Dad listened carefully.

Then he asked, "What happens next?"

Rachel paused.

"That depends on what the records establish."

I sat beside him.

For the first time, I wasn't trembling.

I wanted the truth.

Even if it hurt.

Then Rachel continued.

"There's another development."

My stomach tightened.

"What?"

"Victor Lane has contacted investigators through his attorney."

Dad sat upright.

"And?"

"He says Denise provided him with the signed authorization documents."

I stared at the phone.

May you like

My sister sl@pped my four-year-old daughter at family dinner and claimed...

The Dinner That Exposed My Wife's Cruelest Secret

She said there was no money for his daughter—then Dad saw the brand-new...

Then Rachel added the sentence that made my heart race.

"And he claims she knew the signatures weren't genuine."