Chapter 2
I stood in my doorway holding paperwork that made absolutely no sense.
Brooks Family Transportation LLC.
My name appeared beside a financial obligation I had never approved.
My husband's signature appeared on the surrender authorization.
And Darius was listed as the vehicle custodian.
I looked at the tow driver.
"Is this even legal?"
He shifted uncomfortably.
"Ma'am, I can't determine that. I only have the paperwork the lender sent."
I pointed toward my name.
"I never signed a business guarantee."
He looked at the page.
"Then you should contact the lender immediately."
Marcus stepped forward.
"Nia, let's talk inside."
I turned toward him.
"No."
His jaw tightened.
"You're making a scene."
I almost laughed.
There were moments when anger became so deep that shouting felt useless.
I had reached one of those moments.
"You signed documents involving my car and my name. You're going to explain them right here."
Darius stood.
"Look, this isn't necessary."
I faced him.
"Then tell me why you're involved."
He looked at Marcus.
Again, that glance.
Again, that silent conversation.
I was tired of it.
"Stop looking at each other!"
Both men froze.
I turned to the driver.
"Can you leave the car here while I contact the lender?"
He shook his head.
"The order is active. I can't cancel it myself."
I swallowed.
"What can I do?"
"You can call the lender's recovery department. They can tell you what options are available."
I asked for the number.
He gave it to me.
Then I photographed every page.
I took pictures of the tow truck.
The license plate.
The documents.
And my car sitting helplessly behind the truck.
Marcus watched silently.
I looked at the driver.
"Do I have to sign this?"
"No, ma'am. Your signature would only acknowledge receipt. I can record that you declined."
"Then I'm declining."
He nodded.
"I'm sorry this happened."
I believed him.
He looked genuinely uncomfortable.
After he returned to the truck, I called the lender.
A woman named Denise answered.
I explained that I was the registered owner and that someone had submitted surrender paperwork without my authorization.
Her tone changed.
"Mrs. Brooks, are you saying you did not approve the surrender?"
"Exactly."
"Let me review the account."
I waited.
Marcus stood near the doorway.
Darius had returned to the sofa.
Neither said a word.
Finally, Denise came back.
"Mrs. Brooks, your account is seriously delinquent."
"I know that now."
She continued.
"However, I'm also seeing a voluntary surrender request submitted through an online account."
My stomach tightened.
"Whose account?"
"The request appears to have been submitted using your household contact information."
"By my husband?"
"I can't verify the identity of the person who submitted it from what I can see."
I closed my eyes.
"Please place a dispute on the record."
She agreed to document my claim.
She explained that I could request copies of the authorization and account history.
She also told me the vehicle might still be recovered through the lender's reinstatement or redemption process, depending on the contract and applicable rules.
I wrote everything down.
Then I asked the question that frightened me most.
"What is Brooks Family Transportation LLC?"
Denise hesitated.
"That's not the name of your original vehicle loan."
I looked toward Marcus.
"Then why is it on the paperwork?"
"I would need to refer that question to our documentation team."
I thanked her.
Then I ended the call.
Outside, the tow truck began moving.
I watched my car disappear down the street.
My chest tightened.
That car had carried me through some of the hardest days of my life.
It took me to nursing school.
To my first hospital interview.
To my mother's appointments before she died.
And now it was gone.
I closed the door slowly.
Then I turned toward Marcus.
"Sit down."
He frowned.
"Nia—"
"Sit."
Something in my voice made him obey.
Darius remained standing.
I looked at him.
"You too."
He folded his arms.
"I'm not a child."
"Then act like an adult and tell me the truth."
He sat.
I placed the paperwork on the coffee table.
"Start talking."
Marcus rubbed his face.
"Darius was starting a business."
I looked at his brother.
"What business?"
"A delivery company," Darius answered.
I glanced at the takeout containers.
"With what vehicles?"
He looked annoyed.
"We were going to purchase two vans."
"With whose money?"
He didn't answer.
Marcus stepped in.
"We applied for financing."
I stared at him.
"We?"
He nodded.
"Darius needed a co-signer."
I felt cold.
"So you signed?"
"Yes."
"And where do I come into this?"
He looked down.
I leaned forward.
"Marcus."
He whispered, "The lender wanted additional income verification."
My heart started pounding.
"What does that mean?"
"I submitted our household income."
I stared at him.
"My salary?"
He nodded.
I couldn't believe it.
"You used my nursing income for your brother's business?"
Marcus looked defensive.
"We're married."
"That does not mean you can sign financial documents in my name!"
Darius suddenly spoke.
"Nobody was trying to hurt you."
I turned.
"Then why didn't anyone tell me?"
He looked away.
I pointed toward the paperwork.
"Why am I listed as a guarantor?"
Marcus sighed.
"The application needed another signature."
My entire body went cold.
"Whose signature?"
He didn't answer.
I slowly stood.
"Marcus, did you sign my name?"
He looked up.
His eyes were filled with fear.
"I thought we'd be able to repay everything before you found out."
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
My husband had forged my signature.
I stepped backward.
Darius muttered, "Man, you weren't supposed to say it like that."
I turned toward him.
"What?"
He went silent.
I looked between them.
"You both knew?"
Marcus covered his face.
Darius stared at the table.
My hands shook so badly I had to grip the back of a chair.
"How much money did you borrow?"
Marcus whispered, "Forty-eight thousand."
I felt the room tilt.
"Forty-eight thousand dollars?"
He nodded.
I stared at him.
"And you used my name?"
"I'm sorry."
I shook my head.
"No."
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
"You're not sorry because you did it. You're sorry because I found out."
Marcus stood.
"Baby, please."
I stepped away.
"Don't call me that."
Then I pointed toward Darius.
"Where did the money go?"
Darius looked uncomfortable.
"Business expenses."
"What expenses?"
He didn't answer.
I stared at him.
"You don't even have the vans, do you?"
Silence.
Then Marcus whispered, "The deal fell through."
I closed my eyes.
Forty-eight thousand dollars.
My signature.
My car.
My credit.
Everything I had worked for was suddenly at risk.
Then my phone vibrated.
An email from my bank appeared.
The subject line made my stomach drop.
URGENT: UNUSUAL ACTIVITY ON YOUR ACCOUNT.
I opened it.
A transfer of $9,800 had been initiated from my personal savings.
The destination account was listed under Brooks Family Transportation LLC.
I looked up.
Marcus was staring at me.
May you like
Darius slowly lowered his head.
And I realized the car wasn't the only thing they had taken.
