Chapter 6
I read Darius's message aloud.
Arthur closed his eyes.
Rochelle shook her head.
“Absolutely not.”
I stared at the phone.
For the first time, Darius's words didn't make me feel chosen.
They made me feel used.
He wanted a meeting.
He wanted secrecy.
And he wanted me to believe that Arthur was an obstacle.
I took a breath.
“I'm not going alone.”
Arthur looked up.
“What are you thinking?”
“I want to find out what he's doing.”
Rochelle leaned forward.
“Maya, don't let him pressure you into signing anything.”
“I won't.”
Arthur studied me.
“Then let's speak to someone who understands these documents first.”
That afternoon, we met with Patricia Wells, the attorney who had handled my mother's estate.
She was a calm woman in her sixties with silver-framed glasses.
I had met her several times as a teenager.
She remembered my mother fondly.
“Elena wanted you to have choices,” Patricia told me.
“She worked hard to leave you something for your education.”
My throat tightened.
“I know.”
Patricia reviewed the messages and the online advertisement.
Then she examined the old loan agreement.
Her expression grew serious.
“Darius cannot truthfully claim he personally funded your education based on these records.”
I nodded.
“And he's using my photograph.”
“We can address the unauthorized use of your image and any misleading financial claims through appropriate channels.”
Rochelle leaned forward.
“What about the investment?”
Patricia studied the advertisement again.
“I would not attend a private financial meeting without understanding exactly what is being offered.”
I looked at her.
“Can you come with me?”
She nodded.
“If Darius agrees to a properly documented meeting, I can attend as your counsel.”
Relief washed over me.
For once, I didn't have to face him alone.
I sent Darius a message.
I'm willing to discuss your proposal, but my attorney will attend.
His response came almost immediately.
Why do you need a lawyer to talk to your own father?
I stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
Arthur put you up to this.
I closed my eyes.
Darius hadn't even asked whether I was comfortable.
He immediately blamed Arthur.
I typed carefully.
This is my decision.
Several minutes passed.
Then he replied.
Fine. Tomorrow at two.
I showed Patricia.
She arranged for the meeting to take place in her office.
When I told Arthur, he nodded.
“Good.”
I looked at him.
“Aren't you going to ask me not to go?”
He considered the question.
“I don't like what Darius is doing. But you're an adult, Maya. My job is to help you make informed decisions, not control them.”
I felt tears rising.
Darius had spent six months telling me Arthur was controlling.
But Arthur was the one respecting my choices.
The following afternoon, Darius arrived twenty minutes late.
He wore an expensive dark suit and sunglasses.
A gold watch flashed beneath his sleeve.
He walked into Patricia's office smiling.
“There's my girl!”
I remained seated.
He leaned down to hug me.
I allowed it, but I didn't hug him tightly.
He noticed.
His smile faded.
“What's wrong, princess?”
Patricia stood.
“Mr. Williams, I'm Patricia Wells, Maya's attorney.”
Darius shook her hand reluctantly.
Then he sat.
“All right. Let's make this quick. I've got another appointment.”
I stared at him.
He had left my graduation early.
Now he was rushing through a meeting he requested.
Patricia placed the advertisement on the table.
“Mr. Williams, can you explain the purpose of this foundation?”
Darius smiled.
“It's simple. I want to help young people get educated.”
“And Maya's role?”
He turned toward me.
“My daughter is proof of what a committed father can accomplish.”
I felt sick.
Patricia remained calm.
“Did you personally pay for Maya's nursing education?”
Darius hesitated.
“I supported her.”
“Financially?”
He shifted in his chair.
“I've been involved in her life.”
I spoke before Patricia could ask another question.
“For six months.”
Darius stared at me.
“What?”
“You came back six months ago.”
His jaw tightened.
“Maya, this isn't the place to discuss family problems.”
I looked directly at him.
“Then stop using our family problems to raise money.”
He leaned back.
“You don't understand business.”
“Then explain it.”
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Finally, he opened his briefcase.
He removed a glossy presentation and placed it on the table.
The proposal described an education-focused investment company.
It claimed that investors would help fund training programs while receiving financial returns.
My graduation photograph appeared on the second page.
So did a statement attributed to me.
My father's support made my dreams possible.
I stared at the words.
“I never said that.”
Darius shrugged.
“It's just marketing.”
My hands shook.
“You put words in my mouth.”
“Don't be dramatic.”
Patricia raised her hand.
“Mr. Williams, we need to know whether you have used Maya's name or signature on any financial documents.”
Darius's expression changed.
“Why would you ask that?”
“Because the proposal suggests she is participating in the company.”
He looked toward me.
“Maya, tell your lawyer to relax.”
I didn't move.
Patricia continued.
“Have you submitted any documents identifying Maya as an investor, officer, or guarantor?”
Darius stood abruptly.
“This meeting is over.”
My heart pounded.
“Dad, answer the question.”
He turned toward me.
“You're embarrassing me.”
The words struck painfully.
Just as I had embarrassed Arthur.
But this time, I refused to apologize for asking a reasonable question.
“Did you use my name?”
Darius grabbed his briefcase.
“I don't have to explain myself to people who don't understand loyalty.”
He walked toward the door.
Then he stopped.
“Maya, you can either be part of my future or stay trapped in that little life Arthur built for you.”
I stared at him.
Arthur's little life.
The life that gave me a home.
An education.
Safety.
Love.
I stood.
“I choose the life where people tell me the truth.”
Darius's face hardened.
“You'll regret turning against me.”
Then he left.
The office fell silent.
I sank into my chair.
Patricia looked concerned.
“Maya, there's something I need to check.”
I looked up.
“What?”
She opened a business registration database on her computer.
After several minutes, her expression changed.
She turned the screen toward me.
A company connected to Darius listed me as a member.
My name.
My address.
And an electronic signature I had never authorized.
I stared at it.
May you like
Then Patricia said the words that made my stomach turn.
“Maya, it appears your father may have used your identity without your permission.”
