Chapter 8: The Woman Outside the Door
Dad and I turned at the same time.
The knock came again.
Three slow taps.
The bank manager looked confused.
“I wasn’t expecting anyone else.””
My father stood.
“Don’t open it.””
The manager hesitated.
But before anyone could move, the door opened.
Vanessa walked inside.
My heart dropped.
“What are you doing here?””
She looked at Dad.
“We need to talk.””
Dad stepped between us.
“No.””
Her eyes moved toward the computer screen.
“You watched the video.””
I felt a chill.
“How did you know?””
Vanessa didn’t answer.
Dad’s voice became sharp.
“How did you know we were here?””
She looked uncomfortable.
“I followed you.””
“You followed us?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because you were going to find out the truth without hearing my side.””
I almost laughed.
“Your side?””
Vanessa looked at me.
“Yes.””
The anger in her eyes surprised me.
Not guilt.
Anger.
“You think I wanted this?””
Dad stared.
“You created fake documents.””
“I was desperate.””
“You stole my daughter’s ticket.””
“I was trying to stop you from leaving before I could explain.””
I shook my head.
“That makes no sense.””
She looked at me.
“You have no idea what your mother was involved in.””
My father’s face hardened.
“Don’t use my wife to justify what you did.””
Vanessa reached into her purse.
She pulled out a folder.
“I knew you wouldn’t believe me.””
She placed it on the table.
Inside were copies of emails.
Bank records.
Documents.
Dad looked through them.
Then stopped.
“What is this?””
Vanessa said nothing.
I leaned closer.
The documents showed payments.
Large amounts of money.
Sent from an account connected to someone named David.
Dad looked confused.
“What does this prove?””
Vanessa pointed.
“Look at the dates.””
He did.
Then his expression changed.
The payments started before my mother died.
But they continued after.
My stomach twisted.
“David was paying someone?””
Vanessa nodded.
“Yes.””
Dad looked at her.
“Who?””
Vanessa stared at me.
That scared me.
Because I knew the answer was going to hurt.
“You.””
I froze.
“What?””
She pointed at the records.
“These payments were for Maya.””
Dad shook his head.
“That’s impossible.””
“No.””
Vanessa’s voice softened.
“Your daughter was the reason your wife made all these arrangements.””
I looked at the documents.
I didn’t understand.
“What kind of arrangements?””
Vanessa looked at Dad.
“Your wife knew she might not survive.””
Dad went quiet.
“She created a trust.””
I frowned.
“A trust?””
“For Maya.””
Dad looked confused.
“Then why hide it?””
Vanessa looked at him.
“Because she didn’t trust you.””
Those words hit hard.
Dad stepped back.
“That’s not true.””
“She thought you would let someone else control everything.””
“Who?””
Vanessa didn’t answer.
Instead, she looked at me.
“Your mother was afraid of one person.””
The room became silent.
“Who?””
Vanessa slowly opened another document.
It was a copy of a legal agreement.
At the bottom was a signature.
My father’s signature.
Again.
But this time, the date was different.
It was from before my mother died.
Dad stared.
“I never signed this.””
Vanessa whispered:
“That’s exactly what your wife discovered.””
I looked at Dad.
“What is it?””
He read the title.
Then his face went completely pale.
“This is a guardianship transfer.””
My heart stopped.
“For who?””
Dad looked at the paper.
Then at me.
The answer came out in a whisper.
“For Maya.””
The door suddenly opened again.
The bank manager rushed in.
“I’m sorry, but there’s a problem.””
Dad looked up.
“What problem?””
The manager held a document.
“Someone just accessed this safety deposit box record remotely.””
My father stood.
“Who?””
The manager looked at the paper.
Then said:
“The authorized user listed on the account.””
Everyone froze.
Dad frowned.
“That’s impossible.””
The manager slowly looked at me.
“Because the authorized user is…”
He stopped.
May you like
Then finished:
“Vanessa Carter.””
