Chapter 6: The Deal She Made Behind My Back
The next morning, I woke up before my alarm.
I barely slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Mom’s car disappearing from the driveway.
I saw Vanessa smiling like it meant nothing.
I saw the papers.
The signatures.
The lies.
But the worst part was knowing this had been happening quietly.
While I was trying to finish school.
While I was grieving.
Someone had been making decisions about my life without me.
Downstairs, I heard voices.
Dad and Vanessa.
I walked toward the kitchen.
They didn’t notice me at first.
“You need to tell her everything,” Dad said.
Vanessa’s voice was sharp.
“There’s nothing else.””
“You said that yesterday.””
“Because there isn’t.””
Dad placed something on the table.
“Then explain this.””
I stepped into the room.
They both turned.
Dad looked tired.
Vanessa looked angry.
“What is it?””
Dad handed me a document.
“This came from the dealership.””
I read it.
My stomach dropped.
The SUV financing agreement.
Then I saw my name.
Not as the owner.
As collateral.
I looked up.
“What does this mean?””
Nobody answered.
I looked at Vanessa.
“What did you do?””
She crossed her arms.
“It was temporary.””
“Temporary?””
“You were going to benefit from it.””
I laughed.
A small, shocked laugh.
“Benefit?””
She nodded.
“Madison needed transportation. The family needed stability.””
“My name was used.””
“You weren’t losing anything.””
I stared at her.
“You used my inheritance as security.””
“It was only paperwork.””
“No.””
My voice became stronger.
“It was my life.””
Dad stepped between us.
“Vanessa, you need to understand something.””
She looked at him.
“What?””
“You didn’t borrow Emily’s property.””
He pointed toward the document.
“You risked it.””
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“You’re exaggerating.””
Dad looked at her.
“No. I’m finally paying attention.””
That hurt her.
I could see it.
Because she expected him to defend her.
Like always.
But this time, he didn’t.
Madison walked into the kitchen.
She looked like she hadn’t slept either.
“Mom.””
Vanessa looked at her.
“What?””
Madison swallowed.
“I called the dealership.””
Vanessa’s face changed.
“Why would you do that?””
“Because I wanted to know what happened.””
She looked at me.
“I didn’t know.””
I believed her.
For the first time, I believed her.
Madison looked at her mother.
“They said the down payment came from an account connected to Emily.””
Vanessa said nothing.
Madison’s eyes filled.
“You lied to me.””
Vanessa’s expression softened slightly.
“Madison…”
“No.””
My stepsister shook her head.
“You made me think I earned this.””
Nobody spoke.
Then Dad’s phone rang.
He answered.
“Hello?””
His expression changed after only a few seconds.
“Yes, this is Daniel Carter.””
A pause.
Then:
“Send everything.””
He ended the call.
“What was that?”” I asked.
Dad looked at me.
“The bank.””
My heart started racing.
“What did they say?””
He took a deep breath.
“They found more transactions.””
Vanessa went pale.
Dad looked directly at her.
“Your mother’s account wasn’t the only thing you accessed.””
The kitchen became silent.
“What else?”” I whispered.
Dad reached into his briefcase and pulled out a folder.
He opened it.
Inside was a list.
Dates.
Amounts.
Names.
Then he pushed it toward me.
At the top was a sentence that made my blood run cold.
“Unauthorized transfers from Emily Carter’s education fund.””
I looked at Vanessa.
She looked back at me.
May you like
And this time…
She didn’t deny it.
