Chapter 8: Ryan’s Last Chance
I didn’t believe her.
Not at first.
Ryan?
The same person who stayed silent while my parents planned to take my house?
The same person who admitted he didn’t ask questions?
He recorded them?
“That doesn’t make sense,” I told Miranda.
“I know.””
“Why would he do that?””
“I don’t know.””
I looked out the window.
The house was quiet again.
But now it felt different.
Like every room held a secret.
“Where is the recording?””
“Ryan has it.””
I closed my eyes.
Of course he did.
The one person who could answer everything was the person I trusted the least.
An hour later, Ryan showed up.
No excuses.
No dramatic entrance.
Just a tired man holding a small flash drive.
“I owe you the truth.””
I didn’t invite him inside.
“Then start talking.””
He nodded.
“I recorded the meeting three months ago.””
“Why?””
He looked down.
“Because I heard Dad and Mom arguing.””
“About what?””
“About money.””
He swallowed.
“Dad was angry because the company was falling apart.””
I crossed my arms.
“And then?””
“He said he needed access to your property.””
The words made my hands go cold.
Ryan looked at me.
“I didn’t understand what he meant.””
“But you recorded it.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
He looked ashamed.
“Because I knew something was wrong.””
I wanted to be angry.
But there was something in his face.
Regret.
Real regret.
“Play it.””
We sat in the living room.
Ryan connected the drive to his laptop.
The audio began.
At first, there was only background noise.
Then my mother’s voice.
“We can’t keep asking Ryan to survive like this.””
My father answered.
“I know.””
“He needs a stable home.””
“He needs more than that.””
A pause.
Then David’s voice.
“Then we use Jenna’s property.””
I stopped breathing.
Ryan looked at me.
I kept listening.
My father spoke.
“She won’t agree.””
David laughed softly.
“She doesn’t have to.””
The room became silent.
Even Ryan looked sick hearing it again.
The recording continued.
My mother sounded nervous.
“What if she finds out?””
David answered calmly.
“By then, the documents will already be processed.””
I covered my mouth.
They had planned everything.
Every detail.
Every lie.
Then came the sentence that hurt the most.
My father’s voice.
“She’s always been strong. She’ll recover.””
I stared at the floor.
Recover.
Like I was an object.
Like losing everything was just another inconvenience.
Ryan stopped the recording.
“I’m sorry.””
I didn’t respond.
Because sorry was too small.
Too late.
“You heard this three months ago.””
“Yes.””
“And you still moved in.””
His eyes filled with shame.
“I thought I could fix it.””
“You couldn’t even tell me.””
“I was scared.””
I looked at him.
“Everyone was scared.””
My voice was quiet.
“But somehow, I was the one who was supposed to lose everything.””
Ryan nodded.
“I know.””
For the first time, he didn’t defend himself.
That mattered.
But it didn’t erase anything.
My phone rang.
Miranda.
I answered.
“Jenna, I have an update.””
“What happened?””
“The police contacted me.””
My heart stopped.
“Why?””
“Because David Collins filed a complaint.””
I frowned.
“Against who?””
A pause.
Then:
“You.””
I stood.
“What?””
“He claims you illegally obtained private documents and are attempting to damage his reputation.””
I almost laughed.
“They’re trying to make me the criminal?””
“Yes.””
Ryan stood immediately.
“That’s insane.””
Miranda continued.
“But there’s a problem for them.””
“What?””
“The recording.””
I looked at Ryan.
“It proves intent.””
“Yes.””
“Then why would David do this?””
Miranda hesitated.
“Because he’s trying to get ahead of something.””
“What something?””
Her voice lowered.
“I found another transfer.””
I felt exhausted.
“What now?””
“The company money your father moved into your account wasn’t the only transaction.””
I waited.
“Someone else received money after the house purchase.””
“Who?””
Miranda didn’t answer right away.
Then she said:
“Ryan.””
I looked at my brother.
His face went completely pale.
“No,” he whispered.
May you like
But Miranda continued.
“Jenna, I think your brother was paid to stay quiet.””
