Chapter 2: The Face on My Identity Document
I couldn’t move.
The kitchen suddenly felt too small.
The sound of the refrigerator humming was louder than everything else.
I looked from my phone to Vanessa.
Then back to the screen.
The document showed a government ID.
My name.
My address.
My birthday.
But the picture belonged to someone else.
Vanessa.
My stepmother’s face was staring back at me from a document that was supposed to prove I was me.
“Emily?”” my father said.
I didn’t answer.
I turned the phone toward him.
“What is this?””
Daniel’s face changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
Fear.
Vanessa immediately stepped forward.
“Let me see that.””
“No.””
Her eyes narrowed.
“Emily, give me the phone.””
I held it tighter.
“You already took my money. You already used my name. Now you’re using my identity?””
Daniel stood between us.
“Stop accusing people without knowing the whole story.””
I looked at him.
“The whole story?””
I pointed at the screen.
“Then explain this.””
He didn’t.
Vanessa’s calm attitude started cracking.
“You’re being dramatic.””
“Dramatic?””
I laughed.
“My bank account was emptied. A car loan was created under my name. Now there’s a $15,000 loan with your photo attached.””
She looked away.
That was enough.
I grabbed my jacket.
“I’m calling the bank.””
Daniel immediately stepped forward.
“No.””
The word came too quickly.
I stopped.
“Why?””
His expression changed.
“Because we can handle this as a family.””
I stared at him.
“That’s what you call this?””
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“You’re acting like we robbed a stranger.””
“You did.””
“You’re our daughter.””
I shook my head.
“No. I’m the person whose name you used.””
The room went silent.
For years, I had tried to make this house feel like home.
When Vanessa married my father, I was fourteen. I thought she would become someone I could trust. I thought maybe I was lucky to have another parent figure.
But slowly, things changed.
My clothes became “too expensive.””
My hobbies became “wastes of money.””
Every time I needed something, I was reminded how much the household provided for me.
I just never imagined they were keeping score.
Daniel sat down.
“Emily, listen.””
I crossed my arms.
“I’m listening.””
He looked exhausted.
“The SUV wasn’t supposed to hurt you.””
I stared at him.
“You bought a luxury vehicle.””
“We needed transportation.””
“You needed transportation, so you took my savings?””
His eyes dropped.
Vanessa answered for him.
“The car benefits everyone.””
“No. It benefits you.””
Her face hardened.
“You have no idea what adults have to sacrifice.””
I stepped closer.
“And you have no idea what I sacrificed.””
That finally made her quiet.
I called the bank.
The representative asked security questions.
My hands shook as I answered.
Then the woman on the phone became silent.
“Ms. Carter, there is something else you should know.””
My heart sank.
“What?””
“There were multiple applications submitted.””
I looked at Daniel.
“How many?””
The woman hesitated.
“Three.””
I felt dizzy.
“Three?””
“Yes. One vehicle loan. One personal loan. And one credit account.””
I covered my mouth.
Daniel stood up.
“Emily, please.””
I looked at him.
“No.””
My voice came out quieter than I expected.
“I need to know something.””
He looked nervous.
“What?””
“How long have you been using my information?””
Nobody answered.
Then Vanessa walked toward the folder on the table.
She picked it up quickly.
Too quickly.
I noticed something sticking out from underneath.
A second document.
I reached for it.
Vanessa pulled it away.
“Give me that.””
I froze.
Because written across the top were four words.
May you like
Words that made my blood run cold.
“Previous identity verification records.””
