Chapter 4: Two Tickets and Another Lie
Daniel moved between Victor and the children.
“You have ten seconds to explain why you’re here.”
Victor glanced at Vanessa.
“You didn’t tell him?”
“She didn’t tell us anything,” Julian said.
Victor held up the tickets.
“Vanessa and I are leaving Friday.
Julian was supposed to decide whether he wanted to come.”
Vanessa rushed toward him.
“Stop talking.”
“No.
You said Daniel would blame you, and clearly he already does.”
Daniel’s fingers tightened around the phone.
“Did you receive the fifty thousand dollars?”
Victor smiled without warmth.
“Vanessa repaid an old debt.”
“With my daughter’s college fund?”
“That account had your name on it, not Maya’s.”
Maya stepped from behind Daniel.
“Every birthday check I received went into that account.
Every summer paycheck too.”
Victor shrugged.
“Then discuss it with your mother.”
“She is not my mother,” Maya said.
“Not after today.”
Vanessa’s face hardened.
“Don’t be dramatic.”
Julian stepped in front of his sister.
“Don’t speak to her like that.”
Victor studied him.
“You have your mother’s temper.”
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know I’m your father.”
“No.
You’re a stranger holding tickets bought with my sister’s future.”
Victor’s smile vanished.
“Careful, son.”
“Don’t call me that.”
Daniel lifted Vanessa’s phone.
“Why were the messages deleted?”
Victor reached for it.
“Private business.”
Daniel stepped back.
“Touch this phone, and the conversation ends with the authorities.”
“Call them,” Victor said.
“Vanessa transferred the money willingly.”
Vanessa seized his sleeve.
“We agreed not to make a scene.”
“You made the scene when you lied about your mother.”
Daniel looked from one to the other.
“So Ruth was never involved?”
Victor laughed.
“Her contact name was convenient.”
Ruth’s number had remained under her full name.
Vanessa had saved Victor’s private number as MOM so Daniel would not question late calls.
Julian pulled his own phone from his pocket and tapped the screen.
“Say that again.”
Vanessa stared at him.
“Are you recording us?”
“I am now.”
She lunged toward the phone, but Maya caught Julian’s arm and pulled him back.
Victor’s voice dropped.
“Delete it.”
“No.”
“You have no idea what you’re interfering with.”
“I’m interfering with two people who took eighty-five thousand dollars.”
“The car was for you,” Vanessa said.
Julian shook his head.
“It was a bribe.”
Victor moved close enough that Daniel could smell coffee on his breath.
“You raised my son.
Be grateful I let you.”
Daniel did not move.
“Julian isn’t property.
He chooses who his family is.”
“And Maya chose an expensive university,” Vanessa said.
“Maybe she should choose something cheaper.”
Maya’s mouth opened, but no sound came.
Daniel turned on Vanessa.
“You will never speak about her dreams as if they’re an inconvenience again.”
Vanessa folded her arms.
“You cannot order me around.”
“No.
But I can protect both children from you.”
Victor took the car keys from the ground.
“We’re done here.”
Julian pointed at the sports car.
“The dealer can have it back.”
“They won’t take it,” Victor said.
“It’s registered in my name.”
Vanessa stared at him.
“You said it was in Julian’s.”
“I changed the paperwork.”
“You promised me.”
Victor slipped the keys into his pocket.
“Promises change.”
Daniel’s phone vibrated.
A bank alert appeared across the screen: ACCESS SUSPENDED—SECURITY REVIEW.
A second alert followed.
HOME-EQUITY ADVANCE REQUESTED: $120,000.
Daniel looked at Vanessa.
“Where is my laptop?”
She said nothing.
May you like
Victor opened the side gate and smiled.
“By the time you find it, the house may not belong to you either.”
