Chapter 6: Six Years of Missing Money
David sat across from Aaliyah in a private conference room.
“Your mother left a custodial savings account for you,” he said.
“It was meant for school, medical needs, and your first home.”
“How much was in it?”
“Forty-eight thousand dollars.”
Aaliyah gripped the edge of the table.
“Where is it now?”
David pushed an old statement toward her.
“Almost empty.”
“You knew?”
“I signed the first withdrawal.
Vanessa said it was for renovations so you and Mia could have separate bedrooms.”
“We already had separate bedrooms.”
“I discovered that later.”
“And you did nothing?”
“I demanded repayment.
Vanessa said she would leave and take Mia.
I backed down.”
Aaliyah stood so quickly that her chair tipped.
“You didn’t lose my money, Dad.
You handed it to her.”
Vanessa entered with Martin behind her.
“Enough of this performance,” she said.
“That account paid family expenses.”
Evelyn held up the statement.
“A family expense called Bellissima Jewelers?”
“It was an anniversary gift.”
“Paid for with my mother’s money,” Aaliyah said.
Vanessa placed a folder on the table.
“I came to make an offer.
Drop the bank complaint, and I will ensure your college deposit is paid today.”
“With my own money?”
“With family money.”
“There is no family money.
There is money you took and money you tried to take.”
Vanessa leaned closer.
“If you continue this, Mia will be questioned.
Her school will hear about the dress and the messages.
Do you want to destroy her future too?”
Mia entered behind her mother.
“Stop using me.”
Vanessa turned.
“I am protecting you.”
“You made me ruin Aaliyah’s dress.”
“I told you to teach her a lesson.”
“You promised me a car.”
“You misunderstood.”
Mia placed her phone on the table.
“Then maybe I misunderstood this too.”
She played another recording.
Vanessa’s voice filled the room.
“If anyone asks, say Aaliyah came at you first.
Your stepfather always believes the person who cries.”
David closed his eyes.
Mia looked at Aaliyah.
“I was cruel to you.
But she taught me exactly which lie would work.”
Vanessa snatched for the phone.
Mia pulled it back.
“You ungrateful little girl.”
“No, Mom.
I’m finally telling the truth.”
Martin moved toward the door.
Helen entered with a bank security officer.
“Mr.
Cole, please remain here.”
“I have another appointment.”
“Your notary record contains no identification number for Aaliyah,” Helen said.
“It also lists a seal that expired eight months ago.”
Martin looked at Vanessa.
“You said the bank wouldn’t check that.”
Vanessa’s face tightened.
“I have no idea what he means.”
“You paid me five thousand dollars,” Martin said.
“You’re lying to save yourself.”
Evelyn slid printed messages across the table.
“The tablet backup shows you arranging the payment.”
Vanessa looked at David.
“If I go down, you do too.
Your signature authorized the old withdrawals.”
David sat upright.
“Then I’ll answer for what I signed.”
“You could lose your house.”
“Then I lose it.”
“You’ll choose Aaliyah now, after letting me build your entire life?”
David looked at his daughter.
“I should have chosen her six years ago.”
Vanessa swept the folder from the table.
Papers scattered across the floor.
“You think this is over?” she said.
“I sent copies of that photograph and signature to Aaliyah’s school.
By now, everyone knows she’s being investigated for trying to frame her own family.”
Aaliyah’s phone rang.
May you like
The principal’s name appeared on the screen.
When Aaliyah answered, the first words were, “We need to discuss whether you should attend graduation tonight.”
