Chapter 9: Six Years of Lies
Renee sat down slowly.
The school office seemed suddenly too bright. The clock ticked above the reception desk, and a printer hummed in the adjoining room.
She could hear Daniel breathing through the phone.
“Renee?”” he asked.
“Are you still there?””
“Yes.””
Her voice sounded unfamiliar.
“You said you found the original message?””
“I found the email Derek sent me six years ago. I also found a screenshot he sent later, supposedly from you. He said you didn't want me contacting you because you were trying to protect your children.””
Renee pressed a hand against her chest.
“He told me you had sent him a message saying I was selfish and that you were done with me.””
Daniel exhaled.
“He told me you said I was dangerous.””
They both went quiet.
Six years of birthdays.
Six years of family photographs shared with everyone except each other.
Six years of wondering why the other person had never called.
Renee looked toward the classroom door.
“Daniel, I need to tell you something.””
“Go ahead.””
“I believed him.””
Her voice broke.
“I believed what Derek showed me because I was angry with you, and I thought your message proved what I'd already decided.””
Daniel didn't respond immediately.
Then he said, “I believed him, too.””
Renee closed her eyes.
“I should have called you.””
“So should I.””
She shook her head, tears running down her cheeks.
“But I'm the one who stopped answering.””
“And I'm the one who decided the screenshots were enough. We both made mistakes.””
Renee swallowed.
“I don't know how to fix six years.””
“You don't have to fix six years today,” Daniel replied.
“We just have to stop letting somebody else decide what we believe about each other.””
She pressed her lips together.
Then she whispered, “I'm sorry.””
Daniel's answer came after a long silence.
“I'm sorry, too.””
Neither tried to fill the next few seconds with explanations.
For once, Renee didn't feel compelled to defend herself, and Daniel didn't insist on proving that he had been right.
They simply acknowledged that something precious had been lost.
Then Daniel asked, “How is Ethan?””
Renee looked through the classroom window.
“He's still upset, but he's safe at school.””
“Does he know about the emails?””
“Some of it. I'm trying not to overwhelm him.””
“That's good.””
Daniel paused.
“Renee, I want to help. But I don't want to rush in and make things harder for you. Tell me what the school needs from me.””
She wiped her cheeks.
“They may need a statement confirming you didn't agree to the transfer or sign the documents.””
“I'll provide whatever they request.””
“And please send the original emails. Don't delete anything.””
“I've already saved copies.””
Renee nodded.
“Thank you.””
After the call ended, she returned to the conference room and explained what Daniel had found.
Mr. Harris documented the information and forwarded it through the appropriate channels. He was careful not to declare that the emails proved who had created the disputed documents. That would require a proper review.
But the discovery changed how Renee understood the last six years.
Derek hadn't merely entered her life and started controlling what happened inside her home.
He had helped shape what she believed was happening outside it.
He had given her reasons to distrust the very people who might have helped her.
And now, with Ethan's school transfer under review, the same pattern appeared to be repeating itself.
Renee sat at the table, staring at the printed emails.
“He told me Daniel didn't care about Ethan,” she whispered.
Mr. Harris remained quiet.
“He said my brother would never want the responsibility. He said I was foolish for thinking family would help.””
She shook her head.
“And now he has put Daniel's name on a document without his permission.””
Mr. Harris folded the papers into a folder.
“We'll let the appropriate people establish what happened. For now, it's important that you and Ethan have support and that the school follows the safety plan.””
Renee nodded.
She understood.
But understanding the next step didn't erase the years she had spent believing lies.
When she returned to the classroom, Ethan was standing beside Maya's desk.
He had stopped crying, though his eyes were still red. His cheeks were damp, and he kept rubbing the edge of his sleeve between his fingers.
Maya was showing him a drawing.
It featured two stick figures sitting at a wooden table beneath a large yellow sun.
One figure wore blue.
The other wore pink.
Above them, Maya had written in careful letters:
*YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE HAPPY ALL THE TIME.*
Ethan stared at the picture.
“Did you make that for me?””
Maya nodded.
“I didn't know what else to do.””
He touched the paper with one finger.
“It's good.””
“You can keep it.””
He looked at her.
“Even if I cry again?””
Maya frowned as though the question made no sense.
“Of course.””
Ethan took the drawing and folded it carefully in half, then slipped it into the front pocket of his backpack.
Renee watched from the doorway.
Mrs. Carter approached her.
“He's been talking a little more,” she said.
“He still needs time, but he's beginning to settle.””
Renee nodded.
“Thank you for not forcing him to explain everything at once.””
Mrs. Carter smiled faintly.
“He deserves to feel heard without feeling interrogated.””
Renee glanced at Ethan.
“I wish I had understood that sooner.””
Mrs. Carter didn't judge her.
“What's important is what you do now.””
Renee absorbed those words.
Then she walked over to her son.
“Ethan?””
He turned.
“Are we going home?””
Renee crouched beside him.
“Not immediately. The school is helping us arrange a safe place for tonight. Aunt Danielle is coming, and we'll follow the advice we're given.””
Ethan's face tightened.
“Why can't we go home?””
Renee took his hands.
“Because the adults need to make sure everything is safe before we decide where to go next.””
“Is Derek still there?””
“He's in the office, and the school is handling that.””
Ethan looked down.
“Will he be angry when he sees me?””
Renee chose her words carefully.
“I can't control how he feels. But you won't be expected to speak to him or manage his feelings. The adults will handle the situation.””
Ethan nodded.
Then he whispered, “I don't want to go back.””
Renee's eyes filled.
“Okay.””
He looked up, surprised.
“You're not going to make me?””
“We're going to listen to what you're telling us and work with the people helping us. You don't have to pretend you're comfortable when you're not.””
He leaned forward and hugged her.
She held him until his shoulders stopped trembling.
Behind them, Mrs. Carter turned toward the window, giving them privacy.
Maya quietly returned to her seat.
For a moment, the classroom was filled only with the ordinary sounds of pencils, paper, and children working.
Then a staff member appeared at the door.
“Mrs. Brooks? Your sister has arrived.””
Renee stood.
“Thank you.””
She squeezed Ethan's hand.
“Your aunt is here.””
Ethan's face brightened a little.
“Can I see her?””
“Of course.””
They walked together toward the office.
Danielle was waiting near the reception desk, wearing a tan coat and carrying a large canvas bag. When she saw Renee, she hurried forward and hugged her.
“Oh, Ren.””
Renee closed her eyes.
“I should have told you sooner.””
Danielle held her tighter.
“We'll talk about that later. Right now, I'm just glad you called.””
She knelt in front of Ethan.
“Hey, sweetheart.””
Ethan looked at her.
“Hi, Aunt Danielle.””
She opened her arms.
He stepped into them.
Danielle hugged him gently, then pulled back to look at his face.
“Your mom told me you've had a rough day.””
Ethan nodded.
“I'm sorry.””
Danielle frowned.
“Why are you apologizing?””
“Because everybody has to help me.””
She brushed a curl away from his forehead.
“Families help each other. That's what we're supposed to do.””
Ethan stared at her.
Then he hugged her again.
Renee looked away, wiping her eyes.
For years, she had believed asking for help would prove that she had failed.
Now she watched her sister hold her son and realized how much that belief had cost them.
Mr. Harris joined them and explained that the school would continue documenting the incident and coordinating with the appropriate professionals. Danielle listened carefully and provided her contact details.
She agreed to accompany Renee and Ethan while the immediate safety arrangements were made.
But before they could leave the office, Mr. Harris received another call.
He listened, then asked the caller to repeat the information.
Renee watched his face.
“What happened?””
Mr. Harris ended the call.
“The district has confirmed that the school transfer request was submitted using an account linked to Derek.””
Renee felt a rush of relief.
“So they know he submitted it?””
“They know which account submitted the request. That doesn't, by itself, establish who prepared every document or whether the signatures are authentic. Those questions are still being reviewed.””
Renee nodded.
“What about Daniel?””
“The district has contacted him to verify whether he authorized the transfer. He has denied doing so.””
Renee let out a shaky breath.
Then Mr. Harris continued.
“There is one additional concern. The transfer request included a proposed start date for Ethan at the new school.””
Renee stared at him.
“When?””
“Tomorrow morning.””
Danielle covered her mouth.
Renee felt her knees weaken.
Tomorrow.
Derek had apparently planned for Ethan to arrive at another school the following morning, while his mother believed they were still arguing over a temporary pickup authorization.
“How could he do that?”” she whispered.
Mr. Harris answered carefully.
“We don't yet know the full extent of his intentions. But the district has flagged the request, and the school will not release Ethan based on that application.””
Renee closed her eyes.
For the first time, she understood how close they might have come to losing control of the situation without even realizing a decision had been made.
She hugged Ethan.
“I'm here,” she whispered.
He held her tightly.
Then, after a moment, he asked, “Mom?””
“Yes, baby?””
“Does Uncle Daniel know I cried today?””
Renee shook her head.
“Not unless you decide you want to tell him.””
Ethan thought about that.
“Can I talk to him?””
Renee hesitated, then called her brother and placed the phone on speaker with Ethan's permission.
Daniel answered almost immediately.
“Renee?””
“I'm here,” she said.
“Ethan wants to talk to you.””
There was a pause.
Then Daniel's voice softened.
“Hey, buddy.””
Ethan held the phone with both hands.
“Hi.””
“How are you doing?””
Ethan looked at his mother.
“Not very good.””
“I'm sorry to hear that.””
“I cried at school.””
Daniel didn't rush to reassure him or tell him to be strong.
Instead, he said, “That sounds like a really hard day.””
Ethan swallowed.
“Are you mad?””
“No, buddy. Why would I be mad?””
“Because I cried.””
Daniel's voice grew firmer.
“Ethan, I have cried before. So has your mom. So has your aunt. Crying doesn't make you a bad person.””
Ethan's eyes filled again.
“Derek said—”
He stopped.
Daniel waited.
“You don't have to repeat anything you don't want to,” he said.
“I just want you to know that you deserve to feel safe.””
Ethan nodded, though Daniel couldn't see him.
Then he whispered, “I thought you didn't want me.””
Daniel went silent for a moment.
“Oh, Ethan.””
His voice cracked.
“I have always wanted to know you. I never agreed to take you away from your mom. I never signed those papers.””
Ethan looked at Renee.
She nodded gently.
Daniel continued.
“And none of this is your fault.””
Ethan wiped his cheek.
“Can I meet you someday?””
“If you want to, and your mom and the people helping you think it's a good idea, I'd love that.””
Ethan's shoulders relaxed.
“Okay.””
They said goodbye a moment later.
Renee returned the phone to her pocket.
For the first time that day, Ethan's expression held something other than fear.
Not happiness exactly.
Not yet.
But the possibility that the world might contain adults who meant what they said.
Danielle placed a hand on Renee's shoulder.
“We'll take this one step at a time.””
Renee nodded.
Then her phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared.
*You have no idea what your brother agreed to six years ago. Ask him what happened to your mother's money.*
Renee stared at the screen.
Her mother had died seven years earlier.
The inheritance had been small, barely enough to cover funeral expenses and settle a few debts.
But there had been one account she had never understood—an account her mother had told her to discuss with Daniel when the time came.
Renee had forgotten about it.
Or perhaps she had stopped asking because Derek had convinced her that Daniel had stolen the money.
She looked at Danielle.
“Did Mom leave money for both of us?””
Danielle's face changed.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“She did.””
Renee's stomach dropped.
“Where did it go?””
Danielle looked toward Ethan, then back at her sister.
“Renee, I thought you knew.””
“Knew what?””
Danielle's eyes filled.
“Daniel didn't take the money.””
She paused.
May you like
“He spent six years trying to find out who had.””
And suddenly, the story Derek had told Renee about her brother began to fall apart in a way neither of them could have imagined.
