Chapter 3: The Account Nobody Talked About
The bank statements were in my mother’s bedroom closet.
I knew because I had helped her organize them last year.
Back then, I never questioned anything.
I was her daughter.
I trusted her.
That was the problem.
Trust can make you blind.
I waited until the next afternoon when my mother was at work.
I hated that I was doing it.
I hated that I was searching through her things.
But something in my gut told me I needed to know the truth.
The folder was exactly where I remembered.
A faded blue folder behind old photo albums.
Inside were bills, receipts, and bank papers.
I sat on the edge of her bed and started looking.
At first, everything seemed normal.
Mortgage payment.
Electric bill.
Insurance.
Then I found something strange.
A bank transfer.
Every month.
The same amount.
$850.
Sent to someone named “C. Walker.””
My hands went still.
Curtis Walker.
I checked the dates.
Months.
Years.
My breathing changed.
He wasn’t just living there for free.
My mother was sending him money.
I grabbed my phone and took pictures.
Then I heard the front door open.
My entire body froze.
“Jada?””
My mother’s voice.
I quickly put the papers back.
Too late.
She appeared in the doorway.
Her face changed when she saw the folder in my hands.
“What are you doing?””
I stood slowly.
“I need you to explain something.””
Her eyes moved to the papers.
Then back to me.
“Give me that.””
“No.””
My voice surprised both of us.
She stepped closer.
“Jada.””
“Why are you paying him?””
Silence.
Her expression collapsed.
Not anger.
Fear.
That scared me more.
“I can explain.””
“Then explain.””
She sat down on the edge of the bed.
For a moment, she looked older than forty-eight.
“I thought I was helping him.””
I stared.
“You’re sending him $850 a month.””
“I know.””
“While he pays nothing here.””
“I know.””
“Why?””
She covered her face.
“Because he told me he was struggling.””
I laughed quietly.
“So you rescued him.””
“Yes.””
“And then?””
She didn’t answer.
“Mom.””
Her eyes filled.
“And then he needed more.””
The room felt smaller.
“How much more?””
She looked away.
I already knew I wasn’t going to like the answer.
Before she could speak, the front door slammed.
Curtis.
His voice echoed through the apartment.
“Monique?””
My mother stood immediately.
Panic crossed her face.
“Jada, you need to leave.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
“Please.””
“Mom—”
“Please!””
I had never heard her sound that afraid.
Curtis walked closer.
Then stopped when he saw me.
His eyes moved from me.
To the open folder.
Then to my mother.
And his face changed.
Not surprise.
Not confusion.
Anger.
A slow, dangerous anger.
“What did you tell her?””
My mother stepped between us.
“Curtis, don’t.””
He ignored her.
He looked directly at me.
“You went through her things?””
I held my ground.
“No.””
I lifted the papers.
“I found the truth.””
His jaw tightened.
Then he smiled.
And somehow that was worse.
“You really think you know what’s going on?””
I didn’t answer.
He stepped closer.
“You should ask your mother why she really keeps me around.””
My stomach dropped.
“What does that mean?””
Curtis looked at Monique.
She looked terrified.
Then his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
His entire expression changed.
He answered.
“Yeah?””
A pause.
Then:
“No. She doesn’t know.””
My blood ran cold.
He was talking about me.
Curtis looked at me and lowered his voice.
“I’ll handle it.””
The call ended.
I stared at him.
“Who was that?””
He didn’t respond.
My mother whispered:
“Jada, you need to go.””
But as I reached the door, Curtis said something that made me stop.
May you like
Something that changed everything.
“Ask your mother why your father’s name is on my bank account.””