Chapter 4: The Name on the Account
I stopped with my hand on the doorknob.
For a few seconds, nobody moved.
The apartment was so quiet I could hear the refrigerator humming in the kitchen.
Then I slowly turned around.
“What did you just say?””
Curtis leaned against the wall like he hadn’t just dropped a bomb into the middle of my life.
My mother’s face had gone pale.
“Curtis.””
Her voice was a warning.
But he didn’t look at her.
He looked at me.
“You heard me.””
I stepped away from the door.
“My father has been gone for twelve years.””
Curtis shrugged.
“And?””
“And why would his name be on your bank account?””
His eyes narrowed.
“That’s what you should be asking your mother.””
I looked at Monique.
She looked down.
That hurt more than anything.
Because my mother had always been terrible at lying.
But she was even worse at hiding guilt.
“Mom?””
She didn’t answer.
“Mom, look at me.””
Slowly, she did.
And I saw it.
Fear.
Not the fear of being caught doing something wrong.
The fear of something old coming back.
Something she had buried.
“What is he talking about?””
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Curtis laughed under his breath.
“Of course.””
He pushed himself away from the wall.
“She never told you.””
“Curtis, stop.””
My mother’s voice cracked.
But he kept going.
“You spent all these years thinking you knew your family.””
He pointed toward the papers in my hand.
“You think those transfers are the worst thing you’re going to find?””
My fingers tightened around the documents.
“What are you talking about?””
Curtis looked at my mother.
“Tell her.””
She shook her head.
“No.””
“Tell her.””
“Curtis, please.””
I had never heard my mother beg anyone.
Not once.
That scared me.
I stepped closer.
“What happened?””
My mother wiped her eyes quickly.
“Jada, this is complicated.””
“Everything is complicated when you don’t want to tell the truth.””
The words came out sharper than I intended.
She flinched.
Immediately, I regretted it.
But I couldn’t take them back.
Curtis picked up his jacket from the chair.
“I’m leaving.””
My head snapped toward him.
“No.””
He looked surprised.
“No?””
“No. You don’t get to drop something like that and walk away.””
His expression hardened.
“You want answers?””
“Yes.””
“Then ask her.””
He pointed at my mother.
“Ask her why your father’s old business account was reopened.””
My heart skipped.
“My father had a business?””
My mother closed her eyes.
“Jada…”
“No.””
I looked at her.
“No more.””
My voice shook.
“I have spent my whole life believing you told me everything.””
A tear rolled down her cheek.
“I was protecting you.””
“From what?””
She didn’t answer.
That was becoming her favorite response.
Silence.
Avoidance.
Secrets.
I looked at Curtis.
“What does my father have to do with you?””
Curtis grabbed his keys.
“Ask your mother why she sent me money from an account that wasn’t hers.””
My stomach turned.
“Wait.””
He opened the door.
“Curtis.””
He looked back.
For the first time, he didn’t look confident.
He looked tired.
“You think I’m the villain because I’m the easiest person to blame.””
Then he left.
The door closed.
I stood there with my mother.
Two people who were supposed to be family.
And somehow, I felt more alone than ever.
“What account?””
My mother sat down.
She looked exhausted.
“Your father’s.””
“Why would you have access to it?””
She stared at the floor.
“Because after he died, I was the one who handled everything.””
I felt my chest tighten.
“Everything?””
She nodded.
“His debts. His paperwork. His accounts.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because you were young.””
“I was twelve.””
“You were a child.””
I shook my head.
“And now I’m twenty-four, and I’m finding out from your boyfriend?””
Her face fell.
“I never wanted you involved.””
“Too late.””
I walked toward the table.
“What happened to my father’s money?””
She looked away.
“Jada…”
“What happened?””
The room stayed silent.
Then she whispered:
“There wasn’t much.””
I stared.
“Then why is Curtis’s name connected to it?””
She swallowed.
“Because he helped me.””
I almost laughed.
That word again.
Helped.
Everyone was always helping.
But somehow, I was always the one paying.
“How?””
My mother didn’t respond.
My phone buzzed.
Both of us looked down.
Unknown number.
Another message.
*“Did you find the account?””*
My heart started pounding.
I typed:
*Who are you? How do you know all of this?*
The reply came instantly.
*“Because I was there when Curtis convinced your mother to sign the papers.””*
I froze.
Another message followed.
*“And I know what happened to your father’s missing money.””*
I looked at my mother.
She saw my face.
“What is it?””
I didn’t answer.
Because I suddenly realized something terrifying.
The person messaging me wasn’t guessing.
May you like
They knew.
And they knew more than I did.