Chapter 7: The Man Who Raised Me
I didn’t understand the words.
Not because I couldn’t hear them.
Because my brain refused to accept them.
“My father?””
Marcus nodded.
“Richard signed the document.””
I looked at Dad.
He looked as shocked as I was.
“That’s impossible.””
Marcus handed him the phone.
“Look.””
My father took it.
His eyes scanned the screen.
Then his face changed.
“No.””
He looked up.
“I didn’t do this.””
Marcus remained calm.
“Then someone used your identity too.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“So someone forged Maya’s signature, my signature, and Richard’s?””
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.””
My father looked at Nicole.
“Who?””
She was crying silently.
“I don’t know.””
This time, I believed her.
Because she looked genuinely afraid.
Not guilty.
Afraid.
My father sat down.
“I don’t understand.””
Marcus opened the folder again.
“The documents were designed to make it appear like all three of you agreed to transfer control of the trust.””
Daniel frowned.
“To who?””
Marcus looked at the final page.
“That’s the problem.””
He turned it around.
The recipient section was blank.
Nobody had been named.
I stared.
“Then why?””
Marcus looked at me.
“Because the person who created this wasn’t ready to reveal themselves.””
The house felt like it had become a trap.
Someone had been watching us.
Planning.
Waiting.
My father stood.
“Who hired you?””
Marcus looked at him.
“Nicole.””
Everyone turned.
My mother closed her eyes.
“I needed someone to fix the paperwork.””
“You hired a lawyer to help hide this?””
“I hired him because I was scared.””
Dad laughed bitterly.
“You keep saying that.””
Because she did.
Every secret.
Every betrayal.
Every wound.
Fear.
I walked away from the table.
I couldn’t breathe.
I went upstairs.
To my bedroom.
The same room where I had spent years believing I knew my family.
I opened my closet.
My old trophies sat on the shelf.
My scholarship certificate.
My graduation photos.
Everything I had achieved.
Everything that belonged to me.
Then I saw the small wooden box at the back.
I hadn’t touched it in years.
Inside were childhood things.
Drawings.
Bracelets.
Birthday cards.
At the bottom was a letter.
I recognized the handwriting.
My grandfather.
I had never opened it.
My mother always told me it was “private family history.””
Now I wondered what else she had hidden.
I opened it.
The letter was short.
*Dear Maya,*
*If you are reading this, then the truth has finally reached you.*
My hands went cold.
I kept reading.
*I need you to know something important. Richard may not share your blood, but he is your father in every way that matters.*
Tears filled my eyes.
The next sentence made my heart stop.
*But there is one person you should never trust with your inheritance.*
I held my breath.
The name was written below.
A name I knew.
A name I had heard my entire life.
I dropped the letter.
“No.””
A knock came at my door.
“Maya?””
Dad.
I quickly folded the letter.
“Come in.””
He entered slowly.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he sat beside me.
“I know you’re angry.””
I looked at him.
“Are you?””
He looked confused.
“At me.””
His eyes filled.
“No.””
“Why?””
“Because I never lied to you.””
I looked away.
“You didn’t tell me either.””
That hurt him.
“I didn’t know.””
I believed him.
That was the worst part.
Because he had lost something too.
The truth.
Our truth.
He held my hand.
“You are my daughter.””
I cried.
“I know.””
“No matter what any paper says.””
I nodded.
Then his phone rang.
He looked at it.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A voice spoke.
I couldn’t hear the words.
But Dad’s face changed.
“What?””
He stood.
“Where?””
A pause.
Then:
“I’m coming.””
He ended the call.
“What happened?””
He looked at me.
“Maya…”
“Dad.””
He hesitated.
“Your grandfather’s lawyer wants to meet us.””
I frowned.
“My grandfather has been dead for years.””
Dad looked terrified.
“No.””
May you like
He shook his head.
“The lawyer said he has proof your grandfather was murdered.””
