Chapter 4: The Bank
The next morning, I called the bank before I went to work.
They couldn't release camera footage without a formal request, but the branch manager confirmed something that made my stomach twist.
There had been a cash withdrawal.
Two thousand dollars.
From our joint account.
Tuesday afternoon.
My mother wasn't listed as the person who made it.
Vanessa was.
I hung up.
For five full minutes, I sat in my parked car.
I wanted to believe there was an explanation.
I needed one.
But when I walked into the house that evening, Vanessa was already waiting.
“You called the bank.””
It wasn't a question.
“Yes.””
She crossed her arms.
“You don't trust me.””
“You withdrew two thousand dollars.””
“For something important.””
“What?””
She looked away.
“I can't tell you.””
“That's not an answer.””
“You wouldn't understand.””
“Try me.””
She began crying.
“I helped someone.””
“Who?””
She didn't answer.
“Vanessa.””
She wiped her eyes.
“I helped Claire.””
I blinked.
“Claire?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“She was desperate.””
I stared at her.
“How?””
Vanessa hesitated.
Then she said something that made everything even worse.
“She was being blackmailed.””
I sat down.
“By whom?””
“I don't know.””
“You don't know?””
“She refused to tell me.””
“Then why give her two thousand dollars?””
“She promised she'd pay me back.””
I closed my eyes.
“So you lied to me about the money.””
“I was protecting her.””
“You lied about the party.””
“I was ashamed.””
“You lied about me.””
She shook her head.
“I didn't mean to hurt you.””
“You hired someone to investigate me.””
“I was afraid.””
“You told your friends my mother was hired help.””
She covered her face.
“I made a terrible mistake.””
I stood.
“Why?””
She looked at me.
“Because I felt like everyone loved you more than they loved me.””
That sentence stopped me.
I stared at her.
“Who is everyone?””
“Your mother. Your coworkers. Your friends.””
“You were competing with my mother?””
“She always came first.””
I shook my head.
“She is seventy-eight years old.””
“I know.””
“She needs family.””
“So did I.””
Her voice cracked.
For a few seconds, neither of us moved.
Then my phone rang.
Claire.
I answered.
“Hello?””
Her voice was shaking.
“Marcus, you need to leave the house.””
“Why?””
“Because I found out who has been taking the money.””
I looked at Vanessa.
“What do you mean?””
Claire whispered.
“It isn't Vanessa.””
My eyes narrowed.
“What?””
“Someone has been using her.””
“Who?””
“I don't know yet.””
Then I heard another voice in the background.
A man's voice.
“Claire!””
She gasped.
“Marcus, I'll call you back.””
The line went dead.
I stared at my phone.
Vanessa looked terrified.
“What happened?””
“Someone was with Claire.””
“Who?””
“I don't know.””
She approached me.
“Marcus, I'm sorry.””
I stepped away.
“I need the truth.””
“You have it.””
“No.””
I held up my phone.
“This is the first truth we've had all week.””
She began sobbing.
I walked past her.
“Where are you going?””
“To check the bank.””
“Marcus!””
I stopped.
“Don't.””
It was the way she said it.
Not angry.
Afraid.
I turned.
“What are you afraid I'll find?””
She didn't answer.
May you like
And that silence told me enough.
There was another secret.
