Chapter 8: The Mother Who Knew Everything
Daniel sent the spreadsheet to the financial investigator the following morning.
He also arranged for a separate attorney to review the documents connected to our house.
I spent most of the day trying to keep things normal for Maya and Devin.
We went to the beach.
We ate ice cream.
We took photographs near the pier.
But every time my phone vibrated, I felt the same knot forming in my stomach.
At 4:17 p.m., Patricia called.
I almost ignored it.
Then I answered.
"Andre.""
Her voice sounded unusually sweet.
"Patricia.""
"How are the children?""
"They're fine.""
"Good. Vanessa is beside herself. She hasn't slept properly since you left.""
I looked at the ocean.
"That's unfortunate.""
"Andre, I think you've misunderstood the entire situation.""
"Then explain it.""
She sighed.
"Vanessa has been under tremendous pressure. She's been trying to build something for Devin's future, and you haven't been supportive.""
I almost laughed.
"Is that why she opened a loan in my name?""
There was a pause.
"What loan?""
"The thirty-eight-thousand-dollar loan connected to her company.""
Patricia recovered quickly.
"That was probably a business arrangement. Vanessa handles financial matters.""
"Without my permission?""
"You're her husband. Your finances are connected.""
"That doesn't mean she can use my identity.""
Her voice sharpened.
"Don't speak about my daughter as if she's some criminal.""
I looked at the screen.
"Then perhaps you should explain why twelve thousand dollars went from her business account to yours.""
Silence.
I waited.
Finally, Patricia said:
"I don't know what you're talking about.""
"Then we'll let the investigators figure it out.""
She suddenly raised her voice.
"Andre, you need to understand that Vanessa has sacrificed so much for this family!""
I looked toward the hotel room.
Maya was reading by the window.
"Tell me one thing, Patricia. Did you know Maya had originally been included in the vacation reservation?""
Patricia didn't answer.
"Did you know Vanessa removed her name?""
"That was Vanessa's decision.""
"Did you know the money saved was used to upgrade the suite?""
"Andre, this is ridiculous.""
"Did you know your daughter wrote that Maya was a reminder of my previous marriage?""
Patricia sighed.
"That girl has always been sensitive.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"She's a child.""
"She's sixteen. She needs to understand that the world doesn't revolve around her.""
I stared at the phone.
Then I said quietly:
"Neither does yours.""
I ended the call.
A few minutes later, another message arrived.
It was from Lauren.
Andre, I need to tell you something about Mom. Please don't call her.
I immediately called Lauren.
She answered in a whisper.
"Are you alone?""
"Yes.""
"I found an old folder in Mom's storage room.""
"What folder?""
"It has copies of Vanessa's financial documents. Some of them are from before you married her.""
My stomach tightened.
"Can you send them?""
"I'm trying. But there's something important.""
"What?""
"Mom knew about the property transfer.""
I closed my eyes.
"How long?""
"At least six months.""
"Are you sure?""
"I found an email where Vanessa asked Mom to hold some money until the house paperwork was finished.""
"How much?""
"Twenty thousand dollars.""
I sat down.
"Lauren, why would Patricia hold twenty thousand dollars?""
"I don't know. But I think it was connected to the business loan.""
"Did you tell anyone?""
"No.""
"Good. Preserve everything and speak with your own attorney.""
She hesitated.
"Andre, there's another document. It's a letter from Mom.""
"What does it say?""
"She wrote that Devin deserved to inherit the house because Maya wasn't part of their bloodline.""
I closed my eyes.
Even after everything, I still struggled to understand how a grown woman could look at a sixteen-year-old girl and decide she deserved less simply because she wasn't biologically related to her.
"Send it to Daniel," I said.
"I will.""
Before ending the call, Lauren added:
"Andre, I think Vanessa is planning to come to Florida.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"She told Mom she needs to get you to sign something before the fifteenth.""
I felt a chill.
"What something?""
"I don't know. But she said if you refused, she'd have to use another approach.""
I immediately called Daniel.
He advised me not to meet Vanessa alone and arranged for any documents requiring my signature to be handled through legal counsel.
That evening, I received a message from Vanessa.
I'm coming to Florida tomorrow. We need to talk face-to-face.
I replied:
Any legal or financial matters should go through our attorneys.
Her response was immediate.
I'm your wife, Andre. You can't hide behind lawyers forever.
I didn't answer.
The following morning, Vanessa arrived at the hotel.
I saw her through the lobby window.
She was wearing a beige designer coat and carrying a large handbag. Patricia stood beside her.
I felt my stomach tighten.
Maya noticed my expression.
"What is it?""
"Stay with Devin.""
She looked toward the window.
"Is that Vanessa?""
"Yes.""
Maya's face changed.
"Do I have to talk to her?""
"No, sweetheart. You don't.""
I walked downstairs.
Vanessa approached me immediately.
"Andre.""
"Why are you here?""
"Because my husband has disappeared with my son and refuses to speak to me.""
"Devin is safe. You know where he is.""
She glanced around the lobby.
"Can we talk privately?""
"No.""
Her expression hardened.
"You're really going to do this in front of everyone?""
"You're welcome to speak with Daniel.""
She opened her handbag and removed a folder.
"I brought something for you to sign.""
I didn't take it.
"What is it?""
"Financial documents. They're necessary to protect the family.""
"Have your attorney send them to mine.""
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"You're acting like I'm trying to rob you.""
I looked directly at her.
"Then why did you use my name to obtain a loan I never authorized?""
Her face went pale.
"That money was for our future.""
"Why did you try to transfer our house?""
"To protect Devin.""
"Why did you remove Maya from the trust?""
She looked toward the elevator.
Then she lowered her voice.
"Because she doesn't need it.""
I stared at her.
"She's my daughter.""
"And Devin is mine!""
Her voice rose enough to attract attention.
"Do you have any idea what it's like watching you spend everything on Maya? Every time something happens, she comes first!""
I shook my head.
"That's what this is about? You're jealous that I love my daughter?""
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
"You don't understand what I've sacrificed.""
I stepped back.
"Then tell me about Marcus.""
Her expression changed completely.
For the first time since she arrived, she looked frightened.
"Who told you?""
I didn't answer.
Patricia stepped forward.
"Andre, stop interrogating her.""
I turned toward Patricia.
"Did you know she was married to him?""
Patricia's mouth tightened.
"That is none of your business.""
"She was married to another man while married to me?""
Vanessa suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Keep your voice down!""
I gently removed her hand.
"Answer me.""
She looked around the lobby.
Then she whispered:
"Marcus and I have a business arrangement.""
"That's not what I asked.""
Her eyes filled.
"Andre, things were complicated.""
"Are you legally married to him?""
She didn't answer.
Then a voice came from behind us.
"She is.""
We turned.
Lauren was standing near the entrance.
She held a large envelope.
Her face was pale, but her voice was steady.
"Vanessa, you should stop lying.""
Patricia spun around.
"Lauren! What are you doing here?""
Lauren walked toward us.
"I brought the documents you told me never to show anyone.""
Vanessa's expression turned furious.
"Give me that envelope.""
"No.""
"Lauren, don't do this.""
Lauren looked at me.
"Andre, I found something else in Mom's folder. Something that explains why Vanessa was so desperate to get you to sign those papers.""
She opened the envelope and removed a document.
It was a bank statement.
The account belonged to Patricia.
The balance showed a recent deposit of $20,000.
But the transaction description made my blood run cold.
*ADVANCE PAYMENT — PROPERTY TRANSFER COMPLETION.*
I looked at Patricia.
She had stopped pretending to be confused.
Then Lauren removed another sheet.
It was an email printed on official letterhead.
The sender was Marcus.
The subject line read:
*NOVEMBER 15 — FINAL ARRANGEMENTS.*
I began reading.
The first sentence said:
Once Andre signs the final release, the property will be transferred, the debt will be settled, and everyone can move forward.
Then I reached the last paragraph.
It mentioned a second property.
A house belonging to Patricia.
I looked up.
"Why is your mother's house involved?""
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Lauren answered before she could.
"Because Mom already borrowed money against it to help Vanessa's company.""
Patricia stepped backward.
And for the first time, I realized Vanessa hadn't simply been using my money.
She had pulled her entire family into a financial arrangement that could destroy all of them.
But the worst discovery was still inside the envelope.
A photograph fell onto the floor.
It showed Vanessa, Marcus, and Patricia standing together outside a bank.
They were holding a folder containing my property documents.
May you like
On the back, someone had written:
*THE LAST SIGNATURE.*
