Chapter 2: The Paperwork They Prepared
I stared at the folder.
For several seconds, I couldn't understand what I was looking at.
My full name was printed on the first page.
*Aaliyah Marie Carter.*
Beneath it were several paragraphs about behavioral concerns, repeated conflicts, emotional instability, and alleged aggression toward household members.
I looked up.
“What is this?””
Brielle folded her hands.
“It's a record of the problems we've been having with you.””
“Problems?””
Sienna shifted on the sofa.
“Don't act surprised. We've been dealing with your attitude for years.””
I ignored her.
I kept looking at the papers.
There were dates listed beside several incidents.
One claimed I had thrown a glass at Sienna.
Another said I had threatened Brielle during an argument.
A third claimed I had deliberately damaged Sienna's laptop.
I looked at my father.
“None of this happened.””
Damon exhaled.
“Aaliyah, we have discussed these incidents before.””
“No, we haven't!””
Brielle tilted her head.
“You don't remember because you always turn every disagreement into a fight.””
I picked up the first page.
“March 12? I was at school until five that day. You can check the attendance records.””
Brielle's expression barely changed.
“Perhaps the date is slightly inaccurate.””
“Slightly inaccurate? You're accusing me of throwing a glass at someone!””
Sienna rolled her eyes.
“Here we go again.””
I turned toward her.
“Tell Dad when I supposedly threw that glass.””
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Brielle quickly interrupted.
“This isn't a courtroom, Aaliyah.””
“Then why are you presenting fake evidence?””
My father stood.
“Watch your language.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You're seriously going to believe this?””
Damon's face hardened.
“I believe there are serious problems in this house, and I'm trying to address them.””
“By blaming me for things I didn't do?””
“By setting boundaries.””
Brielle gently touched his arm.
“Damon, I don't think she's ready to understand.””
I looked at her.
“Understand what?””
She took a breath.
“We think you need to spend some time somewhere else.””
My stomach dropped.
“What?””
My father looked uncomfortable.
“Maybe staying with your aunt for a while would be better.””
I shook my head.
“Aunt Renee lives three states away. School starts again Monday.””
“We can arrange something.””
“Dad, I'm seventeen!””
“I know how old you are.””
“Then you know I can't just disappear because Brielle doesn't like me!””
Sienna suddenly sat forward.
“Maybe if you weren't so awful to everyone, you wouldn't have this problem.””
I turned toward her.
“Why are you doing this?””
She blinked innocently.
“Doing what?””
“Trying to get me kicked out.””
Her smile disappeared.
“Not everything is about you.””
“Then explain the fake reports!””
Brielle stood.
“That's enough. Damon, you see what I mean?””
My father moved between us.
“Aaliyah, I want you to apologize to Sienna.””
I stared at him.
“For what?””
“For hurting her and damaging the plates.””
I felt something inside me crack.
“You want me to apologize for something she did?””
“Yes.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
His eyes narrowed.
“What did you say?””
“I said no. I'm not apologizing for something I didn't do.””
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then my father pointed toward the staircase.
“Go upstairs.””
I turned away.
As I reached the first step, Brielle spoke.
“Damon, there's another issue.””
I stopped.
“What now?”” my father asked.
Brielle looked toward the hallway before lowering her voice.
“Some of your mother's belongings are still in the attic.””
I turned around.
“What does that have to do with anything?””
She gave me a sympathetic expression.
“We need to clear out that space. It's been sitting unused for years.””
My mother's belongings.
The thought made my chest tighten.
After she died, Dad had promised that nobody would touch her things.
He had stored her photographs, jewelry, books, and a few boxes of personal letters in the attic.
I visited them whenever I missed her.
“Those things are staying,” I said.
Brielle sighed.
“Aaliyah, sweetheart, we cannot preserve every object forever.””
“They're not objects. They're Mom's things.””
Damon looked at his wife.
“We'll discuss it later.””
But Brielle continued.
“Some of those items are valuable. We could have them appraised.””
I stared at her.
“Why would you sell my mother's jewelry?””
Sienna laughed softly.
“Maybe because nobody wears it anymore.””
I took a step toward her.
“Don't talk about my mother.””
“Enough!”” Dad shouted.
I froze.
He looked at me with an expression I had never seen before.
“Go upstairs. Now.””
I climbed the stairs.
But halfway up, I heard Brielle whisper something.
“She's getting worse.””
And my father answered.
“Then we need to make a decision before this gets out of hand.””
I went straight to my room.
Noah was sitting on the carpet with his tablet.
He looked up.
“What happened?””
I closed the door.
“They're trying to send me away.””
His face went pale.
“Because of the plates?””
“Because Brielle wants me gone.””
He hugged his tablet.
“Then we should show Dad the video.””
I sat beside him.
“Maybe you're right.””
He unlocked the screen.
The recording was there.
A little over three minutes long.
I watched it carefully.
The camera showed the kitchen entrance and most of the island.
Sienna entered the room at 3:42 p.m.
She looked around.
Then she walked to the stack of plates.
She glanced toward the hallway.
And pushed them.
The sound was loud enough that Noah's tablet microphone captured every crash.
Then Sienna stepped around the broken pieces, dropped onto the floor, and screamed.
I covered my mouth.
It was undeniable.
Noah paused the video.
“See? You didn't touch her.””
I nodded.
“Can you send it to my phone?””
He hesitated.
“Wouldn't Dad be better?””
“I want a copy somewhere safe first.””
He transferred the file.
Then he looked at me.
“Can we show him now?””
I considered it.
Maybe seeing the truth would finally wake him up.
Maybe he would remember the father who used to burn pancakes for me on Saturday mornings.
I picked up my phone.
Before I could call him, the bedroom door opened.
Brielle stood there.
She hadn't knocked.
Her eyes moved from me to Noah's tablet.
“What are you two doing?””
Noah immediately locked the screen.
“Nothing.””
Brielle stepped inside.
“Why are you hiding that?””
“I'm playing a game,” he said.
She reached for the tablet.
“Let me see.””
Noah pulled it against his chest.
“It's mine.””
Brielle smiled.
It wasn't a kind smile.
“Your father and I pay for everything in this house, including that device.””
I stood.
“Leave him alone.””
She turned toward me.
“I'm speaking to Noah.””
“And he's telling you no.””
Her smile vanished.
“Don't forget who makes the rules here.””
Noah moved closer to me.
Brielle held out her hand.
“Give me the tablet.””
“No,” he whispered.
Her eyes narrowed.
“Excuse me?””
“He said no,” I repeated.
For a few seconds, Brielle just stared at us.
Then she lowered her hand.
“Fine. Keep your little secrets.””
She walked toward the door.
But before leaving, she looked directly at me.
“You should start packing.””
My blood ran cold.
“What?””
“Your father has made his decision.””
She disappeared into the hallway.
Noah looked up at me.
“Is she serious?””
I didn't answer.
Because downstairs, I heard my father speaking on the phone.
And then I heard a sentence that made my hands go numb.
“Yes, I want to know how quickly we can arrange for her to leave.””
I looked at Noah.
He looked at me.
Then his tablet made a quiet notification sound.
A new message had appeared on the screen.
It was from an account named *Brielle Carter*.
May you like
The message contained only seven words.
Delete that video. I know you have it.
