Chapter 6: The Money Renee Left Behind
Darius read the agreement twice.
Then he looked at Marcus.
“Tell me this is a draft that never went anywhere.””
Marcus pulled out another page.
“That's what I thought. But look at the date.””
It had been signed five weeks earlier.
Darius stared at the signatures.
His mother's handwriting was unmistakable.
Brittany's signature appeared beneath it.
He turned the page.
The document referenced a family trust established by Renee shortly before her death.
Darius knew the trust existed.
Renee had insisted on creating it after Kayla was born. She wanted their daughter to have financial security regardless of what happened to either parent.
The money was intended for Kayla's education, medical needs, and future independence.
Darius had never considered touching it.
He had also never given Brittany access to it.
“Why would Brittany be listed as trustee?”” he asked.
Marcus shook his head.
“She wouldn't be, not without the proper legal process. This document appears to be a proposal, not proof of an authorized transfer.””
Darius scanned the final page.
There was a section titled:
*PROPOSED CHANGE OF BENEFICIAL CONTROL.*
He felt sick.
“They were trying to take her inheritance.””
Marcus lowered his voice.
“Possibly. We need a lawyer to review it.””
Darius stood.
“I'm calling Renee's attorney.””
He found the contact information in his phone.
The number belonged to Helen Brooks, the attorney who had helped Renee establish the trust.
Helen answered almost immediately.
“Darius? Is everything all right?””
“No. I need you to tell me something about Renee's trust.””
“What happened?””
He explained the haircut, the messages, the proposed guardianship, and the document Marcus had found.
Helen became silent.
Finally, she asked:
“Are you looking at a document bearing Margaret's signature?””
“Yes.””
“And Brittany's?””
“Yes.””
“Send me a copy immediately. Do not sign anything. Do not give either woman access to the original trust documents.””
Darius looked at Marcus.
“Why?””
Helen took a breath.
“Because Renee included specific protections when she created that trust. She anticipated that someone might eventually try to interfere with Kayla's inheritance.””
Darius sat down.
“What kind of protections?””
“Your daughter is the sole beneficiary. The trust cannot be redirected to a new spouse, a guardian, or another family member simply because your household circumstances change.””
“Then why would they prepare this agreement?””
“That is precisely what I intend to find out.””
Darius looked at the document again.
Helen continued.
“There's something else. Renee left a separate letter with me. She instructed me to give it to you if anyone ever attempted to challenge Kayla's rights under the trust.””
Darius's throat tightened.
“A letter?””
“Yes. I still have it.””
“When can I see you?””
“Tomorrow morning. Bring every document you found.””
Darius thanked her and ended the call.
Marcus leaned against the table.
“Your wife was smarter than everyone gave her credit for.””
Darius looked at Renee's photograph.
“She always was.””
Upstairs, Kayla was sitting on the bed while Evelyn helped her remove the lavender dress.
The little girl had refused to let anyone put it in the laundry basket.
She wanted to keep it.
“Miss Evelyn?””
“Yes, sweetheart?””
“Do you think my hair will grow back?””
Evelyn smiled gently.
“It will grow, darling. Hair takes time, but it grows.””
“Will it look like Mommy's again?””
Evelyn brushed a loose piece away from Kayla's forehead.
“Maybe not exactly the same. But it will be yours. And that's what matters.””
Kayla looked at the mirror across the room.
She turned her head slightly.
“I don't like looking at myself.””
Evelyn put down the brush.
“Then let's do something different.””
She brought over Kayla's favorite pink headband and placed it gently around the little girl's head.
“There. How does that feel?””
Kayla touched it.
“Pretty.””
“You were pretty before, and you're pretty now.””
Kayla looked at the photograph of Renee on the bedside table.
“Mommy would still love me?””
Evelyn's eyes filled.
“More than anything.””
Kayla nodded and hugged her stuffed elephant.
Downstairs, Darius was still examining the agreement when his phone rang.
The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice spoke.
“Mr. Mitchell? My name is Elaine Porter.””
Darius immediately sat upright.
“Dr. Porter?””
“Yes. I believe you found a document referring to an appointment at my office.””
“How do you know that?””
“Brittany contacted me several times. I think you deserve to know what she requested.””
Darius glanced at Marcus.
“Go ahead.””
Dr. Porter sounded uncomfortable.
“Initially, she asked about a custom hairpiece made from a child's natural hair. She said it was intended as a keepsake for a family transition.””
Darius closed his eyes.
“Was Kayla supposed to be involved?””
“Yes. She told me the child had agreed.””
“She lied.””
“I suspected that after our last conversation.””
Darius leaned forward.
“What last conversation?””
“She called yesterday and asked whether we could use hair collected without the child's knowledge. I told her that wasn't something I would recommend or participate in.””
Marcus mouthed the words, Unbelievable.
Darius asked:
“Why would she want a hairpiece?””
Dr. Porter hesitated.
“She said she wanted to preserve the child's original curls before changing her appearance.””
“Changing her appearance how?””
“I don't know. She mentioned that after the wedding, she intended to give Kayla a completely different hairstyle.””
Darius felt anger rising again.
“Thank you for telling me.””
“There is one more thing.””
“What?””
“Brittany mentioned that another woman had already paid for a consultation.””
Darius frowned.
“Who?””
“I don't know her personally. But the payment record listed the name Margaret Mitchell.””
Darius slowly lowered the phone.
His mother hadn't simply discussed taking Kayla.
She had helped finance the plan.
Marcus sat beside him.
“This is worse than we thought.””
Darius nodded.
Then he looked toward the staircase.
“I need to get Kayla out of this house for a while.””
“Where?””
“Somewhere safe. Somewhere peaceful.””
Marcus considered it.
“My place is available. The guest suite is ready, and the neighborhood is quiet.””
Darius nodded.
“Thank you.””
That evening, Darius packed Kayla's clothes, her stuffed elephant, Renee's photograph, and the small wooden box where they kept memories of her mother.
He also placed the single remaining curl inside a tiny envelope.
When Kayla came downstairs, she was wearing pajamas and her pink headband.
“Are we going somewhere?””
“Yes, baby. We're staying with Uncle Marcus for a few days.””
“Is Brittany there?””
“No.””
“Is Grandma there?””
“No.””
Kayla looked relieved.
Then she reached for his hand.
“Can I bring Mommy's flowers?””
Darius smiled sadly.
“We'll come back tomorrow and pick some for her.””
They were almost at the front door when Marcus's phone rang.
He answered, listened, and then looked at Darius.
“What?””
Marcus covered the microphone.
“It's Helen Brooks.””
Darius took the phone.
“Hello?””
Helen's voice was urgent.
“Darius, I reviewed the first page of the document you sent. Something is very wrong.””
“What did you find?””
“The signatures are not the biggest problem. The document references a second agreement that I never prepared.””
Darius frowned.
“What second agreement?””
Helen paused.
“An agreement that appears to transfer decision-making authority over Kayla's trust to a third party.””
“Who?””
Helen took a breath.
“Your mother isn't listed as the final beneficiary or trustee.””
Darius looked at Marcus.
“Then who is?””
Helen answered quietly.
“Richard Collins.””
Darius felt the room go cold.
Brittany's father.
The man who had stood in his living room that afternoon pretending he knew nothing.
Helen continued.
“And Darius, there's another issue. The document contains a statement claiming that you voluntarily agreed to surrender certain parental responsibilities after your wedding.””
Darius's voice dropped.
“I never signed anything like that.””
“I know. But someone has attached what appears to be your signature.””
Darius stared at the phone.
“Are you saying someone forged my name?””
“That's what we need to establish.””
He looked down at Kayla.
She was standing beside the door, holding her stuffed elephant.
Then Helen said the words that changed everything.
“Darius, I think this was never just about Brittany becoming your daughter's stepmother.””
A pause.
“I think someone wanted access to Renee's trust, and your wedding was supposed to be the final step.””
Darius slowly closed his eyes.
Six weeks.
That was how much time they had left before the wedding.
And now he wondered how long the plan had actually been in motion.
His phone buzzed.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
There was no greeting.
No explanation.
May you like
Only one sentence:
*If you want to know who really planned this, ask your mother what happened the night Renee died.*
