Chapter 8: The Signature That Wasn't Mine
I climbed the stairs two at a time.
Nia stood outside her bedroom, clutching the doorframe.
“Dad, is it true?””
I knelt in front of her.
“No.””
“But she showed me the paper.””
“I didn't sign it.””
“She said you agreed.””
I took both her hands.
“Look at me, Nia. I am not sending you away.””
Her eyes searched my face.
“Promise?””
“I promise.””
She threw her arms around my neck.
I held her tightly while Olivia stood a few feet away.
When Nia finally pulled back, she whispered:
“Can I tell you something else?””
“Of course.””
“Vanessa said if I behaved badly, you'd have no choice.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“What else?””
“She said the school was beautiful. She showed me pictures of a room with two beds. She said I'd have new friends and wouldn't have to worry about Ava anymore.””
I brushed her cheek.
“Did you want to go?””
Nia shook her head.
“I want to stay with you.””
“You will.””
I walked downstairs.
Vanessa was in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water.
She looked up.
“Where have you been?””
I placed the enrollment form on the counter.
“What is this?””
She glanced at it.
“An application.””
“Why is my signature on it?””
“Because you approved it.””
“I didn't.””
Vanessa sighed.
“Marcus, we discussed educational options.””
“No. You discussed them with an attorney behind my back.””
“You said you wanted what's best for Nia.””
“And you decided that meant sending her away?””
Vanessa placed the glass down.
“It's a good school. It has excellent facilities, qualified staff, and a structured environment.””
“She is twelve.””
“Exactly. This is the perfect age to build discipline.””
I stared at her.
“Did you forge my signature?””
Her face hardened.
“Don't use that word.””
“Then give me another one.””
She crossed her arms.
“You were going to sign it eventually.””
I laughed once.
“You really believe that?””
Vanessa walked around the island.
“Marcus, you've become impossible to talk to. Every conversation turns into an interrogation.””
I picked up the document.
“Who completed this?””
“I did.””
“Who signed my name?””
She looked away.
I stepped closer.
“Vanessa.””
She sighed.
“I signed it because the school needed preliminary approval.””
“That's forgery.””
“It's a form, Marcus! Nobody is stealing your house!””
I looked at her.
“That's an interesting choice of words.””
She blinked.
“What?””
“Nothing.””
I placed the form back on the counter.
“I'm calling the school.””
Vanessa's expression changed.
“You don't need to do that.””
“I do.””
“They'll think we're having marital problems.””
“We are.””
She reached for my phone.
I moved it away.
“Don't.””
I dialed the number printed on the form.
A receptionist answered.
“Good afternoon, Westbridge Preparatory School.””
“My name is Marcus Reed. I'm calling about an enrollment application for my daughter, Nia Reed.””
“Of course, Mr. Reed. We have her file here.””
“Did you receive a signed parental authorization?””
“Yes, sir. We received it yesterday.””
“Was it submitted electronically?””
“Yes. Your wife uploaded the documents.””
I looked directly at Vanessa.
“Did you speak to me personally?””
The receptionist hesitated.
“Our admissions coordinator spoke with Mrs. Reed. She explained that you were traveling and had already approved the placement.””
“I did not.””
There was a pause.
“I'm sorry, sir. Would you like us to suspend the application?””
“Yes. Immediately. No one is authorized to enroll my daughter without my direct written consent.””
“Understood.””
I ended the call.
Vanessa stood motionless.
Then she said:
“You've just embarrassed me.””
I put my phone away.
“Good.””
She slapped her palm against the counter.
“You think you're so righteous! You disappear for days, leave me to manage everything, and then come home pretending you know what's best.””
“I trusted you to take care of Nia.””
“And I did!””
“You made her believe I didn't love her.””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“I never said that.””
“Nia has a notebook documenting what you told her.””
She went quiet.
Then her expression shifted.
“You've been encouraging her to collect evidence against me?””
I stared at her.
“She's twelve. She started writing things down because she was afraid nobody would believe her.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“Rachel would be proud. You've turned Nia into a little victim.””
I stepped forward.
“Don't mention Rachel.””
“Why? Because you can't handle the truth?””
“What truth?””
Vanessa leaned closer.
“Rachel wasn't perfect, Marcus. She had secrets. She lied to you.””
I remembered Daniel's USB drive.
I remembered his warning.
“Maybe you should tell me what happened that night.””
For the first time, Vanessa looked genuinely frightened.
“What night?””
“The night Rachel died.””
She stared at me.
Then she laughed.
“Are you seriously listening to Daniel now?””
“Why shouldn't I?””
“Because your brother is a coward. He'll say anything to protect himself.””
“What did he do?””
Vanessa walked away.
“I refuse to participate in this ridiculous conversation.””
I followed her into the living room.
“Did you know Rachel was going to meet Evelyn the morning after the accident?””
Vanessa stopped.
“Who told you that?””
I said nothing.
She turned slowly.
“Daniel?””
I watched her face.
She had just confirmed that Daniel's information was true.
“Why were you afraid of Rachel speaking to Evelyn?””
Vanessa's voice dropped.
“Because Rachel was trying to destroy everyone.””
“Everyone?””
“She was going to expose things that would have ruined your brother.””
“And you?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
I took out my phone.
“I think we need to involve the police.””
She suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“Marcus, don't!””
I pulled away.
“Why?””
“Because you don't know what you're getting into.””
“Then explain it.””
Her eyes filled.
For a moment, she looked like the woman I had married.
“I was protecting this family.””
“From Rachel?””
“From what she was going to do!””
I stared at her.
“What did she have?””
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Then she whispered:
“The original documents.””
“What documents?””
She looked toward the staircase.
“Rachel had proof that the money wasn't hers to begin with.””
I frowned.
“What are you talking about?””
Vanessa took a step backward.
“Forget it.””
“No. Finish what you started.””
Before she could answer, the front door opened.
Ava walked in carrying a school backpack.
She had been at a friend's house.
“Mommy?””
Vanessa immediately wiped her face.
“Come here, baby.””
Ava looked between us.
“Are you fighting about Nia again?””
I knelt.
“No, sweetheart. We're just talking.””
Ava looked at her mother.
Then she reached into her backpack.
“I found something in your room, Mommy.””
Vanessa froze.
“What?””
Ava pulled out a small black memory card.
“I found it inside the pink box with your jewelry.””
Vanessa's face became completely white.
“Give that to me.””
Ava held it against her chest.
“But you said it was important.””
I looked at the card.
“What's on it, Ava?””
Vanessa moved toward her daughter.
“Nothing. It's private.””
Ava shook her head.
“I heard Rachel's voice.””
The room fell silent.
I slowly turned toward Vanessa.
“You have a recording of Rachel?””
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
May you like
Then she said something that made my stomach drop.
“It wasn't supposed to survive.””
