Chapter 2: Account 4418
Maya didn't realize she had stopped breathing until Jordan said her name.
“Maya.””
She looked down at the phone.
The hospital email remained open.
*REFUND ISSUED — ACCOUNT ENDING 4418.*
Her thumb hovered over the screen.
“Dad,” she said quietly, “what bank account ends in 4418?””
Arthur didn't answer.
Rose stared at him.
“Arthur?””
He rubbed a hand over his beard.
“I don't know.””
Jordan frowned.
“That’s your account.””
Arthur snapped his head toward him.
“Watch yourself.””
Jordan stood his ground.
“I've seen your account number before.””
“You're mistaken.””
“No, I'm not.””
Maya looked between them.
“Dad, just answer the question.””
Arthur walked toward the kitchen.
“I have nothing to explain.””
Maya followed.
“Nothing?””
He stopped.
She nearly walked into him.
“You let me empty my savings.””
Arthur turned around.
“You made that decision.””
“Because you told me the hospital bill had to be paid!””
“I said there was a bill.””
“You said Grandma wasn't covered.””
Arthur's expression tightened.
“I never said that.””
“You absolutely did.””
Rose's voice came from behind them.
“Arthur, I remember.””
He looked at her.
Rose's eyes were wet.
“You told Maya my insurance wasn't enough.””
Arthur's mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Maya stared at him.
“Why?””
Arthur shook his head.
“This isn't what you think.””
“Then tell me what it is.””
He looked toward the hallway.
“Maya, you're upset.””
“I'm not asking if I'm upset.””
She lifted Jordan's phone.
“I'm asking why the hospital refunded eighteen thousand dollars to an account ending in 4418.””
Arthur's face hardened.
“Because sometimes hospitals make mistakes.””
Jordan laughed once.
Not because anything was funny.
“That’s your explanation?””
Arthur glared at him.
“Stay out of this.””
“No.””
Jordan stepped closer.
“I've stayed out of everything for years.””
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
“What is that supposed to mean?””
“It means every time money disappeared, everyone blamed the bills.””
“Jordan.””
“No, Maya.””
Jordan looked at his sister.
“I checked the email because I thought maybe the hospital had sent her the wrong information.””
He held up his phone.
“But there's another message.””
Arthur immediately stepped forward.
“Give me that phone.””
Jordan pulled it back.
“No.””
“Jordan.””
“No.””
The single word landed heavily.
Rose covered her mouth.
Maya felt something inside her shift.
Her little brother had always been the quiet one.
The observer.
The kid who sat at the dinner table and noticed everything while everyone else argued.
Now he was staring directly at their father.
“What message?”” Maya asked.
Jordan unlocked his phone.
“There’s a billing confirmation.””
He scrolled.
“The original payment was made through a cashier’s check.””
Maya nodded.
“I know. I bought it.””
Jordan continued.
“It says the check was deposited by the hospital.””
Arthur's shoulders relaxed slightly.
“Exactly.””
“But then,” Jordan said, “the hospital issued a refund.””
Maya's eyes narrowed.
“Why?””
Jordan shook his head.
“That’s what I couldn't figure out.””
He tapped the screen.
“Until I saw the account number.””
Arthur turned away.
Maya noticed.
Again.
That same movement.
That same refusal to meet her eyes.
“Dad.””
Nothing.
“Look at me.””
Arthur slowly turned.
“You've accused me of stealing from this family?””
“No.””
“Then why are you interrogating me?””
“Because eighteen thousand dollars vanished.””
“I didn't take your money.””
Maya stared at him.
“Then where is it?””
Arthur's voice lowered.
“I don't know.””
Rose stepped forward.
“Arthur.””
He looked at her.
“You knew my insurance covered the surgery, didn't you?””
Silence.
Rose's face crumpled.
“Oh my God.””
Arthur rubbed his forehead.
“I knew the paperwork was complicated.””
“You knew,” Rose whispered.
“I didn't know everything.””
Maya laughed bitterly.
“You knew enough to let me drain my savings.””
Arthur slammed his palm against the kitchen counter.
“You think I wanted this?””
Everyone jumped.
Arthur's breathing became heavy.
“You think I wanted my family fighting over money?””
Maya stepped closer.
“Then tell us where the money went.””
He stared at her.
“I can't.””
The words were quiet.
Maya's anger faltered.
“Why not?””
Arthur looked down.
“I just can't.””
Jordan's phone chimed.
Everyone turned.
A new email.
Jordan opened it.
His expression changed.
“What?”” Maya asked.
Jordan didn't answer.
He turned the screen toward her.
It wasn't from the hospital.
It was from the bank.
Maya read the subject line.
*TRANSFER CONFIRMATION — ACCOUNT 4418*
Below it was the date.
The amount.
And the destination.
Her eyes widened.
“Jordan…”
He swallowed.
“I didn't know this part was there.””
Maya looked at Arthur.
“Where did you send the money?””
Arthur closed his eyes.
Rose whispered, “Arthur, what did you do?””
He opened them.
And for the first time, there was fear in them.
“I wasn't the one who made the transfer.””
Maya's blood ran cold.
“Then who was?””
Arthur looked at Jordan's phone.
His lips parted.
But before he could say the name, the front door unlocked.
May you like
Everyone turned.
The handle slowly began to move.
