Chapter 3: The Money She Stole From a Child
I read the transaction again.
Then a third time.
The amount was $184,000.
The transfer had been made from Jalen's trust into an account bearing Tiana's name.
My hands began to shake.
"Renee," I said quietly, "what am I looking at?""
She leaned over my shoulder.
When she saw the amount, she sat down.
"Oh, my God.""
Jalen was watching us.
"Is something wrong?""
I immediately turned the screen away.
"Nothing you need to worry about, buddy.""
But Renee was already crying.
"That money was supposed to belong to him.""
I looked at her.
"How could Tiana withdraw it?""
"She was listed as temporary guardian. But she was required to provide records for every withdrawal.""
"Did she?""
Renee opened another folder.
"Not once.""
I stared at the papers.
There were statements showing transfers, withdrawals, and purchases.
Some were labeled household expenses.
Others had no explanation.
Then I noticed a series of payments to a luxury furniture store.
A jewelry boutique.
A resort in Florida.
And a dealership.
I recognized the car.
Tiana's white Mercedes.
I had paid for the down payment myself, believing she had used her own savings for the rest.
Apparently, Jalen had paid for it.
I felt physically sick.
"How long has this been happening?""
Renee shook her head.
"Since Vanessa died.""
I stood so quickly that my chair scraped across the floor.
"I'm calling a lawyer.""
"Wait," Renee said.
"What?""
"There's something else.""
She pulled out a sealed envelope.
It was addressed to me.
My name was written in Vanessa's handwriting.
I hadn't seen that handwriting in five years.
I opened the envelope carefully.
Inside was a letter.
Darius,
If you're reading this, something has happened to me, and I need you to protect our son.
I know you trust people easily. That's one of the things I have always loved about you.
But please, be careful with Tiana.
She has asked me for money repeatedly. When I refused, she threatened to make sure you never saw Jalen again.
I don't know what she's planning. I only know that she believes she deserves everything I have.
Please don't let her turn our son into a bargaining chip.
Love, Vanessa.
I couldn't continue.
My eyes burned.
Renee put a hand on my shoulder.
"She wrote that two months before she died.""
I lowered the letter.
"Why didn't you give this to me?""
"Vanessa asked me to wait until I had proof that Tiana was using the trust.""
"And now?""
Renee pointed at the bank statement.
"Now we have proof.""
Micah climbed into my lap.
"Is Mom going to jail?""
Nobody answered.
Then Jalen spoke.
"Will I have to go back to the blue bowl?""
I closed my eyes.
"No.""
He looked at me.
"Even if Mom gets mad?""
"Even then.""
I held both boys close.
For the first time since discovering the container, I felt something stronger than anger.
Determination.
I would get the money back.
I would protect my son.
And I would find out exactly what my wife had been doing behind my back.
By noon, I had contacted an attorney named Margaret Ellis.
She listened without interrupting as I explained everything.
When I finished, she asked one question.
"Mr. Carter, has your wife been informed that you've discovered the trust withdrawals?""
"Not officially.""
"Good. Don't confront her about the money again until we've secured the records. And please, don't let either child be alone with her while this is being investigated.""
"I won't.""
"One more thing. Do you know whether she has access to Jalen's original inheritance documents?""
I looked at Renee.
She nodded.
"She does.""
Margaret exhaled.
"Then we need to move quickly.""
At 3:40 p.m., I received a call from the bank's fraud department.
A woman introduced herself as Ms. Palmer.
"Mr. Carter, we've received your inquiry regarding the beneficiary account.""
"Yes.""
"There's an issue we need to discuss.""
"What issue?""
"Your wife's recent withdrawal was not the only transaction flagged for review.""
I gripped the phone.
"What do you mean?""
"The trust was used to open a second investment account approximately six months ago.""
"Under whose name?""
There was a pause.
"Your wife's.""
"How much was transferred?""
"Two hundred and seventy thousand dollars.""
My knees nearly gave way.
"That's impossible. The entire trust was only—"
"Mr. Carter, the original trust balance was substantially higher than the amount shown on the statement you received.""
I looked at Renee.
She was staring at me.
"How much higher?""
Ms. Palmer lowered her voice.
"Your son's inheritance was originally valued at just over eight hundred thousand dollars.""
I couldn't speak.
Then she added something even worse.
"There's also a pending authorization request to transfer the remaining funds.""
"When?""
"Tomorrow morning.""
"Stop it.""
"We're placing a temporary hold, but we need legal documentation.""
"I'll get it.""
"There's another concern, sir.""
I closed my eyes.
"What now?""
"The authorization request was submitted using a document signed by you.""
My blood ran cold.
"I never signed anything.""
"According to the document, you approved the transfer of Jalen's remaining inheritance into a private family account.""
I looked at Renee.
Then at the two boys sitting on the living room rug.
Someone had forged my signature.
And suddenly, I understood why Tiana had been so confident that morning.
She hadn't been afraid of losing control.
She had already planned to take everything.
My phone vibrated again.
A text message appeared.
It was from Tiana.
*I know where you are. Bring my son home immediately. And Darius, don't forget that I have something you don't know about Jalen's inheritance.*
May you like
A second message arrived before I could respond.
*Ask Renee what happened the night Vanessa died.*
