Chapter 11: The Brother Who Wanted More
The voice on the phone was familiar.
Too familiar.
That was what made it worse.
I had heard that voice at family dinners.
At holidays.
During late-night conversations when we talked about our dreams.
Now that same voice was on the other end of the line, knowing exactly what he had done.
“Where are you?”” I asked.
Adrian laughed softly.
“Is that the first question you have?””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“You stole from Maya.””
A pause.
Then:
“Careful with your words.””
I stared at the kitchen.
Vanessa.
Maya.
Brielle.
All watching me.
“You forged my signature.””
Another pause.
“You always did jump to conclusions.””
My anger exploded.
“Do not do that.””
“Do what?””
“Act like I’m the problem.””
Adrian sighed.
“You know what your problem is, Marcus?””
I said nothing.
“You think being the good guy means everyone else is wrong.””
I looked at the documents.
“Explain the money.””
“You really want that conversation?””
“Yes.””
“Then maybe you should ask Vanessa why she never told you the truth.””
I looked at Vanessa.
She looked away.
“What truth?””
Adrian laughed quietly.
“There it is.””
My stomach tightened.
“What truth?””
“The truth about the trust.””
I looked at Maya.
She was listening.
“Say it.””
Adrian’s voice lowered.
“Your daughter’s account wasn’t just a gift.””
“What does that mean?””
“It means someone else helped build it.””
“Who?””
“You know who.””
I felt my anger rising.
“You.””
“Yes.””
The answer came easily.
Almost proudly.
“I helped you.””
“You manipulated me.””
“No.””
His voice sharpened.
“I protected your money.””
I walked away from the others.
“From what?””
“From yourself.””
I almost laughed.
“You stole from my daughter and you think you protected me?””
“You don’t understand.””
“Then explain.””
Silence.
For a moment, Adrian sounded less confident.
Then he said:
“You always got everything.””
The words surprised me.
“What?””
“You got the better job.””
“You got the house.””
“You got the perfect family.””
I stared at the phone.
“Is that what this is about?””
“Don’t pretend you never noticed.””
“Noticed what?””
“That everyone looked at you first.””
His voice became bitter.
“You were always Marcus Carter. The one who made it.””
I shook my head.
“This isn’t about me.””
“Yes, it is.””
“No.””
I looked at Maya.
“This is about her.””
The line went silent.
Then Adrian said something that made my blood run cold.
“I never wanted Maya hurt.””
I froze.
“What?””
“I only wanted you to feel what it was like to lose control.””
My hand tightened around the phone.
“You used my daughter to teach me a lesson?””
“No.””
“Yes.””
“No.””
His voice changed.
For the first time, anger replaced confidence.
“You never listened to me.””
I stared.
“You could have talked to me.””
“I did.””
“When?””
“Years ago.””
I shook my head.
“Not like this.””
He didn’t answer.
That silence told me enough.
“You’re sick.””
“Maybe.””
“Where are you?””
Another laugh.
“You think I’m going to tell you?””
“I’m coming for you.””
“Marcus.””
His voice became quiet.
“You should be more worried about what happens when you find out the rest.””
I frowned.
“What rest?””
The line crackled.
Then he said:
“Ask Vanessa why she deleted the first message.””
My eyes moved toward her.
Vanessa immediately looked away.
I felt my chest tighten.
“What message?””
Adrian didn’t answer.
The call ended.
I lowered the phone.
Nobody spoke.
Then I looked at Vanessa.
“What message did you delete?””
Her face changed.
“Maya…”
“No.””
My voice was calm now.
Too calm.
“What message?””
Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears.
“The first one.””
“When?””
“Before the money was taken.””
“From Adrian?””
She nodded.
“What did it say?””
She looked down.
“I don’t remember.””
I stared.
“Don’t lie to me.””
“I’m not.””
“Then why are you afraid?””
Vanessa covered her face.
“Because I wasn’t just scared of Adrian.””
The kitchen became silent.
“Who were you scared of?””
She looked up.
May you like
And whispered:
“You.””
