Chapter 8: My Brother's Name Was## Chapter 8: My Brother's Name Was in the Ledger
I drove in the Ledger
I drove home with both hands gripping home with both hands gripping the steering wheel.
Ethan's words kept the steering wheel.
Ethan's words kept repeating in my head.
I saw my name in it.
What could Grandma possibly have written about him repeating in my head.
I saw my name in it.
What could Grandma possibly have written about him?
When I pulled into the driveway, the Mercedes was gone.
Dad's truck was parked beside the garage.
I?
When I pulled into the driveway, the Mercedes was gone.
Dad's truck was parked beside the garage.
I entered through the front door.
"Mom?""
No answer.
I walked toward the kitchen.
Mom was sitting at the table with entered through the front door.
"Mom?""
No answer.
I walked toward the kitchen.
Mom was sitting at the table with a cup of untouched tea. Her eyes were red, and a stack of old photographs lay a cup of untouched tea. Her eyes were red, and a stack of old photographs lay scattered in front of her.
Ethan stood near the refrigerator.
He looked up when he saw me.
scattered in front of her.
Ethan stood near the refrigerator.
He looked up when he saw me.
"You're here.""
"Where's Dad?""
"In the garage.""
"Where's the ledger?""
Ethan glanced at"You're here.""
"Where's Dad?""
"In the garage.""
"Where's the ledger?""
Ethan glanced at Mom.
She immediately looked away.
I put my bag down.
"What's going on?""
Mom rubbed her forehead.
"Your Mom.
She immediately looked away.
I put my bag down.
"What's going on?""
Mom rubbed her forehead.
"Your father found it in the storage room this morning.""
"And?""
"He doesn't want anyone looking at it.""
I father found it in the storage room this morning.""
"And?""
"He doesn't want anyone looking at it.""
I looked at Ethan.
"What did you see?""
He swallowed.
"Payments. Dates. Amounts. Names looked at Ethan.
"What did you see?""
He swallowed.
"Payments. Dates. Amounts. Names.""
"Your name?""
He nodded.
"There's a section with my name at the top.""
I pulled.""
"Your name?""
He nodded.
"There's a section with my name at the top.""
I pulled out a chair.
"What does it say?""
"That Dad borrowed money from Grandma to out a chair.
"What does it say?""
"That Dad borrowed money from Grandma to start my first business.""
I stared at him.
"How much?""
" start my first business.""
I stared at him.
"How much?""
"Thirty-five thousand dollars.""
I felt a bitter laugh rise in my throat.
"Thirty-five thousand dollars.""
I felt a bitter laugh rise in my throat.
"Thirty-five thousand?""
"He told me it was a gift.""
"Of course heThirty-five thousand?""
"He told me it was a gift.""
"Of course he did.""
Ethan lowered his head.
"There's more.""
I waited.
"Grandma wrote that I was supposed to repay did.""
Ethan lowered his head.
"There's more.""
I waited.
"Grandma wrote that I was supposed to repay the money if the business failed.""
"Did you know that?""
"No.""
"Did you ever repay the money if the business failed.""
"Did you know that?""
"No.""
"Did you ever repay anything?""
He shook his head.
I looked at the photographs on the table.
One showed Grandma sitting in her anything?""
He shook his head.
I looked at the photographs on the table.
One showed Grandma sitting in her garden with Ethan on her lap when he was a toddler.
Another showed her holding my hand at my high garden with Ethan on her lap when he was a toddler.
Another showed her holding my hand at my high school graduation.
For years, she had tried to help both of us.
And Dad had turned every act school graduation.
For years, she had tried to help both of us.
And Dad had turned every act of kindness into another opportunity.
"Where is the ledger now?""
"Garage," Ethan of kindness into another opportunity.
"Where is the ledger now?""
"Garage," Ethan said.
"Dad locked it in his desk.""
I stood.
"Then we'll get it.""
said.
"Dad locked it in his desk.""
I stood.
"Then we'll get it.""
Mom caught my wrist.
"Claire, please.""
I looked at her.
"DidMom caught my wrist.
"Claire, please.""
I looked at her.
"Did you know about the money?""
She didn't answer.
"Mom.""
She pulled her hand away.
"Your you know about the money?""
She didn't answer.
"Mom.""
She pulled her hand away.
"Your father told me he was borrowing it temporarily.""
"How much did you know?""
"I father told me he was borrowing it temporarily.""
"How much did you know?""
"I didn't keep track.""
"Then why did Grandma write your name in it?""
Mom's face went white.
I didn't keep track.""
"Then why did Grandma write your name in it?""
Mom's face went white.
I froze.
"What?""
She shook her head.
"Nothing.""
I leaned forward froze.
"What?""
She shook her head.
"Nothing.""
I leaned forward.
"Mom, why is your name in the ledger?""
She began crying.
"I didn't want.
"Mom, why is your name in the ledger?""
She began crying.
"I didn't want things to happen this way.""
"Then tell me what happened.""
She covered her face.
"I things to happen this way.""
"Then tell me what happened.""
She covered her face.
"I signed something for signed something for your father.""
"What?""
"A document.""
"What document?""
She looked toward the garage.
"Your grandmother's property transfer.""
The room went silent.
"You signed the paperwork that transferred Grandma's house?""
Mom nodded.
I stared at her.
"Did you know it was mine?""
Her tears fell onto the table.
"Yes.""
I stepped backward.
For a moment, I couldn't recognize the woman sitting in your father.""
"What?""
"A document.""
"What document?""
She looked toward the garage.
"Your grandmother's property transfer.""
The room went silent.
"You signed the paperwork that transferred Grandma's house?""
Mom nodded.
I stared at her.
"Did you know it was mine?""
Her tears fell onto the table.
"Yes.""
I stepped backward.
For a moment, I couldn't recognize the woman sitting in front of me.
She had helped me with school projects. She had held me when I front of me.
She had helped me with school projects. She had held me when I had nightmares. She had attended every birthday party.
And she had knowingly helped steal my inheritance.
had nightmares. She had attended every birthday party.
And she had knowingly helped steal my inheritance.
"Why?""
She looked up.
"Your father said he would lose the house if we"Why?""
She looked up.
"Your father said he would lose the house if we didn't do it.""
"It wasn't his house to lose!""
"I know.""
"Then why did you sign?""
didn't do it.""
"It wasn't his house to lose!""
"I know.""
"Then why did you sign?""
She began sobbing harder.
"Because he said the bank would take everything. He said we'd allShe began sobbing harder.
"Because he said the bank would take everything. He said we'd all be homeless.""
I stared at her.
"Where did the money go?""
She shook her head.
"I don't be homeless.""
I stared at her.
"Where did the money go?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know.""
I wanted to believe her.
But I remembered the message from the probate office.
The forged authorization.
The false address know.""
I wanted to believe her.
But I remembered the message from the probate office.
The forged authorization.
The false address.
The documents she had witnessed.
"Mom, did you help him create the company under my.
The documents she had witnessed.
"Mom, did you help him create the company under my name?""
She looked away.
That was enough.
I walked toward the garage.
Dad's voice came name?""
She looked away.
That was enough.
I walked toward the garage.
Dad's voice came from inside.
"Who said you could come in?""
He stood beside an old wooden desk from inside.
"Who said you could come in?""
He stood beside an old wooden desk.
A black ledger lay beneath his hand.
I stopped at the doorway.
"I want the book.""
.
A black ledger lay beneath his hand.
I stopped at the doorway.
"I want the book.""
He laughed.
"Absolutely not.""
"Grandma's records belong to her estate.""
"They belongHe laughed.
"Absolutely not.""
"Grandma's records belong to her estate.""
"They belong to me.""
"No, they don't.""
He closed the desk drawer.
"You're becoming obsessed to me.""
"No, they don't.""
He closed the desk drawer.
"You're becoming obsessed with this.""
I looked at the lock.
"Open it.""
"Get out.""
Ethan with this.""
I looked at the lock.
"Open it.""
"Get out.""
Ethan appeared behind me.
"Dad, just give her the ledger.""
Dad turned.
"Stay out of this.""
"I'm appeared behind me.
"Dad, just give her the ledger.""
Dad turned.
"Stay out of this.""
"I'm in it whether you like it or not.""
Dad pointed toward him in it whether you like it or not.""
Dad pointed toward him.
"You wouldn't have anything without me.""
Ethan's face tightened.
"Maybe that's the problem.
"You wouldn't have anything without me.""
Ethan's face tightened.
"Maybe that's the problem.""
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Dad stepped toward Ethan.
"After everything I've done for you, this.""
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Dad stepped toward Ethan.
"After everything I've done for you, this is how you repay me?""
Ethan shook his head.
"You told me Grandma gave you the is how you repay me?""
Ethan shook his head.
"You told me Grandma gave you the money. You told me it was yours.""
"It was family money.""
"It was Claire's money!""
money. You told me it was yours.""
"It was family money.""
"It was Claire's money!""
Dad slapped his palm against the desk.
"Enough!""
I took out my phone.
"I'm calling James.""
Dad slapped his palm against the desk.
"Enough!""
I took out my phone.
"I'm calling James.""
Dad reached for the ledger.
I watched him pull it from the drawer.
Then he did something unexpected.
Dad reached for the ledger.
I watched him pull it from the drawer.
Then he did something unexpected.
He tore out several pages.
"Stop!"" Ethan shouted.
Dad ripped another section free and shovedHe tore out several pages.
"Stop!"" Ethan shouted.
Dad ripped another section free and shoved the loose pages into his jacket.
I rushed forward.
He pushed the loose pages into his jacket.
I rushed forward.
He pushed the ledger against his chest.
"Get out of my way!""
"Those are Grandma's records!""
"They're the ledger against his chest.
"Get out of my way!""
"Those are Grandma's records!""
"They're private!""
I grabbed the remaining book.
For several seconds, we struggled over it private!""
I grabbed the remaining book.
For several seconds, we struggled over it.
Then Ethan stepped between us.
"Dad! Stop!""
Dad released the ledger.
I stumbled backward, clutching.
Then Ethan stepped between us.
"Dad! Stop!""
Dad released the ledger.
I stumbled backward, clutching it against my chest.
He stared at me with an expression I had never seen before.
"You have it against my chest.
He stared at me with an expression I had never seen before.
"You have no idea what you've done.""
I opened the ledger.
Several pages were missing.
But the remaining entries were still readable.
I no idea what you've done.""
I opened the ledger.
Several pages were missing.
But the remaining entries were still readable.
I flipped through them.
There were dates going back almost ten years.
Payments to flipped through them.
There were dates going back almost ten years.
Payments to my father.
Loans.
Repayments.
Unpaid balances.
Then I found the section marked with Ethan my father.
Loans.
Repayments.
Unpaid balances.
Then I found the section marked with Ethan's name.
*Initial business funding — $35,000.*
Beneath it:
**'s name.
*Initial business funding — $35,000.*
Beneath it:
*Vehicle purchase assistance — $18,500.*
Another entry:
*Additional personal support — $12,Vehicle purchase assistance — $18,500.*
Another entry:
*Additional personal support — $12,000.*
I looked at Ethan.
His face was pale.
"That's not all," he whispered.
I turned another page.
000.**
I looked at Ethan.
His face was pale.
"That's not all," he whispered.
I turned another page.
There was a section labeled:
*Claire — Education Fund.*
My hands began shaking.
The firstThere was a section labeled:
*Claire — Education Fund.*
My hands began shaking.
The first entry showed the original amount Grandma had deposited.
$10,000.
My tuition savings.
entry showed the original amount Grandma had deposited.
$10,000.
My tuition savings.
But beneath it was another entry.
*Additional education reserve — $25,000.*
I stared at the number.
GrandmaBut beneath it was another entry.
*Additional education reserve — $25,000.*
I stared at the number.
Grandma had left me another twenty-five thousand dollars.
Money I had never known existed.
The final entry was dated three had left me another twenty-five thousand dollars.
Money I had never known existed.
The final entry was dated three weeks before her death.
**Remaining balance: $25,000. To be transferred directly to Claire upon weeks before her death.
*Remaining balance: $25,000. To be transferred directly to Claire upon completion of probate.*
I looked at Dad.
"Where is this money?""
He said nothing.
Ethan stepped completion of probate.**
I looked at Dad.
"Where is this money?""
He said nothing.
Ethan stepped closer.
"Claire, look at the next page.""
I turned it.
A handwritten note appeared beneath the final entry closer.
"Claire, look at the next page.""
I turned it.
A handwritten note appeared beneath the final entry.
*Richard claims this money was used to settle an emergency debt. I have not authorized.
Richard claims this money was used to settle an emergency debt. I have not authorized any such withdrawal.
My throat tightened.
Grandma had known.
She had known Dad was any such withdrawal.*
My throat tightened.
Grandma had known.
She had known Dad was taking money from my education fund.
I looked at the next line.
It contained a bank account number and a transfer date.
The transfer had happened after Grandma died taking money from my education fund.
I looked at the next line.
It contained a bank account number and a transfer date.
The transfer had happened after Grandma died.
I read the recipient name.
*NORTHBRIDGE HOLDINGS LLC.*
I raised my.
I read the recipient name.
*NORTHBRIDGE HOLDINGS LLC.*
I raised my eyes.
"You used my education reserve to fund the company too.""
Dad's expression hardened.
"I was going eyes.
"You used my education reserve to fund the company too.""
Dad's expression hardened.
"I was going to replace it.""
"With what?""
He didn't answer.
I took photographs of every page to replace it.""
"With what?""
He didn't answer.
I took photographs of every page.
Then I carefully closed the ledger.
My phone rang.
James.
I answered on speaker.
Then I carefully closed the ledger.
My phone rang.
James.
I answered on speaker.
"Claire, I need you to listen. I've received a call from the bank.""
"What happened?""
.
"Claire, I need you to listen. I've received a call from the bank.""
"What happened?""
"The lender has temporarily suspended the $350,000 loan application.""
I exhaled.
"Good.""
"The lender has temporarily suspended the $350,000 loan application.""
I exhaled.
"Good.""
"There's a problem. Someone submitted additional documents this afternoon.""
"What documents?""
"There's a problem. Someone submitted additional documents this afternoon.""
"What documents?""
James paused.
"An authorization claiming that you agreed to transfer your inheritance to Northbridge Holdings.""
James paused.
"An authorization claiming that you agreed to transfer your inheritance to Northbridge Holdings.""
I looked at Dad.
He was watching me.
James continued.
"And Claire, the document contains a witness signatureI looked at Dad.
He was watching me.
James continued.
"And Claire, the document contains a witness signature from your mother.""
I slowly turned toward her.
Mom began crying again.
But before I could say anything, James added from your mother.""
I slowly turned toward her.
Mom began crying again.
But before I could say anything, James added something else.
"The document also includes a recorded statement from someone claiming you personally approved something else.
"The document also includes a recorded statement from someone claiming you personally approved the transaction.""
My stomach dropped.
"Who?""
James hesitated.
Then he said:
"Ethan the transaction.""
My stomach dropped.
"Who?""
James hesitated.
Then he said:
"Ethan.""
I turned toward my brother.
His face had gone completely white.
And for the first time, I wondered whether he had been helping.""
I turned toward my brother.
May you like
His face had gone completely white.
And for the first time, I wondered whether he had been helping our father all along.
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