Chapter 7: The Father## Chapter 7: The Father Who Was Paid to Leave
I Who Was Paid to Leave
I couldn't hear anything except the pounding of couldn't hear anything except the pounding of my heart.
Darius had just admitted that Aunt Evelyn paid my heart.
Darius had just admitted that Aunt Evelyn paid him eighteen thousand dollars twenty years ago.
And he had said she was the reason he left.
“Explain that,” I demanded.
him eighteen thousand dollars twenty years ago.
And he had said she was the reason he left.
“Explain that,” I demanded.
“Nia, not over the phone.””
“You have eight months of explanations you owe me. Start with this one.””
“I“Nia, not over the phone.””
“You have eight months of explanations you owe me. Start with this one.””
“I made mistakes.””
“You keep saying that as though the words erase what you did.””
He made mistakes.””
“You keep saying that as though the words erase what you did.””
He exhaled sharply.
“Your aunt offered me money to disappear.””
I stared at the transfer.
“Why?””
“Because she believed your exhaled sharply.
“Your aunt offered me money to disappear.””
I stared at the transfer.
“Why?””
“Because she believed your mother was making a mistake by staying with me. She thought I was irresponsible, that I would ruin Catherine's life, and that you would be better off without me.””
“Was mother was making a mistake by staying with me. She thought I was irresponsible, that I would ruin Catherine's life, and that you would be better off without me.””
“Was she right?””
The question seemed to catch him off guard.
“What?””
“Were you irresponsible? Were you ruining Mom's life?””
He she right?””
The question seemed to catch him off guard.
“What?””
“Were you irresponsible? Were you ruining Mom's life?””
He was silent for so long that I thought the call had disconnected.
Then he said, “I had debts. I had made bad decisions. Your was silent for so long that I thought the call had disconnected.
Then he said, “I had debts. I had made bad decisions. Your mother and I argued constantly. But I loved her, Nia.””
“Did you love me?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did you take the money?””
His mother and I argued constantly. But I loved her, Nia.””
“Did you love me?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did you take the money?””
His voice dropped.
“Because I was drowning. I had creditors calling my workplace. I was behind on rent. Your mother voice dropped.
“Because I was drowning. I had creditors calling my workplace. I was behind on rent. Your mother had told me she wanted a divorce, and I thought I'd lost everything.””
“So you accepted eighteen thousand dollars to leave your daughter.””
“I told myself it had told me she wanted a divorce, and I thought I'd lost everything.””
“So you accepted eighteen thousand dollars to leave your daughter.””
“I told myself it would be temporary.””
“Twenty years isn't temporary.””
“I know.””
“No, you don't.””
I looked at Marcus.
He stood would be temporary.””
“Twenty years isn't temporary.””
“I know.””
“No, you don't.””
I looked at Marcus.
He stood beside his desk, watching me with an expression I couldn't read.
“Did you come back because you wanted to know me,” I asked, “or because beside his desk, watching me with an expression I couldn't read.
“Did you come back because you wanted to know me,” I asked, “or because Aunt Evelyn paid you again?””
Darius's breathing changed.
“That money wasn't for the same reason.””
“What was it for?””
“I needed Aunt Evelyn paid you again?””
Darius's breathing changed.
“That money wasn't for the same reason.””
“What was it for?””
“I needed help getting back on my feet.””
“And she paid you to contact me?””
“I was going to contact you anyway.””
“Eleven help getting back on my feet.””
“And she paid you to contact me?””
“I was going to contact you anyway.””
“Eleven days before you called me, you submitted a loan application using my signature.””
“I didn't forge anything.””
“Elaine has days before you called me, you submitted a loan application using my signature.””
“I didn't forge anything.””
“Elaine has the documents.””
“Elaine doesn't know the whole story.””
“Then tell me the whole story.””
He hesitated.
I could almost hear the documents.””
“Elaine doesn't know the whole story.””
“Then tell me the whole story.””
He hesitated.
I could almost hear him searching for a version of the truth that would make him look better.
Finally, he said, “Evelyn told me your trust him searching for a version of the truth that would make him look better.
Finally, he said, “Evelyn told me your trust was about to become accessible. She said you had a substantial inheritance, and Marcus was still managing your affairs. She thought you was about to become accessible.
She said you had a substantial inheritance, and Marcus was still managing your affairs. She thought you should know your biological father before you made any major financial decisions.””
“That sounds almost reasonable.””
“It was reasonable.””
“Then why did you use a forged signature?””
“I didn't know should know your biological father before you made any major financial decisions.””
“That sounds almost reasonable.””
“It was reasonable.””
“Then why did you use a forged signature?””
“I didn't know the bank would reject the application.””
The words came out so quickly that he seemed to realize his mistake only after he had spoken.
I the bank would reject the application.””
The words came out so quickly that he seemed to realize his mistake only after he had spoken.
I closed my eyes.
“You just admitted it.””
“Nia—”
“You knew the signature wasn't yours to use.””
“I was trying to arrange a loan. I intended to repay it closed my eyes.
“You just admitted it.””
“Nia—”
“You knew the signature wasn't yours to use.””
“I was trying to arrange a loan. I intended to repay it.””
“With my money.””
“With money that would have benefited you, too.””
I felt physically sick.””
“With my money.””
“With money that would have benefited you, too.””
I felt physically sick.
“You stole my name and called it love.””
“That's not fair.””
“Neither was asking Marcus.
“You stole my name and called it love.””
“That's not fair.””
“Neither was asking Marcus to watch me replace him with you.””
Darius fell silent.
I looked at the photograph of my mother outside the courthouse.
“Why did you withdraw your custody petition?””
He sighed to watch me replace him with you.””
Darius fell silent.
I looked at the photograph of my mother outside the courthouse.
“Why did you withdraw your custody petition?””
He sighed.
“Because I knew I couldn't provide what you needed.””
“Then why file it?””
“Because I thought I could win you back.””
“And when you realized you couldn't?””
“I took the money.””
The simplicity.
“Because I knew I couldn't provide what you needed.””
“Then why file it?””
“Because I thought I could win you back.””
“And when you realized you couldn't?””
“I took the money.””
The simplicity of the answer horrified me.
“You chose eighteen thousand dollars over your daughter.””
“I was young.””
“So was I.””
My voice cracked.
“I of the answer horrified me.
“You chose eighteen thousand dollars over your daughter.””
“I was young.””
“So was I.””
My voice cracked.
“I was six, Darius. I was six years old, and I waited for you to come back. I used to ask Marcus was six, Darius. I was six years old, and I waited for you to come back.
I used to ask Marcus whether you knew my birthday. I kept a drawing of you beside my bed because I thought you might recognize me whether you knew my birthday. I kept a drawing of you beside my bed because I thought you might recognize me if you ever returned.””
I wiped my face.
“Do you know what I thought when you finally called me?””
He didn't answer.
“I thought you had spent if you ever returned.””
I wiped my face.
“Do you know what I thought when you finally called me?””
He didn't answer.
“I thought you had spent twenty years regretting the worst mistake of your life. I thought you had finally become the father I remembered from the twenty years regretting the worst mistake of your life. I thought you had finally become the father I remembered from the photographs.””
“I do regret it.””
“Then why did you do it again?””
“I didn't abandon you again!””
“You photographs.””
“I do regret it.””
“Then why did you do it again?””
“I didn't abandon you again!””
“You used me.””
“I wanted a relationship with you!””
“Then you should have started with the truth.””
He used me.””
“I wanted a relationship with you!””
“Then you should have started with the truth.””
He began speaking faster.
“Evelyn told me Marcus had kept things from you. She said your began speaking faster.
“Evelyn told me Marcus had kept things from you. She said your mother had left money that should have been protected, and Marcus had spent part of it. She said you deserved to know what he had done.””
mother had left money that should have been protected, and Marcus had spent part of it. She said you deserved to know what he had done.””
I glanced at the medical receipts.
“Mom authorized those expenses.””
“I didn't know that.””
“You didn't ask.””
He was silent.
“You didn'tI glanced at the medical receipts.
“Mom authorized those expenses.””
“I didn't know that.””
“You didn't ask.””
He was silent.
“You didn't ask because you weren't interested in the truth. You were interested in the money.””
“Nia, please. I know I've hurt you, but I am still your ask because you weren't interested in the truth. You were interested in the money.””
“Nia, please. I know I've hurt you, but I am still your father.””
I looked at Marcus.
He had turned away, giving me privacy even though the conversation father.””
I looked at Marcus.
He had turned away, giving me privacy even though the conversation was breaking his heart.
“No,” I said quietly.
“You're the man who helped bring me into the world. Being my father was something was breaking his heart.
“No,” I said quietly.
“You're the man who helped bring me into the world. Being my father was something you had to keep choosing.””
Then I ended the call.
For several seconds, I stood motionless.
I wanted to throw the phone across the room.
I wanted to scream at Aunt Evelyn.
I wanted to go back to yesterday morning, you had to keep choosing.””
Then I ended the call.
For several seconds, I stood motionless.
I wanted to throw the phone across the room.
I wanted to scream at Aunt Evelyn.
I wanted to go back to yesterday morning, when the only thing I had worried about was whether the flowers would wilt before the ceremony.
Instead, I sat down and cried.
Marcus brought me a glass of water.
He didn't tell me he had been right.
He didn't say he when the only thing I had worried about was whether the flowers would wilt before the ceremony.
Instead, I sat down and cried.
Marcus brought me a glass of water.
He didn't tell me he had been right.
He didn't say he had warned me.
He simply sat beside me until I could breathe again.
When I finally looked up, he asked, “What are you had warned me.
He simply sat beside me until I could breathe again.
When I finally looked up, he asked, “What are you going to do?””
I wiped my cheeks.
“I'm going to find out why Evelyn is so desperate to get my inheritance.””
He nodded going to do?””
I wiped my cheeks.
“I'm going to find out why Evelyn is so desperate to get my inheritance.””
He nodded.
“Elaine can help.””
“I also want to know what happened to the money she paid Darius twenty years ago.””
“Then.
“Elaine can help.””
“I also want to know what happened to the money she paid Darius twenty years ago.””
“Then we'll find out.””
I looked at him.
“You'll help me?””
“Of course.””
Even now.
Even after I we'll find out.””
I looked at him.
“You'll help me?””
“Of course.””
Even now.
Even after I had hurt him in front of everyone who mattered.
Even after I had told him he wasn't my real father.
He was still willing to sit beside me and help me had hurt him in front of everyone who mattered.
Even after I had told him he wasn't my real father.
He was still willing to sit beside me and help me untangle the damage.
I reached for his hand.
“Thank you, Dad.””
The word slipped out before I could think about it.
Marcus went completely still.
untangle the damage.
I reached for his hand.
“Thank you, Dad.””
The word slipped out before I could think about it.
Marcus went completely still.
I had called him Marcus so often in recent months that I hadn't noticed how rarely I used the other word.
Dad.
It hadI had called him Marcus so often in recent months that I hadn't noticed how rarely I used the other word.
Dad.
It had always been there.
Waiting.
He looked away, but not before I saw his eyes fill.
“Don't thank me for always been there.
Waiting.
He looked away, but not before I saw his eyes fill.
“Don't thank me for being your father, sweetheart.””
I squeezed his hand.
“I think I need to.””
That afternoon, Elaine being your father, sweetheart.””
I squeezed his hand.
“I think I need to.””
That afternoon, Elaine met us at the bank.
She had arranged for the bank's fraud investigator, a woman named Patricia Wells, to review the records with us. Patricia had a calm voice and a habit of tapping the corner of every document before she spoke.
She placed three statements met us at the bank.
She had arranged for the bank's fraud investigator, a woman named Patricia Wells, to review the records with us. Patricia had a calm voice and a habit of tapping the corner of every document before she spoke.
She placed three statements on the conference table.
“The eighteen-thousand-dollar payment from twenty years ago came from a company account controlled by Evelyn Bennett,” she explained.
“The recent twelve-thousand-five-hundred-dollar transfer came from the same account.””
“Were both payments made on the conference table.
“The eighteen-thousand-dollar payment from twenty years ago came from a company account controlled by Evelyn Bennett,” she explained.
“The recent twelve-thousand-five-hundred-dollar transfer came from the same account.””
“Were both payments made to Darius?”” I asked.
“Yes.””
“Then it's the same arrangement.””
“Possibly,” Patricia said.
“But the first payment was to Darius?”” I asked.
“Yes.””
“Then it's the same arrangement.””
“Possibly,” Patricia said.
“But the first payment was categorized as a personal loan. The second was categorized as consulting fees.””
“Did Darius provide any consulting?””
Patricia shook her head.
“We have no record of a contract or completed work corresponding to that categorized as a personal loan. The second was categorized as consulting fees.””
“Did Darius provide any consulting?””
Patricia shook her head.
“We have no record of a contract or completed work corresponding to that payment.””
I leaned forward.
“So she paid him to come back into my life.””
“That is a reasonable suspicion, but it would need to be established through the underlying communications payment.””
I leaned forward.
“So she paid him to come back into my life.””
“That is a reasonable suspicion, but it would need to be established through the underlying communications.””
Elaine opened her folder.
“We have those communications.””
She laid out the emails, including the message about transferring my trust into a joint account.
Patricia read the pages carefully.
Then.””
Elaine opened her folder.
“We have those communications.””
She laid out the emails, including the message about transferring my trust into a joint account.
Patricia read the pages carefully.
Then she removed her glasses.
“This is serious.””
“Can she be arrested?”” I asked.
“That depends on the evidence and the authorities' assessment. What we can establish today is that the recent loan application contained a signature she removed her glasses.
“This is serious.””
“Can she be arrested?”” I asked.
“That depends on the evidence and the authorities' assessment. What we can establish today is that the recent loan application contained a signature your handwriting examiner identified as a probable forgery.””
“And the money?””
“Your trust remains protected. We have placed additional restrictions on unauthorized changes your handwriting examiner identified as a probable forgery.””
“And the money?””
“Your trust remains protected. We have placed additional restrictions on unauthorized changes.””
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
Then Patricia turned to another page.
“There is one more transaction we need to discuss.””
She placed a statement in front of me.
.””
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
Then Patricia turned to another page.
“There is one more transaction we need to discuss.””
She placed a statement in front of me.
It showed a transfer of $18,000 from Bennett Family Holdings into an account held by Darius Cole.
The date was the sameIt showed a transfer of $18,000 from Bennett Family Holdings into an account held by Darius Cole.
The date was the same as the old transfer.
But the statement included an additional reference number.
Patricia pointed to it.
“This number links the transfer to a second account.””
“Whose account?””
She turned the as the old transfer.
But the statement included an additional reference number.
Patricia pointed to it.
“This number links the transfer to a second account.””
“Whose account?””
She turned the page.
The account belonged to Evelyn Bennett.
My aunt had received a payment of $18,000 from Darius three days after he page.
The account belonged to Evelyn Bennett.
My aunt had received a payment of $18,000 from Darius three days after he withdrew his custody petition.
I stared at the figures.
“She paid him eighteen thousand dollars, and he paid her back the same amount?””
“That's what the records show.””
“Why?””
Patricia shook her head.
“We don't know yet.””
Elaine leaned closer withdrew his custody petition.
I stared at the figures.
“She paid him eighteen thousand dollars, and he paid her back the same amount?””
“That's what the records show.””
“Why?””
Patricia shook her head.
“We don't know yet.””
Elaine leaned closer.
“Could the money have been routed through Darius to conceal its source?””
“It could have been. We would need more records to determine that.””
I stared at the statement.
The money.
“Could the money have been routed through Darius to conceal its source?””
“It could have been. We would need more records to determine that.””
I stared at the statement.
The money hadn't simply disappeared.
It had moved in a circle.
Evelyn paid Darius.
Darius returned the money to Evelyn.
And somewhere in the hadn't simply disappeared.
It had moved in a circle.
Evelyn paid Darius.
Darius returned the money to Evelyn.
And somewhere in the middle of that transaction, my father had walked away from his six-year-old daughter.
I looked at Marcus.
He middle of that transaction, my father had walked away from his six-year-old daughter.
I looked at Marcus.
He seemed as stunned as I was.
“There's something else,” Patricia said.
She opened a final document.
It was a company ledger seemed as stunned as I was.
“There's something else,” Patricia said.
She opened a final document.
It was a company ledger dated two months after my mother's death.
One line had been highlighted.
*Beneficiary settlement — Catherine Bennett estate.*
The amount was $18,000.
The dated two months after my mother's death.
One line had been highlighted.
*Beneficiary settlement — Catherine Bennett estate.*
The amount was $18,000.
The recipient was listed as an account controlled by Evelyn Bennett.
I stared at the page.
“Is that the same eighteen thousand dollars?””
Patricia nodded slowly.
“The transaction identifiers suggest recipient was listed as an account controlled by Evelyn Bennett.
I stared at the page.
“Is that the same eighteen thousand dollars?””
Patricia nodded slowly.
“The transaction identifiers suggest it may be connected.””
My mouth went dry.
“So the money my aunt paid Darius came from my mother's estate?””
“We cannot confirm that conclusively without the original account it may be connected.””
My mouth went dry.
“So the money my aunt paid Darius came from my mother's estate?””
“We cannot confirm that conclusively without the original account records,” Patricia said.
“But the pattern is concerning.””
I looked at the date.
My mother had been dead for less than a month.
Darius had withdrawn his custody petition.
Evelyn had records,” Patricia said.
“But the pattern is concerning.””
I looked at the date.
My mother had been dead for less than a month.
Darius had withdrawn his custody petition.
Evelyn had received eighteen thousand dollars.
And someone had used the money to make my biological father disappear.
I turned toward Elaine.
“What happens now?””
“We continue received eighteen thousand dollars.
And someone had used the money to make my biological father disappear.
I turned toward Elaine.
“What happens now?””
“We continue the investigation,” she said.
“And we need to speak with Evelyn.””
I pulled out my phone.
I had one the investigation,” she said.
“And we need to speak with Evelyn.””
I pulled out my phone.
I had one message from my aunt.
*Darling, I know you're upset message from my aunt.
Darling, I know you're upset. Please come to dinner tonight. Just the two of us. There are things I need to explain.
I read it aloud.
Marcus's expression hardened.
“Don't go alone.””
I looked at the message again.
For years, Evelyn had been the person who brought me birthday cakes, wrapped my Christmas presents, and called me on the first day of every new job.
She had held me when I cried over my first breakup.
She had sat. Please come to dinner tonight. Just the two of us. There are things I need to explain.*
I read it aloud.
Marcus's expression hardened.
“Don't go alone.””
I looked at the message again.
For years, Evelyn had been the person who brought me birthday cakes, wrapped my Christmas presents, and called me on the first day of every new job.
She had held me when I cried over my first breakup.
She had sat beside me at my college graduation.
She had helped me choose the wedding dress I was now too ashamed to wear.
I wanted to believe there beside me at my college graduation.
She had helped me choose the wedding dress I was now too ashamed to wear.
I wanted to believe there was an explanation that didn't destroy all those memories.
But when I typed my reply, I knew I couldn't afford to trust was an explanation that didn't destroy all those memories.
But when I typed my reply, I knew I couldn't afford to trust her blindly.
I'll come. But Elaine will be with me.
The response arrived almost immediately.
**No. If you bring that attorney her blindly.
I'll come. But Elaine will be with me.
The response arrived almost immediately.
*No. If you bring that attorney, you'll never learn what your mother was really trying to protect you from.*
I stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
*And if Marcus tells you his version first, you'll never hear mine.*
I looked at Marcus.
He, you'll never learn what your mother was really trying to protect you from.**
I stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
*And if Marcus tells you his version first, you'll never hear mine.*
I looked at Marcus.
He had read the message over my shoulder.
For the first time, he didn't tell me what to do.
He simply said, “Whatever you decide, make sure you're asking had read the message over my shoulder.
For the first time, he didn't tell me what to do.
He simply said, “Whatever you decide, make sure you're asking questions because you want answers—not because someone has made you afraid of the truth.””
I nodded.
Then I sent one final message to my aunt.
*Tonight questions because you want answers—not because someone has made you afraid of the truth.””
I nodded.
Then I sent one final message to my aunt.
Tonight. Seven o'clock. And I'm bringing the documents.
Her reply came within seconds.
*Then bring the original letter your. Seven o'clock. And I'm bringing the documents.
Her reply came within seconds.
May you like
*Then bring the original letter your mother left you. Because I can prove Marcus lied about that, too.*
mother left you. Because I can prove Marcus lied about that, too.**
