Chapter 9: The Truth About My College Fund
I couldn't move.
Mom's words hung in the kitchen, so simple and final that my mind refused to accept them.
There is no money left in that account.
I had spent years believing I had a small financial safety net waiting for me after high school. Mom had mentioned it whenever we discussed college applications, tuition, or whether I could afford to live on campus.
She had even told me not to worry about scholarship deadlines because we'd have options.
Now she stood in front of me admitting that the money was gone.
"How much was in the account?"" I asked account.
My mother had used my future as collateral for a loan.
I heard footsteps behind me.
I spun around.
Mom stood at the kitchen entrance.
Her eyes dropped to the laptop.
For a moment, she looked as though she might faint.
"Maya," she whispered.
I pointed at the screen.
"Where's my college money?""
She didn't move.
"Mom. Where is it?""
Her lips trembled.
May you like
Then she said the words that shattered the last piece of trust I had left.
"There is no money left in that account.""
