Chapter 3: The Name On The Paper
I stared at the document in Dad’s hands.
My name.
Printed clearly.
JASMINE CARTER.
For a moment, my brain refused to understand what I was seeing.
“What is that?””
Dad didn’t answer immediately.
He looked angry.
Not the kind of anger where someone raises their voice.
The kind where someone is trying very hard not to.
“This is a loan application.””
My stomach dropped.
“A what?””
“A loan.””
I took the paper from him.
The first page looked normal.
Until I saw the signature.
My signature.
Except I knew instantly.
I didn’t sign it.
“Dad…”
My voice shook.
“That’s not mine.””
His eyes met mine.
“I know.””
The room suddenly felt smaller.
“Someone used my name.””
Dad nodded.
“And your information.””
I sat down.
I felt numb.
Jessica wasn’t just asking me for money.
She had been using me.
For what, I didn’t know yet.
That evening, Dad confronted her.
I stayed in the living room.
Not because I wanted to listen.
Because I needed answers.
Jessica stood near the kitchen counter.
When Dad placed the papers down, her face changed.
“You went through my things?””
“No.””
Dad’s voice was cold.
“I found documents that have my daughter’s name on them.””
Jessica froze.
“I can explain.””
“Good.””
He pointed at the papers.
“Explain.””
She looked nervous.
“I was going to tell you.””
“When?””
She didn’t respond.
Dad laughed bitterly.
“When the money arrived?””
Jessica looked hurt.
“You’re acting like I committed a crime.””
Dad stared at her.
“Did Jasmine sign this?””
Jessica looked away.
That was the answer.
I stepped forward.
“Did you?””
Jessica looked at me.
“Jasmine…”
“Did you use my information?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
But this time, I didn’t feel sympathy.
“I needed help.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
She wiped her face.
“You don’t understand.””
“Then explain.””
Jessica sat down.
“Tyler got into trouble.””
Dad frowned.
“What kind of trouble?””
She hesitated.
Then whispered:
“He owes people money.””
My heart stopped.
“What people?””
Jessica looked terrified.
“I thought I could fix it.””
Dad stepped closer.
“By taking loans in Jasmine’s name?””
“I was going to pay it back!””
“With what?””
Silence.
Dad looked devastated.
Not angry.
Devastated.
Because this wasn’t just about money anymore.
It was betrayal.
A few minutes later, Tyler came home.
He walked through the door wearing expensive headphones and carrying shopping bags.
He stopped when he saw our faces.
“What happened?””
Dad looked at him.
“Sit down.””
Tyler laughed nervously.
“Why?””
“Because we need to talk about the money you owe.””
Tyler’s expression changed.
“What money?””
Jessica immediately looked at him.
“Tyler.””
He looked away.
Dad noticed.
“You knew.””
Tyler stayed silent.
“You knew your mother was trying to make Jasmine pay?””
“No.””
Dad pointed toward the bags.
“Then explain all of this.””
Tyler looked uncomfortable.
“I didn’t ask her to do that.””
“But you accepted everything she bought.””
He had no answer.
I looked at the person who had grown up calling me his sister.
And suddenly he felt like a stranger.
Then Tyler said something that shocked me.
“Mom said Jasmine wouldn’t care.””
I looked at Jessica.
“What does that mean?””
Nobody spoke.
Then Tyler continued.
“She said Jasmine has Dad wrapped around her finger.””
My chest tightened.
Jessica immediately stood.
“Tyler, stop.””
But it was too late.
Dad heard everything.
He looked at Jessica.
“You told him that?””
She looked down.
The room became silent.
Then Dad walked toward the hallway.
“I need to make a call.””
Jessica panicked.
“David, please.””
He stopped.
“Please what?””
She had no answer.
Dad walked away.
And as he picked up his phone, I realized something.
May you like
The woman who tried to make me leave my own home…
might be the one who would have to leave it.
