Chapter 4: The Name They Used Next
I had spent thirty-two years believing my mother was capable of almost anything except deliberately destroying her own children.
That belief lasted until Rebecca called me back.
"Nia, are you somewhere private?""
I glanced around the ballroom.
My mother was whispering to Claire. Marcus stood near the bar, pretending to be interested in his phone. Aunt Patricia was watching all three of them.
"Not exactly," I answered.
"But I can step outside.""
"Good. I need you to listen carefully. The preliminary filing includes a second guarantor.""
I walked toward the hallway.
"Who?""
"Marcus Carter.""
I stopped.
"My brother?""
"Yes. His signature appears beside yours.""
I looked through the glass doors.
Marcus was laughing with one of our uncles.
He looked completely relaxed.
"Is the signature real?""
"According to the documents I've received, it appears to be his. But that's not the only issue. There's also a reference to a third-party company.""
"What company?""
"MC Holdings.""
I frowned.
"What's that?""
"An entity registered several months ago. Your brother is listed as its managing member. Claire is listed as a beneficiary.""
I leaned against the wall.
"What does this have to do with me?""
Rebecca paused.
"MC Holdings submitted financial information that appears to include your company's projected revenue and property valuations.""
My stomach dropped.
"Those documents are confidential.""
"I know.""
"How did they get them?""
"That's what we're investigating. Did Marcus ever have access to your business records?""
I thought back.
Two years earlier, Marcus had helped me move some office equipment after I expanded into a second location.
He had spent several afternoons in my office.
I'd trusted him.
I'd even given him access to a temporary administrative folder so he could help organize invoices.
But that access had been revoked months later.
"Possibly. He helped me with some administrative work a while ago.""
"Did he have access to your accounting software?""
"No.""
"Banking credentials?""
"Never.""
"Good. I want you to preserve every email, document, and message connected to him.""
I closed my eyes.
"Rebecca, are you saying my brother used my business information to get a loan?""
"I'm saying the documents suggest someone attempted to use your financial standing to support a financing application. I won't assume who submitted what until we verify the records.""
I looked back into the ballroom.
My mother was now standing beside a large photograph of our childhood home.
The house where we had grown up.
The house I had been paying for.
"Rebecca, what happens if the application goes through?""
"That depends on what was actually filed and whether the lender relied on it. We need to contact the institution through its official fraud department immediately.""
"Do that.""
"I will. And Nia?""
"Yes?""
"Don't confront them about the financial application until we've secured the evidence.""
I ended the call.
But it was already too late.
My mother had noticed me standing in the hallway.
She walked toward me, holding her purse.
"What are you doing?""
"Making a phone call.""
"About what?""
"Business.""
She laughed.
"Everything is always about business with you.""
I looked at her emerald dress.
The diamond earrings.
The bracelet around her wrist.
All gifts from me.
"Mom, who is David Whitaker?""
Her smile disappeared.
"Why are you asking?""
"Because he appears to have been involved in documents using my name.""
She glanced toward the ballroom.
"Lower your voice.""
"Did you give him my financial information?""
"He is an attorney.""
"That's not an answer.""
Her expression hardened.
"Your brother was trying to help the family. You should be grateful.""
I stared at her.
"Grateful for what?""
"For finally having a plan that benefits everyone.""
"Except me?""
She shook her head.
"Don't be selfish.""
I felt something inside me break.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Just a final thread snapping.
"Mom, did you know Marcus was listed as a guarantor?""
She looked away.
That was enough.
"Did you know?""
"Your brother has always had responsibilities.""
"Then why did he need my financial records?""
She lowered her voice.
"Because you have the resources.""
I almost couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"So you thought my success belonged to everyone?""
"We're family, Nia.""
"And what am I?""
She blinked.
"What?""
"What am I to you when you don't need money?""
Her mouth opened.
Then closed.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Finally, she adjusted the pearl bracelet on her wrist.
"You're making a difficult situation worse.""
I nodded slowly.
"That's what you always say when I refuse to do what you want.""
I turned to leave.
She grabbed my arm.
"Don't you dare walk away from me.""
I looked down at her fingers.
Then back at her.
"Let go.""
She released me.
Her voice became cold.
"If you leave tonight, don't expect this family to welcome you back.""
I stared at her.
"Mom, I have been paying to keep this family comfortable for years. I think I've earned the right to leave a room where I'm not wanted.""
I walked away.
But before I reached the entrance, someone called my name.
It was Claire.
She hurried toward me, her heels striking the marble.
"Nia, wait.""
I stopped.
"What?""
She looked around before speaking.
"Can we talk?""
"About what?""
"About the business.""
I gave a humorless laugh.
"Your business?""
She nodded.
"Mom said you were going to help.""
"Mom was wrong.""
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
For a moment, I almost softened.
Then she said something that changed everything.
"You don't understand how much we've already promised.""
I stared at her.
"Promised to whom?""
She hesitated.
"The investors.""
"What investors?""
She glanced toward Marcus.
He was approaching us.
Claire lowered her voice.
"We were supposed to announce the expansion tonight. The investors are expecting confirmation that the funding is secured.""
"Funding secured by what?""
"Your guarantee.""
I looked at her.
"Claire, I never agreed to that.""
"Mom said you would.""
"She was wrong.""
Claire's face tightened.
"Do you know what happens if the deal falls apart?""
"That's not my responsibility.""
She stepped closer.
"You could destroy everything we've built.""
I stared at my sister.
"What exactly have you built?""
She looked offended.
"My boutique. My brand. My business.""
"Which I helped finance.""
"You gave me money.""
"Yes. I did.""
"And now you're throwing it in my face.""
I shook my head.
"No, Claire. I'm reminding you because you seem to have forgotten.""
She wiped beneath her eyes.
Then she whispered:
"You're not the only one who can lose something tonight.""
Before I could respond, she walked away.
I watched her return to Marcus.
The two of them exchanged a few hurried words.
Then Marcus pulled out his phone.
It rang.
He answered immediately.
"Yes, this is Marcus.""
A pause.
"No, the announcement hasn't happened yet.""
Another pause.
"Because we're dealing with a family issue.""
His expression changed.
He looked directly at me.
Then he said:
"What do you mean the funds have already been released?""
My blood ran cold.
He turned away.
But I had heard enough.
The loan might already have been approved.
And if someone had used my name to secure it, this was no longer just a family argument.
It was something much bigger.
My phone vibrated.
Rebecca had sent a message.
*Nia, the lender has confirmed receipt of the application. There is an urgent issue with the disbursement instructions. Call me immediately.*
I pressed the call button.
Rebecca answered on the first ring.
"Are you alone?""
"Yes.""
"Good. The lender has confirmed that an initial payment was released this morning.""
I gripped my phone.
"To whom?""
"MC Holdings.""
I closed my eyes.
"How much?""
"Four hundred and eighty thousand dollars.""
I couldn't speak.
Rebecca continued.
"And there's another problem. The application identifies you as the controlling financial guarantor.""
I looked toward my mother.
She was smiling again.
Greeting guests.
Accepting compliments.
As if nothing had happened.
"Rebecca, I never signed anything.""
"I know. That's why we're moving quickly.""
May you like
Then she said the sentence that made my legs feel weak.
"Nia, the lender believes the money was transferred with your authorization.""
