Chapter 8: The Man From the Past
Nobody moved.
My father stood frozen in the doorway.
I could see thousands of thoughts crossing his face.
Anger.
Confusion.
Betrayal.
Fear.
The man standing outside looked older than the photograph.
But it was definitely him.
Robert.
My mother's brother.
The man who had disappeared.
The man who was supposed to be dead.
My father finally spoke.
"You have five seconds to explain why you're standing at my door.""
Robert looked tired.
Not dangerous.
Just exhausted.
"I know what this looks like.""
"It looks like you lied about being dead.""
Robert lowered his eyes.
"I had reasons.""
My father laughed.
"Everyone has reasons.""
That sentence hurt because I knew exactly what he meant.
Too many people had used excuses while hurting us.
Robert looked at me.
"You must be Maya.""
I stepped back.
"How do you know my name?""
His expression softened.
"Because your mother talked about you every day.""
I didn't know how to respond.
Nobody had spoken about my mother in years like she was still here.
My father opened the door wider.
"Come inside.""
I looked at him.
"Dad?""
He shook his head.
"I need answers.""
Inside, Robert sat at the table.
The same table where everything had started.
The shirt.
The receipts.
The truth.
Funny how one piece of furniture could hold so much pain.
My father crossed his arms.
"Start talking.""
Robert nodded.
"Elaine discovered something about Denise.""
My father sighed.
"We know.""
Robert looked surprised.
"You know about Denise?""
"She stole money from me.""
Robert looked down.
"That was only the beginning.""
My stomach tightened.
"What does that mean?""
Robert looked at me.
"Your mother discovered Denise wasn't working alone.""
My father leaned forward.
"With who?""
Robert didn't answer immediately.
Then he said:
"Me.""
The room went silent.
My father stood.
"What?""
Robert raised his hand.
"Listen.""
"No.""
My father's voice shook.
"You disappeared.""
"Because I found out what was happening.""
"Explain.""
Robert took a breath.
"Years ago, Denise approached me.""
My father stared.
"Why?""
"Because she knew about Elaine's family trust.""
My heart dropped.
The inheritance.
Robert continued.
"She wanted access.""
My father looked disgusted.
"And you helped her?""
Robert looked ashamed.
"At first.""
Nobody expected that answer.
He continued.
"I was in debt. Bad debt. Denise promised she could fix everything.""
My father's fists tightened.
"Using my daughter?""
Robert closed his eyes.
"Yes.""
The honesty made it worse.
I couldn't believe it.
My own family.
So many people had looked at me and seen an opportunity.
Not a person.
My father walked away.
"What happened then?""
Robert looked at the floor.
"Elaine found out.""
"And?""
"She confronted us.""
The room became quiet.
Robert's voice lowered.
"She told me she would expose everything.""
My father stared.
"What did Denise do?""
Robert looked at me.
"She threatened Elaine.""
My breath caught.
"Threatened her?""
Robert nodded.
"She told Elaine that nobody would believe her.""
My father looked sick.
"And then?""
Robert swallowed.
"Then Elaine died.""
The silence was unbearable.
My father whispered:
"Are you saying Denise had something to do with my wife's death?""
Robert looked down.
"I'm saying Elaine believed she did.""
Before anyone could say another word, a car door slammed outside.
We all turned.
My father's face changed.
Because he recognized the vehicle.
It was Denise.
And she wasn't alone.
May you like
She had brought someone with her.
Someone holding a briefcase.
