Chapter 7: The Lie About My Mother
The accusation felt worse than the missing money.
Because Rebecca knew exactly where to hurt us.
She knew my mother was the one person I would never defend against.
The one person I would never question.
When my father told me what Rebecca claimed, I thought I had misunderstood.
“She said Mom gave her permission?””
Dad nodded.
“That’s what she told the lawyer.””
I stared at him.
“That’s impossible.””
“I know.””
“But why would she say that?””
My father looked angry.
“Because she needs a defense.””
The next day, we met with Mr. Harrison again.
Rebecca joined through video call.
I hadn’t seen her since she left the house.
She looked different.
Not because she had changed.
Because I saw her differently.
Before, I saw my stepmother.
Now, I saw someone who had lied to me.
“Sophie,” she said softly.
I didn’t respond.
She looked at my father.
“Daniel, you know Emily trusted me.””
My father’s face hardened.
“Don’t say her name like you cared about her.””
Rebecca looked offended.
“I did care about her.””
“No.””
His voice was quiet.
“You cared about what she left behind.””
The lawyer raised his hand.
“Let’s keep this focused.””
Rebecca took a breath.
“I’m saying Emily and I talked about Sophie’s future.””
I looked at her.
“My mother never trusted you with my money.””
“That’s not true.””
“It is.””
Rebecca shook her head.
“Your mother wanted you to have opportunities.””
“She did.””
“And she knew Marcus was struggling.””
My eyes narrowed.
“What does Marcus have to do with this?””
Rebecca looked away.
That pause told me everything.
Mr. Harrison noticed too.
“Mrs. Carter, answer the question.””
She sighed.
“Emily wanted our family to help each other.””
I almost laughed.
My mother died before Rebecca and Marcus were even fully part of our lives.
“She barely knew you.””
Rebecca’s expression changed.
“She knew enough.””
My father leaned forward.
“Show us proof.””
Silence.
“What?””
“If Emily gave you permission, show us.””
Rebecca had no answer.
The lawyer looked through his notes.
“There are no written agreements.””
“She told me verbally.””
My father laughed.
“Convenient.””
Rebecca became angry.
“You think I planned this?””
“Yes.””
The word came immediately.
She looked hurt.
But I didn’t believe her anymore.
After the meeting, I went outside.
I needed air.
The world felt strange.
My mother had been gone for years.
But Rebecca was still trying to use her voice.
I sat on a bench outside the office.
A few minutes later, Marcus sat beside me.
Neither of us spoke.
Finally, he said:
“I’m sorry.””
I looked at him.
“You already said that.””
“I know.””
He looked down.
“But I don’t think I said it enough.””
I was quiet.
“My mom made me believe you hated me.””
I sighed.
“She made me believe you were spoiled.””
He nodded.
“I was.””
I looked at him.
He shrugged.
“I mean, I was. I didn’t question anything.””
That honesty surprised me.
“You didn’t know.””
“I should have.””
“No.””
He looked at me.
“She stole your future for my dream.””
I shook my head.
“Marcus…”
“I need you to hear me.””
His eyes were red.
“I don’t want that car. I don’t want anything she bought.””
I believed him.
Because for the first time, Marcus wasn’t trying to impress anyone.
He was just a kid who realized his mother had crossed a line.
That evening, Dad and I received another call from the lawyer.
This time, it was about evidence.
“Your mother kept records,” he said.
My father sat up.
“What records?””
“Financial records.””
My heart jumped.
“What kind?””
“Every deposit she made into Sophie’s account.””
He paused.
“And every person she listed as someone who was not allowed access.””
I looked at my father.
“Who?””
The lawyer answered.
“Rebecca.””
My chest tightened.
My mother had predicted this.
“She specifically wrote that Rebecca Carter was never to have authority over the funds.””
Nobody spoke.
Then the lawyer added:
“There’s more.””
My father frowned.
“What?””
“She also left instructions about what to do if someone attempted to access the money illegally.””
I felt a chill.
“What instructions?””
The lawyer’s voice became serious.
“She wanted the account locked immediately and investigated.””
I looked at my father.
My mother had been protecting me even after she was gone.
Then the lawyer said something that changed everything.
“Mr. Carter, there is one more name mentioned in your wife’s documents.””
My father asked:
“Whose?””
A pause.
Then:
“Someone who was supposed to watch over Sophie’s money if you couldn’t.””
I held my breath.
“Who?””
The lawyer answered.
And I felt the ground disappear beneath me.
Because it wasn’t a family member.
May you like
It wasn’t a lawyer.
It was someone Rebecca knew.
