Chapter 3: The Lie She Told Everyone
By the end of the week, I noticed something strange.
People were looking at me differently.
Neighbors.
Family friends.
Even some parents from Cameron’s basketball team.
At first, I didn’t understand why.
Then I received a message from an old family friend.
“Jasmine, I’m sorry things got so bad with your stepmother.””
I stared at the screen.
Things got bad?
I replied.
“What do you mean?””
The answer came seconds later.
“Jessica said you forced your father to choose between you and Cameron.””
My stomach dropped.
I showed Dad.
His jaw tightened.
“She said what?””
“She’s telling people I’m the problem.””
Dad took a deep breath.
“I knew she wouldn’t accept responsibility.””
That afternoon, Jessica’s story spread further.
According to her version, she had sacrificed everything for Cameron.
According to her, I was selfish.
According to her, I had “destroyed the family” because I cared more about money than my brother.
The irony was almost unbelievable.
She had taken my scholarship.
And somehow, I had become the villain.
Two days later, Dad received a call from Jessica’s sister.
I heard only parts of it.
“No, that’s not what happened.””
A pause.
“No, she didn’t ask permission.””
Another pause.
“She spent the entire amount.””
When the call ended, Dad looked exhausted.
“She’s trying to rewrite reality.””
I sat quietly.
“I just wanted to go to college.””
Dad looked at me.
“You still are.””
“But everyone thinks I’m horrible.””
He sat beside me.
“Truth doesn’t become a lie because someone tells a louder story.””
Those words helped.
But the situation became worse when Jessica showed up at my college orientation.
I was shocked when I saw her.
“Jessica?””
She smiled.
A fake smile.
“Hi, sweetheart.””
I immediately knew something was wrong.
“What are you doing here?””
She looked around.
“I wanted to support you.””
I didn’t believe her.
Then she lowered her voice.
“You need to stop making this situation worse.””
I stared.
“What?””
She stepped closer.
“Your father is angry because you made him choose sides.””
I felt my hands shake.
“You stole my scholarship.””
Her smile disappeared.
“Watch yourself.””
“No.””
My voice became stronger.
“You watch yourself.””
Students were walking nearby.
Jessica looked around.
“You’re embarrassing this family.””
I almost laughed.
“You came here to talk about embarrassment?””
She leaned closer.
“You think your father will always protect you?””
I said nothing.
Because a small part of me was afraid.
Jessica noticed.
Then she whispered:
“You’ll see. People get tired of fighting.””
She walked away.
But Dad arrived ten minutes later.
He had seen her.
“Are you okay?””
I nodded.
“She tried to scare me.””
Dad looked toward the parking lot.
“I’m done.””
That night, he made a decision.
And it was one that changed everything.
He contacted the university.
He contacted the scholarship office.
He gathered every receipt.
Every message.
Every piece of evidence showing what Jessica had done.
Then he told me:
“She thought she could hide behind excuses.””
He placed the documents on the table.
“She was wrong.””
But the biggest surprise came the next morning.
Dad received an email.
He read it once.
Then again.
His face changed.
“Dad?””
He looked at me.
“Jasmine…”
“What?””
He turned the laptop toward me.
It was from the basketball organization.
And attached was a payment record.
A payment Jessica had made.
But the name on the account wasn’t hers.
It was mine.
I stared at the screen.
Because there was something I didn’t understand.
Jessica hadn’t just spent my scholarship money.
May you like
She had transferred it through another account.
And now we knew exactly where it went.
