My Stepmother Gave My Graduation Car to Her Son, But She Had No Idea Dad Was About to Discover the Missing College Funds

“Whose name is on it?”” Dad repeated into the phone.

I watched his face carefully.

He had gone from angry to confused, and now there was something else in his expression.

Fear.

Not fear for himself.

Fear for me.

His attorney, Daniel Reeves, spoke through the phone.

“Michael, the bank located another account connected to the original college fund. It was opened approximately eleven months ago. The account contains a little over thirty-seven thousand dollars.””

Dad closed his eyes.

“Who owns it?””

“That's the problem. The account was opened using Emily's Social Security number and date of birth. However, the controlling email address and telephone number belong to Patricia.””

My stepmother grabbed the back of a chair.

“That's impossible.””

Dad looked at her.

“You knew about this account?””

“No!””

Daniel continued speaking.

“There's another issue. The account was used to purchase several financial products and make payments to a business registered under Patricia's name. We need to investigate the full transaction history.””

Dad rubbed his forehead.

“Send me everything. We're coming to your office tomorrow.””

He ended the call.

I couldn't move.

Someone had opened a financial account in my name.

Someone had used my personal information.

And the person sitting across from me was the woman who had helped raise me since I was ten.

“Dad,” I whispered, “can she really do that?””

“No, sweetheart. She cannot.””

Patricia immediately shook her head.

“Michael, listen to me. I can explain everything.””

Dad placed his phone on the table.

“You've had all evening to explain.””

“I was trying to protect Emily!””

I stared at her.

“By stealing my identity?””

Patricia pointed at me.

“Don't you dare accuse me of something you don't understand!””

Dad stood.

“Then help us understand.””

She began pacing.

“The money was sitting there. It wasn't being used. I thought it would be better invested instead of allowing it to sit in a bank account.””

“Why didn't you discuss that with me?”” Dad asked.

“Because you always say no to anything that involves Brandon!””

Brandon looked up.

“Mom, leave me out of this.””

She turned toward him.

“Don't start pretending you're innocent now.””

Dad opened his laptop again.

“Daniel mentioned a business registered under your name. What business?””

Patricia didn't answer.

Dad searched the company name.

Carter Family Holdings LLC.

A registration document appeared.

He clicked it.

The business had been established eleven months earlier.

Its listed purpose was property investment and asset management.

Its mailing address was a rented office suite downtown.

Dad scrolled through the ownership information.

Then he stopped.

“Patricia, why is Brandon listed as a managing member?””

Brandon's face changed.

“It's just paperwork.””

Dad looked at him.

“Did you sign anything?””

Brandon hesitated.

“Mom asked me to help with some forms.””

“What forms?””

“Business registration documents.””

“Did you know Emily's identity was being used?””

Brandon looked at his mother.

Patricia snapped, “He doesn't know anything about the financial side!””

Dad closed the laptop.

“That's not an answer.””

I looked at Brandon.

“Did you know?””

He finally nodded.

“A little.””

My chest tightened.

“How much is a little?””

Brandon sighed.

“Mom told me she was setting up an investment account for the family. She said your college fund was being moved temporarily.””

“Temporarily?”” I repeated.

“Yeah.””

“For eleven months?””

He rubbed his neck.

“I thought it was going to be paid back.””

I couldn't believe how casually he said it.

I had spent the previous summer working double shifts to afford textbooks.

Meanwhile, he had apparently been using my future as a business opportunity.

Dad took out his phone again.

“Daniel needs to know Brandon was involved in the company registration.””

Patricia rushed toward him.

“Don't you dare ruin his life!””

Dad stepped back.

“You should have thought about that before involving him in this.””

She suddenly slapped the table.

“You've always favored Emily!””

Dad stared at her.

“She's my daughter.””

“And Brandon is my son!””

“And that makes it acceptable to steal from mine?””

Patricia went quiet.

Then she said something I would never forget.

“Brandon deserved a chance. Emily was always going to be successful. She has grades, scholarships, and opportunities. My son had nothing.””

I felt tears gather in my eyes.

“So you decided I didn't need my own money because you thought I would succeed anyway?””

She looked at me.

“You don't understand what it's like to watch your child struggle.””

I laughed bitterly.

“Do you know what it's like to work until your feet hurt, come home, study until two in the morning, and still be told you're spoiled?””

She looked away.

Dad walked toward me and put a hand on my shoulder.

“That's enough, sweetheart.””

Then he turned to Patricia.

“Pack a bag.””

She blinked.

“What?””

“You're staying somewhere else tonight.””

“You can't throw me out of my own home!””

“This house is in my name. My attorney will advise me on the proper steps. But after what I've discovered, I will not have you controlling the household or accessing our financial records.””

Patricia's face twisted.

“You're choosing her?””

Dad's answer was immediate.

“I'm choosing what's right.””

Brandon grabbed his jacket.

“I'm leaving, too.””

Dad nodded.

“That's probably best.””

But as Brandon walked toward the door, his phone slipped from his pocket and landed on the hardwood floor.

The screen lit up.

A message appeared.

I wasn't trying to read it.