Chapter 11: The Deal Behind My Back
I stared at Trevor.
“No.””
The word came out before I could stop it.
Not because I didn’t believe him.
Because I did.
And that scared me.
Trevor rubbed his hands together nervously.
“I didn’t know who he was at first.””
“How did you meet him?””
He looked embarrassed.
“Six months ago.””
“Before graduation?””
“Yes.””
I felt a familiar anger rising.
The same time my family was celebrating Trevor’s promotion.
The same time I was walking across a stage alone.
“What happened?””
Trevor sat down.
“I was in trouble.””
I almost interrupted.
But I let him continue.
“My business wasn’t doing well. I had loans. Employees I couldn’t pay. I thought I could fix it.””
I looked at him.
“Like always.””
His face tightened.
But he nodded.
“Yeah.””
That honesty surprised me.
“I met Michael at a financial meeting.””
Robert frowned.
“You didn’t know he was your uncle?””
“No.””
Trevor looked down.
“He introduced himself as someone who could help.””
“Help you with what?””
“Money.””
Of course.
Everything in my family came back to money.
“He said he knew my parents.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Of course he did.””
Trevor continued.
“He told me there was a property that could solve all my problems.””
My eyes narrowed.
“This house.””
He nodded.
“He said my parents owned it.””
“And you believed him?””
Trevor looked ashamed.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
He was quiet for a moment.
Then he said:
“Because I wanted to believe there was one more thing my family could give me.””
That sentence hurt.
Because I understood it.
Not the same way.
But I understood wanting your family to be there.
The difference was Trevor always received help.
I always waited for it.
“What happened after?””
“He gave me documents.””
“Fake documents?””
“Yes.””
Robert stepped forward.
“Did he tell you to forge Paige’s signature?””
Trevor looked at the floor.
“Yes.””
I stared at him.
“You did it.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
He closed his eyes.
“Because I was desperate.””
I shook my head.
“That’s not an excuse.””
“I know.””
He looked at me.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me.””
For once, he sounded like the brother I had wanted growing up.
Not the golden child.
Just a person.
“I’m asking you to understand that I didn’t know.””
I looked away.
“Understanding doesn’t erase what happened.””
“I know.””
The room went quiet.
Then Robert asked:
“Where is Michael now?””
Trevor hesitated.
That hesitation bothered me.
“Trevor.””
“He called me.””
“When?””
“This morning.””
My heart dropped.
“What did he say?””
Trevor pulled out his phone.
“He wanted to know if I succeeded.””
Robert stepped closer.
“Play it.””
Trevor pressed the recording.
Michael’s voice filled the kitchen.
“Trevor, tell me the transfer went through.””
Trevor’s younger voice responded.
“I’m working on it.””
“You said you had access.””
“I thought I did.””
A pause.
Then Michael said:
“Your family has taken enough from you.””
Trevor looked uncomfortable.
“Michael…”
“You deserve what should have been yours.””
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
I looked at Robert.
“What does that mean?””
Robert’s face was pale.
“It means Michael has been manipulating Trevor.””
“But why?””
Robert didn’t answer.
Then my phone buzzed.
A text message.
Unknown number.
I opened it.
My blood ran cold.
It was a photograph.
A picture of my house.
Taken from across the street.
The message underneath said:
“You’re looking for answers in the wrong place, Paige.””
Another message appeared.
“Ask your father what happened the night your grandmother died.””
I froze.
My grandmother died when I was eight.
A normal death.
That was what I was always told.
I looked at Robert.
“Why would he say that?””
Robert stared at the phone.
May you like
Then he whispered:
“Because Michael was there.””
