Chapter 9: The Fifteen-Thousand-Dollar Lie
Owen didn't touch the bank statement again.
He stared at it as though the paper itself had become dangerous.
"Where did you get this?""
Marissa folded her arms.
"From the household account.""
"That's impossible.""
"Is it?""
"Rachel the bank statement again.
He stared at it as though the paper itself had become dangerous.
"Where did you get this?""
Marissa folded her arms.
"From the household account.""
"That's impossible.""
"Is it?""
"Rachel doesn't have access to that account.""
Marissa gave him a bitter smile.
"Then perhaps you should ask her how she received fifteen thousand dollars.""
Owen picked up the document.
The transfer date was three months earlier.
The description read:
*Family Estate Expenses.*
He looked at the account details.
It was one of their joint accounts.
"Did you make this transfer?""
Marissa shook her head.
"Why would I send money to your sister?""
"That's what I'm asking.""
Marissa looked toward the staircase.
"Rachel has been manipulating you for months. She knew about the inheritance. She knew your mother wanted Sadie to receive it. And now she's pretending to be the person who saved everything.""
Owen studied her face.
"Did you see Rachel doesn't have access to that account.""
Marissa gave him a bitter smile.
"Then perhaps you should ask her how she received fifteen thousand dollars.""
Owen picked up the document.
The transfer date was three months earlier.
The description read:
*Family Estate Expenses.*
He looked at the account details.
It was one of their joint accounts.
"Did you make this transfer?""
Marissa shook her head.
"Why would I send money to your sister?""
"That's what I'm asking.""
Marissa looked toward the staircase.
"Rachel has been manipulating you for months. She knew about the inheritance. She knew your mother wanted Sadie to receive it. And now she's pretending to be the person who saved everything.""
Owen studied her face.
"Did you see Rachel receive the money?""
"I saw the transfer.""
"That's not what I asked.""
Marissa's jaw tightened.
"You're determined to believe her.""
"No. I'm determined to find out the truth receive the money?""
"I saw the transfer.""
"That's not what I asked.""
Marissa's jaw tightened.
"You're determined to believe her.""
"No. I'm determined to find out the truth.""
He took out his phone and called Rachel.
She answered immediately.
"Everything okay?""
"I need you to come over.""
"Why?""
"Marissa says you received fifteen thousand dollars from our joint account.""
There was silence.
Then Rachel said, very.""
He took out his phone and called Rachel.
She answered immediately.
"Everything okay?""
"I need you to come over.""
"Why?""
"Marissa says you received fifteen thousand dollars from our joint account.""
There was silence.
Then Rachel said, very quietly:
"What?""
"Do you know anything about it?""
"No.""
Owen looked at Marissa.
" quietly:
"What?""
"Do you know anything about it?""
"No.""
Owen looked at Marissa.
"Can you come now?""
"Yes.""
He ended the call.
Marissa sat down.
"Now you'll see.""
Owen didn'tCan you come now?""
"Yes.""
He ended the call.
Marissa sat down.
"Now you'll see.""
Owen didn't respond.
Twenty minutes later, Rachel arrived.
She entered the living room carrying her handbag and a folder.
Marissa stood immediately.
"Well, here she is.""
Rachel looked between them.
"What's going on?""
Owen handed her the statement.
Rachel examined it.
Her expression changed.
"Where did you get this?""
"Marissa says you received the money respond.
Twenty minutes later, Rachel arrived.
She entered the living room carrying her handbag and a folder.
Marissa stood immediately.
"Well, here she is.""
Rachel looked between them.
"What's going on?""
Owen handed her the statement.
Rachel examined it.
Her expression changed.
"Where did you get this?""
"Marissa says you received the money.""
Rachel shook her head.
"I didn't.""
Marissa laughed.
"Of course you'd say that.""
Rachel turned the paper over.
"What's the account number?""
Owen read it.
Rachel pulled out her phone.
"Give me a minute.""
She opened her banking application and searched through her statements.
Then she showed Owen her screen.
There was no matching deposit.
"See?""
Marissa stepped forward.
"You could have transferred it somewhere else.""
Rachel looked at her.
"You're accusing me of stealing fifteen thousand dollars?""
"I'm asking questions.""
"No. You're making accusations.""
Owen took the paper back.
"Where did this document come from?""
Marissa pointed toward the kitchen.
"I printed it from the account.""
"Which account?""
"Our joint account.""
Owen frowned.
He had access to that account.
But he had never seen this transaction.
He opened his banking application.
He searched the transfer history.
Nothing.
He searched.""
Rachel shook her head.
"I didn't.""
Marissa laughed.
"Of course you'd say that.""
Rachel turned the paper over.
"What's the account number?""
Owen read it.
Rachel pulled out her phone.
"Give me a minute.""
She opened her banking application and searched through her statements.
Then she showed Owen her screen.
There was no matching deposit.
"See?""
Marissa stepped forward.
"You could have transferred it somewhere else.""
Rachel looked at her.
"You're accusing me of stealing fifteen thousand dollars?""
"I'm asking questions.""
"No. You're making accusations.""
Owen took the paper back.
"Where did this document come from?""
Marissa pointed toward the kitchen.
"I printed it from the account.""
"Which account?""
"Our joint account.""
Owen frowned.
He had access to that account.
But he had never seen this transaction.
He opened his banking application.
He searched the transfer history.
Nothing.
He searched the statement for the month in question.
Still nothing.
"Marissa.""
"What?""
"This transaction isn't in our account.""
Her face changed.
"That's because—"
"Because what the statement for the month in question.
Still nothing.
"Marissa.""
"What?""
"This transaction isn't in our account.""
Her face changed.
"That's because—"
"Because what?""
She looked at the document.
Then at him.
For the first time, she seemed to realize that she had made a mistake.
Rachel stepped closer.
"Let me see the recipient details.""
Marissa sn?""
She looked at the document.
Then at him.
For the first time, she seemed to realize that she had made a mistake.
Rachel stepped closer.
"Let me see the recipient details.""
Marissa snatched the paper.
"You don't need to.""
Rachel stared at her.
"Why not?""
"Because this is between me and Owen.""
Owen held out his hand.
"Give it to meatched the paper.
"You don't need to.""
Rachel stared at her.
"Why not?""
"Because this is between me and Owen.""
Owen held out his hand.
"Give it to me.""
Marissa hesitated.
Then she handed it over.
Owen examined the bank logo.
Something looked wrong.
The font was slightly different from the statements he received.""
Marissa hesitated.
Then she handed it over.
Owen examined the bank logo.
Something looked wrong.
The font was slightly different from the statements he received online.
The account number also contained an extra digit.
He looked at Rachel.
"Can you call the bank?""
Rachel nodded.
Within minutes, they were speaking to a customer service representative.
After verifying the account details, Owen online.
The account number also contained an extra digit.
He looked at Rachel.
"Can you call the bank?""
Rachel nodded.
Within minutes, they were speaking to a customer service representative.
After verifying the account details, Owen asked whether any transfer of fifteen thousand dollars had been made to Rachel.
The representative checked.
Then answered clearly.
"No, sir. There has been no such transaction.""
Owen ended the call.
He turned toward Marissa.
"Where did you get this?""
She looked at the floor.
asked whether any transfer of fifteen thousand dollars had been made to Rachel.
The representative checked.
Then answered clearly.
"No, sir. There has been no such transaction.""
Owen ended the call.
He turned toward Marissa.
"Where did you get this?""
She looked at the floor.
"I told you.""
"No. You didn't.""
Rachel picked up the paper.
"This isn't even an official statement.""
Marissa's voice became defensive.
"I printed it from a financial website.""
"Which website?""
"I"I told you.""
"No. You didn't.""
Rachel picked up the paper.
"This isn't even an official statement.""
Marissa's voice became defensive.
"I printed it from a financial website.""
"Which website?""
"I don't remember.""
Rachel looked at Owen.
"Someone created this.""
Owen's expression hardened.
"Marissa, did you make this?""
She didn't answer.
"Did you create a fake bank transfer to make it look like Rachel took don't remember.""
Rachel looked at Owen.
"Someone created this.""
Owen's expression hardened.
"Marissa, did you make this?""
She didn't answer.
"Did you create a fake bank transfer to make it look like Rachel took money?""
Marissa suddenly began crying.
"I was trying to show you that your sister isn't trustworthy.""
"By fabricating evidence?""
"I didn't think you'd believe me otherwise!""
Rachel stepped backward.
"Un money?""
Marissa suddenly began crying.
"I was trying to show you that your sister isn't trustworthy.""
"By fabricating evidence?""
"I didn't think you'd believe me otherwise!""
Rachel stepped backward.
"Unbelievable.""
Marissa wiped her face.
"You don't understand what it's like living in this house.""
Owen looked at her.
"Then explain it.""
Marissa'sbelievable.""
Marissa wiped her face.
"You don't understand what it's like living in this house.""
Owen looked at her.
"Then explain it.""
Marissa's voice cracked.
"I am always second.""
Nobody spoke.
"Your mother loved Sadie more than anyone. Rachel protects Sadie. You protect Sadie. Even Tyler is turning against me because of her.""
Tyler had just entered the room.
voice cracked.
"I am always second.""
Nobody spoke.
"Your mother loved Sadie more than anyone. Rachel protects Sadie. You protect Sadie. Even Tyler is turning against me because of her.""
Tyler had just entered the room.
He stopped in the doorway.
"Mom, I'm not turning against you.""
Marissa looked at him.
"Then why are you standing there?""
"Because I heard you say you made a fake bank statement.""
Marissa closed her eyes.
Tyler walked into the roomHe stopped in the doorway.
"Mom, I'm not turning against you.""
Marissa looked at him.
"Then why are you standing there?""
"Because I heard you say you made a fake bank statement.""
Marissa closed her eyes.
Tyler walked into the room.
"I don't understand why you keep doing this.""
She shook her head.
"You wouldn't understand.""
"Then help me understand.""
Marissa looked at her son.
For a moment, her expression softened.
"I wanted us to have something that belonged to us.""
.
"I don't understand why you keep doing this.""
She shook her head.
"You wouldn't understand.""
"Then help me understand.""
Marissa looked at her son.
For a moment, her expression softened.
"I wanted us to have something that belonged to us.""
Tyler nodded.
"But we already do.""
"What?""
"Our family.""
Marissa stared at him.
Tyler continued.
"Sadie never asked for Grandma's money. She just wanted to beTyler nodded.
"But we already do.""
"What?""
"Our family.""
Marissa stared at him.
Tyler continued.
"Sadie never asked for Grandma's money. She just wanted to be in a picture with Dad.""
Owen looked down.
Tyler's voice trembled.
"She wanted to give you a drawing, Mom. She thought you'd put it on the refrigerator.""
Marissa turned away.
"Stop.""
" in a picture with Dad.""
Owen looked down.
Tyler's voice trembled.
"She wanted to give you a drawing, Mom. She thought you'd put it on the refrigerator.""
Marissa turned away.
"Stop.""
"She still thinks she did something wrong.""
"Tyler, stop!""
But he kept going.
"She asked me yesterday whether Grandma would have wanted her in the family picture.""
Marissa covered her mouth.
Tyler looked at herShe still thinks she did something wrong.""
"Tyler, stop!""
But he kept going.
"She asked me yesterday whether Grandma would have wanted her in the family picture.""
Marissa covered her mouth.
Tyler looked at her.
"What am I supposed to tell her?""
Marissa sank onto the sofa.
Nobody moved.
Then Owen's phone rang.
It was Daniel, the photographer.
"Mr. Owen, I hope I'm not interrupting.""
"What's happened?""
"I reviewed.
"What am I supposed to tell her?""
Marissa sank onto the sofa.
Nobody moved.
Then Owen's phone rang.
It was Daniel, the photographer.
"Mr. Owen, I hope I'm not interrupting.""
"What's happened?""
"I reviewed the original files again after our last conversation. I found something I think you should see.""
Owen glanced at Marissa.
"What?""
"Your wife left a personal item at the studio during the first appointment. It was inside one the original files again after our last conversation. I found something I think you should see.""
Owen glanced at Marissa.
"What?""
"Your wife left a personal item at the studio during the first appointment. It was inside one of the coat pockets.""
Owen frowned.
"What item?""
"A small envelope. I didn't open it because it appeared to contain private correspondence.""
"Why are you calling me now?""
"Because your wife contacted us this of the coat pockets.""
Owen frowned.
"What item?""
"A small envelope. I didn't open it because it appeared to contain private correspondence.""
"Why are you calling me now?""
"Because your wife contacted us this morning asking whether we had found it.""
Owen's stomach tightened.
"Did you give it to her?""
"No. I thought it might morning asking whether we had found it.""
Owen's stomach tightened.
"Did you give it to her?""
"No. I thought it might belong to you.""
Owen looked at Marissa.
Her head had lifted.
She was watching him.
"What was inside?"" belong to you.""
Owen looked at Marissa.
Her head had lifted.
She was watching him.
"What was inside?"" he asked.
Daniel hesitated.
"I only saw the name written on the front.""
"What name?""
"Sadie.""
Owen went still.
Daniel continued.
"There was also a date written beneath it. Her tenth he asked.
Daniel hesitated.
"I only saw the name written on the front.""
"What name?""
"Sadie.""
Owen went still.
Daniel continued.
"There was also a date written beneath it. Her tenth birthday.""
Owen looked at Rachel.
Then at Tyler.
"Can you keep it safe? I'll come collect it.""
"Of course.""
He ended the call.
Marissa stood abruptly birthday.""
Owen looked at Rachel.
Then at Tyler.
"Can you keep it safe? I'll come collect it.""
"Of course.""
He ended the call.
Marissa stood abruptly.
"You're not going back to that studio.""
Owen turned.
"Why?""
"Because it's private.""
"What's in that envelope?""
"Nothing.""
"Then why are you.
"You're not going back to that studio.""
Owen turned.
"Why?""
"Because it's private.""
"What's in that envelope?""
"Nothing.""
"Then why are you worried?""
Marissa stepped toward him.
"Give it to me when you get it.""
Owen stared at her.
"Why?""
She swallowed.
Then she said something that changed the atmosphere in the room.
"Because your mother didn't write that letter to Sadie.""
Rachel frowned.
"What worried?""
Marissa stepped toward him.
"Give it to me when you get it.""
Owen stared at her.
"Why?""
She swallowed.
Then she said something that changed the atmosphere in the room.
"Because your mother didn't write that letter to Sadie.""
Rachel frowned.
"What are you talking about?""
Marissa's eyes moved between them.
"She didn't write it.""
Owen's voice became dangerously quiet.
"Then who did?""
Marissa looked toward the front door.
And for several seconds, she didn't answer.
Finally, she whispered are you talking about?""
Marissa's eyes moved between them.
"She didn't write it.""
Owen's voice became dangerously quiet.
"Then who did?""
Marissa looked toward the front door.
And for several seconds, she didn't answer.
Finally, she whispered:
"Someone who wanted you to believe your mother had left Sadie everything.""
Tyler stared at her.
"Mom, what are you saying?""
Marissa looked at Owen.
"Ask Rachel what happened the night your:
"Someone who wanted you to believe your mother had left Sadie everything.""
Tyler stared at her.
"Mom, what are you saying?""
Marissa looked at Owen.
"Ask Rachel what happened the night your mother died.""
Rachel's face went pale.
"Don't.""
Owen turned toward his sister.
"Rachel?""
She closed her eyes.
"Marissa, you have no idea what you're talking about.""
"Don't I?""
Marissa took a shaky breath.
"Because mother died.""
Rachel's face went pale.
"Don't.""
Owen turned toward his sister.
"Rachel?""
She closed her eyes.
"Marissa, you have no idea what you're talking about.""
"Don't I?""
Marissa took a shaky breath.
"Because I was there, Rachel. I saw you leave Eleanor's room with that envelope.""
Owen looked from one woman to the other.
His mother's death had happened three years earlier.
I was there, Rachel. I saw you leave Eleanor's room with that envelope.""
Owen looked from one woman to the other.
His mother's death had happened three years earlier.
Rachel had always told him she was with Eleanor during her final hours.
But now Marissa was making a claim that could change everything.
"Rachel," Owen said.
"Tell me what happened.""
Rachel looked at him.
Then she reached into herRachel had always told him she was with Eleanor during her final hours.
But now Marissa was making a claim that could change everything.
"Rachel," Owen said.
"Tell me what happened.""
Rachel looked at him.
Then she reached into her handbag and removed an old photograph.
It showed Eleanor in her hospital bed.
Rachel was standing beside her.
And in Eleanor's hand was a handbag and removed an old photograph.
It showed Eleanor in her hospital bed.
Rachel was standing beside her.
And in Eleanor's hand was a small envelope.
Rachel placed the photograph on the table.
"Your mother gave me that envelope herself," she said.
"She asked me to protect Sadie.""
Owen stared at her.
"Protect her small envelope.
Rachel placed the photograph on the table.
"Your mother gave me that envelope herself," she said.
"She asked me to protect Sadie.""
Owen stared at her.
"Protect her from what?""
Rachel looked directly at Marissa.
"From someone who had already started trying to take what belonged to her.""
Marissa's face drained from what?""
Rachel looked directly at Marissa.
"From someone who had already started trying to take what belonged to her.""
Marissa's face drained of color.
Rachel continued.
"And I have proof.""
She opened her handbag again.
This time, she removed a small digital voice of color.
Rachel continued.
"And I have proof.""
She opened her handbag again.
This time, she removed a small digital voice recorder.
Owen looked at it.
"What's that?""
Rachel pressed the play button.
A faint voice filled the room.
It was Eleanor's.
Weak.
T recorder.
Owen looked at it.
"What's that?""
Rachel pressed the play button.
A faint voice filled the room.
It was Eleanor's.
Weak.
Tired.
But unmistakable.
"Rachel, if Marissa ever asks you for the original documents, don't give them to her. And whateverired.
But unmistakable.
"Rachel, if Marissa ever asks you for the original documents, don't give them to her. And whatever happens, make sure Owen knows that...""
The recording crackled.
Then Eleanor said six words that made Owen's blood run cold.
"She was already planning to take Sadie.""
happens, make sure Owen knows that...""
The recording crackled.
May you like
Then Eleanor said six words that made Owen's blood run cold.
"She was already planning to take Sadie.""
