Chapter 4: Someone Had Forged Her Name
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Andre held the receipt between his fingers, staring at the signature beneath the payment description.
Alicia recognized the handwriting immediately.
It looked like hers.
But it wasn't hers.
The capital A was slightly too narrow. The final stroke of the surname curved in the wrong direction. Whoever had written it had studied her signature carefully enough to imitate it, but not carefully enough to get it right.
“Who signed this?”” Andre asked.
Cynthia reached for the receipt.
“Give that to me.””
Andre moved his hand away.
“I'm asking you a question.””
“And I'm telling you this is a private family matter.””
Eleanor looked uncomfortable.
“Cynthia, I don't understand. You told me Alicia had received the contributions.””
Cynthia forced a laugh.
“There has been a misunderstanding. You know how busy these celebrations can get.””
Alicia stepped closer.
“Mrs. Eleanor, did you actually give Cynthia three hundred dollars?””
“Yes, sweetheart. She told me it was your fee for preparing the cakes.””
Alicia felt her stomach tighten.
“My fee?””
Eleanor nodded.
“She said you were accepting payment because the cakes required special ingredients.””
Andre looked at his mother.
“You told people Alicia was working for money?””
Cynthia lifted her chin.
“I was trying to organize everything.””
“Then where is the money?””
“Don't question me like I'm a criminal!””
Her voice was loud enough to attract attention from two nearby tables.
Alicia glanced toward the guests.
She hated this.
Not because she was afraid of people knowing what had happened, but because Cynthia was already turning the situation into another performance.
The older woman lowered her voice.
“Listen carefully, Alicia. We can settle this privately. There is no reason to ruin an important family occasion.””
Alicia looked at the receipt.
“You used my name to collect money.””
“I collected money for the cakes.””
“Under my name.””
“Because you were the one making them!””
“That doesn't give you permission to sign for me.””
Cynthia's expression hardened.
“Watch your tone.””
Andre stepped between them.
“Mom, stop telling her what to do. Just explain the money.””
Cynthia turned toward her son.
“I raised you. I sacrificed everything for you. And now you're standing here defending someone who has been in your life for a few years?””
Andre's jaw tightened.
“Being my mother doesn't make this okay.””
Brielle suddenly stepped forward.
“Can we please stop acting like Mom committed some terrible crime?””
Alicia looked at her.
“Did you know about the money?””
Brielle hesitated.
“Of course I knew people were contributing.””
“Did you know my name was on the receipt?””
Brielle looked at Cynthia.
That small movement was enough.
Alicia understood.
“You knew.””
Brielle folded her arms.
“I didn't write it.””
“But you knew.””
“Mom was handling everything!””
Eleanor quietly placed her clutch on the table.
“I would appreciate getting my money back if the arrangements aren't what we were told.””
Cynthia's eyes widened.
“Eleanor, surely you don't think I would take your money.””
“I didn't say that. I simply want to understand.””
“Of course you will be refunded.””
Andre immediately asked, “From what account?””
Cynthia glared at him.
“Don't embarrass me.””
“Then stop avoiding the question.””
Alicia looked at Eleanor.
“I am sorry you were given incorrect information. I never received any payment, and I haven't agreed to provide the cakes.””
Eleanor nodded slowly.
“Thank you for telling me.””
She picked up her handbag.
“I'll wait for Cynthia to clarify the payment. But I won't be expecting the cakes unless everything is properly arranged.””
Cynthia's face flushed.
“Eleanor, please. Don't make a scene.””
“I haven't made one.””
With that, Eleanor walked away.
Cynthia watched her leave before turning back to Alicia.
“You see what you've done?””
Alicia stared at her.
“What I've done?””
“You've made me look dishonest in front of my friends.””
Andre let out a humorless breath.
“Mom, you signed her name.””
Cynthia ignored him.
She moved closer to Alicia and spoke through a tight smile.
“Listen. You are going to make those cakes tomorrow. We will sort out the money afterward.””
Alicia shook her head.
“No.””
The single word seemed to surprise everyone.
Cynthia blinked.
“What did you say?””
“I said no. I haven't agreed to make them.””
“You cannot abandon the family at the last minute.””
“I never accepted the job.””
Cynthia's eyes narrowed.
“Then perhaps you should think carefully about whether you're ready to marry my son.””
Andre stepped forward.
“That's enough, Mom.””
But Cynthia wasn't finished.
She leaned toward Alicia.
“You think being engaged gives you the right to challenge me? You haven't even married into this family.””
Alicia looked at the woman for a long moment.
Then she glanced at Andre.
He was standing beside her, but she could see the struggle on his face.
He wanted to protect her.
He also wanted the evening to end without another confrontation.
That distinction mattered.
Before Alicia could respond, Brielle's phone vibrated.
She checked the screen.
Then her expression changed.
“Mom.””
Cynthia turned.
“What?””
Brielle showed her the message.
A family member had posted in the group chat.
Just checking: Is Alicia still bringing the twelve cakes tomorrow? We already paid.
Another message followed.
My children are excited. Please confirm.
Then another.
Can someone send the delivery time?
Cynthia grabbed Brielle's phone.
For the first time that evening, she looked genuinely frightened.
Because the guests weren't merely expecting free cakes.
May you like
They believed they had already paid Alicia for them.
And now, dozens of people were waiting for an answer.
