Chapter 5 - If Maya tells her
The video shook violently at first.
We could see only carpet.
Then furniture.
The angle slowly settled.
Our living room appeared.
I recognized the date almost immediately because Maya’s birthday decorations were still hanging near the windows.
Julian walked into frame.
Evelyn followed.
My mother-in-law looked nothing like the concerned grandmother sitting inside the courtroom.
She looked furious.
“You should have moved the records sooner,” she said.
Julian answered:
“Elena hasn’t looked at the business accounts in years.”
“And if she does?”
“She won’t understand what she’s seeing.”
My hands went cold.
Then Chloe entered.
The bracelet on her wrist glittered.
My bracelet.
She placed several folders on the coffee table.
Julian opened one.
Even from the poor camera angle, I recognized the formatting.
Transfer authorizations.
He flipped through several pages.
Then said:
“Once Elena signs these, the money becomes untouchable.”
Chloe laughed.
“What if she refuses?”
Julian answered without hesitation.
“She already signed them.”
My stomach dropped.
Evelyn stared at him.
“You forged her signature?”
Julian shrugged.
Then Maya’s small voice came from somewhere behind the hidden tablet.
“Daddy?”
All three adults froze.
Julian walked toward the camera.
Not knowing it was recording, he crouched somewhere beside Maya.
His voice became sweet.
“Princess, remember our game?”
“What game?”
“If Mommy finds Daddy’s papers, you tell me.”
“Why?”
A pause.
Then Julian said:
“Because Mommy is sick sometimes.”
I heard myself gasp inside the courtroom.
The recorded Julian continued.
“And if Maya tells her mother anything about Daddy’s business...”
He glanced toward Evelyn.
May you like
“We lose everything.”
The courtroom fell completely silent.
