Chapter 2: What Maya Had Seen
Nobody answered my father's call.
The ringing stopped.
Then started again.
Claire stared at the phone as if it were a bomb.
Maya remained frozen on the stairs.
I looked from one woman to the other.
“Answer it.””
Claire didn't move.
“Claire.””
She finally grabbed the phone.
“Marcus?””
My father's voice came through loud enough for me to hear.
“What happened?””
Claire glanced at me.
“Nothing.””
My jaw tightened.
“Nothing?””
My father paused.
“Why is Jordan's phone broken?””
Claire's eyes widened.
I hadn't even realized he'd seen the damage.
“I dropped it,” she said.
My father went quiet.
Then he asked, “Where is Jordan?””
Claire looked at me.
“He's here.””
“Put him on.””
She didn't.
“Marcus, you need to come home.””
“I asked you to put my son on the phone.””
Claire's mouth tightened.
“There was an incident.””
“What incident?””
She glanced at Maya.
“Maya says Jordan tried to hurt her.””
Silence.
Not the stunned silence I'd expected.
Something colder.
My father's voice came back.
“Put Jordan on the phone.””
Claire hesitated.
I held out my hand.
She finally gave it to me.
“Dad.””
“What happened?””
“I didn't do anything.””
“I know.””
Those two words nearly broke me.
I closed my eyes.
“Dad, I swear—”
“I know, Jordan.””
Behind me, Maya began crying again.
My father heard her.
“Is Maya there?””
“Yes.””
“Put her on.””
Maya came down the stairs.
She took the phone with both hands.
“Dad?””
“What happened?””
Maya looked at Claire.
Claire shook her head.
Maya swallowed.
“I lied.””
My father exhaled slowly.
“About what?””
Maya's voice cracked.
“About Jordan.””
Claire stepped forward.
“Maya, don't—”
“Mom, stop!””
It was the first time I'd ever heard Maya raise her voice at her mother.
Claire recoiled.
Maya pressed the phone against her ear.
“I told Mom Jordan tried to attack me.””
My father said nothing.
“I made it up.””
I felt something inside my chest loosen.
Not relief.
Not yet.
There was still something I didn't understand.
“Why?”” I asked.
Maya looked at me.
“Because I thought I could fix it.””
“Fix what?””
She stared at the floor.
Claire suddenly moved toward her.
“Give me the phone.””
Maya backed away.
“No.””
“Maya.””
“No!””
My father spoke through the phone.
“Claire, don't touch her.””
Claire stopped.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Maya said, “Dad, I need you to come home.””
“I am.””
She closed her eyes.
“There was something I saw.””
My father asked, “What?””
Maya looked directly at me.
“Three nights ago.””
My stomach tightened.
“What happened three nights ago?””
Maya took a shaky breath.
“I woke up because I heard Mom and someone arguing downstairs.””
Claire's face went blank.
I looked at her.
“Who?””
Maya didn't answer immediately.
Then she said, “Uncle Ryan.””
My father's younger brother.
I hadn't seen Ryan in months.
He lived across town and occasionally came by for dinner.
“What about him?”” I asked.
Maya continued.
“They were arguing about money.””
Claire's voice cut in.
“That isn't relevant.””
Maya ignored her.
“Ryan wanted Mom to give him more.””
My father asked, “More of what?””
Maya's eyes filled with tears.
“Dad, I think Uncle Ryan has been stealing from you.””
My father's breathing changed.
“What?””
Claire suddenly lunged for the phone.
Maya pulled it away.
“Mom!””
“Give me that!””
“No!””
Claire grabbed Maya's wrist.
I stepped forward.
“Let her go.””
Claire released her.
Maya stumbled backward.
I caught her elbow.
She immediately pulled away, and I froze.
Even now, I was afraid of doing anything that could be twisted against me.
Maya noticed.
Her face crumpled.
“Jordan…”
“It's okay.””
“No, it isn't.””
She looked at my father through the phone.
“Dad, that's why I lied.””
My father asked, “Explain.””
Maya wiped her cheeks.
“Uncle Ryan told Mom that if you found out about the money, everything would fall apart.””
Claire shook her head.
“You don't understand what you're talking about.””
“I heard you!””
Maya's voice echoed through the house.
“You told him you'd handle it!””
Claire's face turned red.
“That was a private conversation.””
“You were going to blame Jordan!””
I stared at Claire.
“What?””
Maya looked at me.
“I heard Mom say your name.””
My pulse started pounding.
“Why?””
Maya's lips trembled.
“Because Uncle Ryan said everyone would believe it if it looked like you were the problem.””
My father's voice became sharp.
“Claire, what money is she talking about?””
Claire said nothing.
“Claire.””
Still nothing.
My father repeated, “How much?””
Claire's eyes shifted toward the kitchen.
Maya whispered, “Twenty-seven thousand dollars.””
I stared at her.
My father went silent.
Then he said, “I'm five minutes away.””
The call ended.
Claire immediately turned toward Maya.
“You have no idea what you've done.””
Maya's face went pale.
“You were going to frame him.””
“I was trying to protect this family.””
“You were protecting Uncle Ryan.””
Claire stepped closer.
“He promised he'd pay it back.””
I looked at her.
“You stole from Dad?””
“No.””
“Then why did Maya say twenty-seven thousand dollars?””
Claire looked at me with pure hatred.
“Because she doesn't understand adult problems.””
Maya laughed bitterly through her tears.
“I understand enough.””
She ran upstairs.
I started after her.
Claire blocked me.
“Stay away from my daughter.””
“I wasn't going to hurt her.””
“That's exactly what a guilty person would say.””
I stared at her.
“You still believe that?””
She didn't answer.
Then we heard Maya's bedroom door lock.
Claire looked upstairs.
“Maya?””
No response.
She walked to the stairs.
“Maya, open the door.””
Nothing.
She tried again.
“Maya!””
Still nothing.
I heard a muffled sob.
Then a sound like a drawer being pulled open.
Claire's expression changed.
“What is she doing?””
I looked at her.
“You tell me.””
She rushed upstairs.
I followed.
“Maya, open the door!””
A voice came from inside.
“Mom, don't come in.””
Claire gripped the doorknob.
“Maya, open this door right now.””
“No.””
“I'm your mother.””
“I know.””
“Then open it.””
There was a long pause.
Then Maya said,
“I found the proof.””
Claire went completely still.
“What proof?””
Maya's voice shook.
“The proof that Jordan didn't do anything.””
I stared at the door.
Claire slowly turned toward me.
“What did you find?””
Maya didn't answer.
Instead, we heard her crying.
May you like
Then came three words that changed everything.
“His security footage.””
