Chapter 7: The Price of Telling the Truth
Mom stared at the report.
“Aaron brought papers to the house.
He said they released grant money for Paige.”
“Did you read them?” Dad asked.
“No.”
“Did you sign them?”
“Yes.”
“Did he give you anything afterward?”
Mom reached into her purse and removed a checkbook.
“He paid off our home-equity loan.”
Dad took one step back.
“You told me your sister left you that money.”
“I was afraid you’d ask questions.”
“You lied to me for eighteen months.”
Mom reached for him, but he lowered his hands.
“I’ll cooperate,” she said.
“I’ll give back every dollar.”
Aaron laughed.
“You hear that?
Everyone took something.
I’m just the only one honest enough to admit money matters.”
I faced him.
“You raised money using my face.”
“And donors opened their wallets.
Nobody forced them.”
“You forged my signature.”
“You should thank me.
Your sad story finally did something useful.”
Dad moved forward, but I caught his arm.
“No.
Let him keep talking.”
Elliot closed his folder.
“Aaron, I am advising you to remain silent.”
“You work for me.”
“Not anymore.”
Aaron blinked.
“What?”
Elliot placed a sealed envelope in Maya’s hand.
“This is my written withdrawal.
It also contains an escrow instruction Mr.
Carter sent this morning.”
“You can’t disclose privileged communication,” Aaron snapped.
“A request to destroy or conceal evidence is not protected.”
Maya opened the envelope.
“Transfer all remaining charity assets to a foreign account, then erase the donor ledger.”
Aaron ran toward the side exit.
Daniel and the security officers blocked the doors.
“Move,” Aaron ordered.
Daniel took out a set of restraints.
“Aaron Carter, you are under arrest on federal fraud, identity theft, obstruction, and money-laundering charges.”
Nicole gripped the desk as Daniel secured Aaron’s wrists.
“This is your fault,” Aaron shouted at her.
“You’ll come crawling back when they take the house and the children.”
Nicole lifted her chin.
“No.
My children will learn that losing a house is better than living inside a lie.”
Aaron turned to me.
“You think you won?
Your entire family used you.”
I met his eyes.
“They did.
And they’re going to answer for it.”
His smile faltered.
“At least I never pretended to love you.”
“No,” I said.
“You only pretended my life belonged to you.”
Daniel led him toward the doors.
Aaron twisted around for one final look at Nicole.
“When this is over, nobody will want you.”
Nicole picked up her wedding ring and dropped it into an evidence bag.
“My sister wanted me before you taught me not to want her back.”
The doors closed behind him.
Nicole covered her face.
Her shoulders shook, and I stood beside her while she cried.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“I know those words aren’t enough.”
“They aren’t.”
She nodded against her hands.
“But they can be where you start,” I said.
Dad sat beside Mom.
“We’re selling the house.”
Mom looked at him through swollen eyes.
“Are you leaving me?”
“I haven’t decided.
First, we repay what you accepted.
Then you tell the truth without asking Paige to rescue you from it.”
Maya approached me with another document.
“There will be a hearing.
Aaron’s defense will argue that your family approved the fund.”
“Then I’ll testify.”
“Nicole may be charged too.”
Nicole stood beside me.
“I’ll testify anyway.”
Maya looked from her to me.
“The prosecutor will need both of you in the same courtroom.”
Nicole reached for my hand but waited.
May you like
This time, I took it.
“Then that’s where we’ll be.”
