Chapter 6 - My Mother's ConfessionMy mother called that night.
“Hannah.”
“What?”
“I need to see you.”
“Why?”
“Because there are things you don't know.”
I agreed.
We met at the same hotel where the anniversary party had been held.
She looked smaller than I remembered.
Tired.
“I didn't know about the forged signature.”
“But you knew Dad was using Northstar.”
She lowered her head.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because your father told me he was borrowing against a future investment.”
“He told you that?”
“Yes.”
“And you believed him?”
“I wanted to.”
I stared at her.
She began crying.
“I spent forty years believing your father knew best.”
“That isn't an excuse.”
“I know.”
“Why did you always compare me to Olivia?”
She looked at me.
“Because I was afraid of you.”
I laughed.
“Afraid?”
“You were independent.”
“You questioned everything.”
“You never needed your father.”
She wiped her eyes.
“Olivia needed us.”
I finally understood.
It wasn't that they loved Olivia more.
They simply felt safer with her.
I had always been the daughter who might leave.
And eventually, I did.
My mother handed me a document.
“Your father has been hiding this.”
I opened it.
It was a private loan agreement.
My mother had pledged their family home as collateral.
For the same project.
If the project failed, they would lose everything.
I looked at her.
“He used your house too.”
“Yes.”
“Does Dad know?”
She shook her head.
“He signed it without telling me.”
I stared at the document.
For the first time, I realized my father wasn't simply greedy.
He was desperate.
And desperate people did dangerous things.
The next morning, I made a decision.
I would offer a settlement.
Not because my father deserved it.
Because I wanted my mother and Olivia protected from the consequences of his fraud.
I would purchase the debt.
Then restructure Reed Capital.
But there would be conditions.
Full confession.
Return of every stolen dollar.
Resignation from the company.
No control over Northstar.
And no more lies.
David looked at me.
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
“You could destroy him.”
“I know.”
“Why won't you?”
May you like
I looked at the city outside.
“Because I don't want to become him.”
Related Stories
