Chapter 7 - Elaine Finally Let Go
Franklin looked down.
A canvas grocery bag was tied beneath the wooden chair with a blue ribbon.
Elaine had placed it there before lunch.
He reached for it.
Maris moved first.
She stepped around the table and planted one heel on the ribbon.
“Sit down.”
Franklin stared at her.
“You do not give orders in my house.”
Maris held up the signed property agreement.
“That is exactly what we are determining.”
Colton stood.
“This is insane.”
Derek joined him.
“You can’t come here and threaten Dad.”
Maris looked at both brothers.
“I asked one question about money taken from me twelve years ago.”
Colton scoffed.
“You volunteered.”
“Did Dad tell you that?”
“He said you wanted to invest.”
Derek nodded.
“You begged to be included.”
Maris almost smiled.
Franklin had rewritten the past so completely that her brothers believed she had pursued the deal.
Elaine finally spoke.
“She didn’t volunteer.”
Franklin turned toward her.
Elaine flinched.
But she continued.
“We told her the company would fail. We told her everyone would lose their homes. We cried until she signed.”
Colton’s face tightened.
“Mom, stop.”
“No.”
The word sounded unfamiliar in Elaine’s mouth.
She placed both hands on the table.
“Maris was twenty-one. She was grieving her grandfather. Franklin used that.”
Franklin stepped toward her.
“You were there.”
“Yes.”
“You agreed.”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t pretend you’re innocent.”
Elaine’s eyes filled.
“I’m not.”
The honesty stopped him.
Elaine looked at Maris.
“I chose fear every time you needed me.”
Maris felt tears threaten.
She refused to let them fall yet.
Elaine untied the canvas bag and handed it to her.
Inside was the blue ledger.
Franklin grabbed for it.
Maris stepped back.
Colton caught Franklin’s shoulder.
“Dad, what’s in it?”
“Old bookkeeping.”
“Then why are you panicking?”
Franklin shoved his son’s hand away.
Derek took the ledger from Maris before she could react.
He opened it.
Rows of handwritten entries filled the pages.
Maris Camden inheritance deposit.
Transfer to payroll.
Collateral: Camden residence.
Vehicle title placed in protective holding.
Repayment balance: unpaid.
Derek stared at Franklin.
“You used her money to save everything.”
Franklin’s jaw clenched.
“She was part of the family.”
“And you never paid her back?”
“I gave her a career.”
Maris took the ledger from Derek.
May you like
“No. I built one despite you.”
👉 The ledger proved Franklin owed Maris—but one missing page revealed that Colton and Derek had benefited from the money more recently than anyone knew.
