Chapter 1: The First Domino Falls

I barely slept that night.

Neither did Owen.

When I showed him the transaction history, he stared at the screen for nearly a full minute before saying a single word.

"They forged it."

The account required authorization from both parents.

Neither of us had approved a withdrawal.

Someone had.

Someone with access.

At seven-thirty the next morning, we were sitting inside the bank manager's office.

The manager, Melissa Grant, frowned as she reviewed the records.

"This withdrawal wasn't made online."

She clicked through another screen.

"It was completed here... in person."

My heartbeat slowed.

"In person?"

Melissa nodded.

"There were identification documents."

She turned the monitor toward us.

Two scanned driver's licenses.

Mine.

And Owen's.

Except both were fake.

The signatures looked almost perfect.

Almost.

"The surveillance footage is still stored," Melissa said quietly.

"We'll review it."

Twenty minutes later the video appeared.

There they were.

Janet.

Robert.

Walking confidently into the branch together.

My mother handed over forged identification.

My father signed the paperwork.

Neither looked nervous.

Neither looked rushed.

When the teller counted the cashier's check across the desk, my mother actually smiled.

Melissa paused the video.

"I'm very sorry."

"This is identity fraud."

"And bank fraud."

"We're required to report it."

I looked at Owen.

He nodded once.

"No exceptions."

"No family meetings."

"No second chances."

"Call the police."

...

That afternoon my phone exploded.

Thirty-two missed calls.

Fourteen text messages.

Every one from family.

Except Anna.

Her message simply read:

Love you, Mom.

I smiled for the first time in two days.

Then Sabrina finally reached me.

"You called the police?"

Her voice shook with outrage.

"They're your parents!"

"They stole from my daughter."

"It was for Carter!"

"So?"

"So?" I repeated.

"My daughter isn't worth less because your son needs tuition."

Silence.

Then Sabrina snapped.

"Anna isn't even college material!"

Click.

She hung up.

I saved the voicemail.

Every word.

Every insult.

Every threat.

Because suddenly...

Evidence mattered.