Chapter 15 - Layla's Name

I had opened a custodial savings account for Layla when she was born.

Birthday money went there.

Small gifts from friends.

A few hundred dollars from me each month when I could afford it.

There should have been about fourteen thousand dollars in it.

I logged in.

The balance was $6,204.

I stared at the number.

Then I checked transaction history.

Three withdrawals.

Each one transferred to the same destination: Mercer Household LLC.

My parents had created that company years ago to manage a rental property.

The first withdrawal happened when Layla was two.

The second when she was three.

The third six weeks ago.

I called the bank's fraud department with Detective Ruiz on a conference line.

The representative confirmed that someone had used my credentials and a recovery code sent to Mom's phone.

"Can you recover the money?" I asked.

"We will investigate."

"It's my daughter's."

My voice broke for the first time.

Ruiz stepped in gently. "Document the claim. We will provide law-enforcement records."

After the call, I went into the hospital bathroom and locked the door.

I finally cried.

Not quietly.

Not beautifully.

I pressed both hands over my mouth because I didn't want Layla to hear me, and I cried until my face hurt.

Then someone knocked.

"Mommy?"

I wiped my cheeks and opened the door.

Layla stood there holding the rail with one hand and Beep with the other. A nurse was behind her.

"You sad?" Layla asked.

I knelt carefully.

"A little."

She put one tiny hand on my cheek.

"I can share Bunny."

That nearly broke me again.

I hugged her gently.

"I love you so much."

"I love you more."

That night, I made a decision.

I wasn't withdrawing anything.

Not the fraud reports.

Not the complaint against Dad.

Not the bank disputes.

Nothing.

I sent one message to the family group chat.

Do not contact me directly again. All communication goes through my attorney or Detective Ruiz.

Mom replied within seconds.

You would send your own parents to jail over money?

I looked at Layla.

Then another message arrived from an unknown number.

It contained a photo of my apartment door.

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And the words:

You should change the locks.