Chapter 7 - The Last Manipulation
Before the officer reached her, Mia began crying.
Not the irritated tears she used during arguments. These were desperate, frightened sobs.
“Dad, please.”
Daniel looked away.
Mia turned to Elena.
“Mom, tell them you gave me permission.”
Elena’s face tightened.
Mia stepped closer.
“I’m your only daughter.”
The officer gently blocked her path.
Mia continued speaking over him.
“You know I would never hurt you. I was going to replace everything. Brent had an investment opportunity. We would have doubled the money.”
Brent stared at her.
“You said it was your inheritance.”
Mia spun toward him.
“Be quiet.”
Detective Morales looked at Brent.
“What investment?”
Brent hesitated, then told the truth.
Mia had planned to use the remaining money to purchase cryptocurrency through an unregistered online broker. She believed a stranger from a private group had guaranteed a massive return.
Daniel closed his eyes.
The theft was not only selfish. It was senseless.
Mia had endangered Elena for shopping, a car, and a promise from someone she had never met.
Detective Morales asked Brent to explain the watch.
He admitted Mia had taken Daniel’s safe key from a desk drawer.
Mia stared at him with hatred.
“You coward.”
Brent gave a bitter laugh.
“You told me your parents approved everything.”
“You knew they didn’t.”
The officer informed Mia that she was being detained on suspicion of financial exploitation, identity theft, and unauthorized access to financial accounts.
She looked at Elena one final time.
“Mom, please.”
Elena’s eyes filled with tears.
For years, she had rescued Mia from missed rent, lost jobs, unpaid loans, and broken promises. Each rescue had been called love.
Now she understood that love without boundaries had become permission.
May you like
“I hope you change,” Elena said. “But I will not lie for you again.”
The officer led Mia from the kitchen.
