Chapter 30: Confronting the Past
Maya decided to confront her parents about the secrets she had uncovered. She needed answers and wanted to know the truth about their business empire. The weight of her discoveries had been crushing her, and she couldn't keep quiet any longer.
"Mom, Dad, we need to talk," Maya said, her voice firm but shaking slightly. She had chosen her words carefully, trying to convey the gravity of the situation without accusing them outright.
Her parents exchanged nervous glances, sensing that Maya knew more than they had let on. They had always been careful to present a united front, but now their composure was beginning to crack.
"What's going on, sweetie?" her mom asked, trying to sound calm. But Maya could hear the tension beneath the surface.
Maya took a deep breath and launched into the questions she had been wanting to ask. "I know about the shady deals and the lies. I want to know why you kept it from me. Why did you pretend our family was perfect?"
Her parents looked at each other, unsure of how to respond. Her dad cleared his throat, trying to stall for time. "Maya, we—"
But Maya cut him off. "No, Dad, don't try to spin this. I've seen the documents, the emails, the bank statements. I know about the bribes and the embezzlement. I want to know why."
Her mom sighed, her shoulders sagging. "Maya, we did it for you. We wanted to give you a better life, a secure future."
Maya felt a wave of anger wash over her. "A better life? You call this a better life? You've ruined our family's reputation, and possibly even committed crimes. And you did it all for me?"