Student ID.
Former graduate program.
Then, at the top, in unmistakable lettering:
ACADEMIC STATUS: PERMANENTLY EXPELLED.
Mom made a sound like she had forgotten how to breathe.
Dad moved closer to the screen.
Underneath were the details.
Reason:
Repeated unexcused absences.
Failure to meet academic requirements.
Effective date:
Three years earlier.
The room became completely silent.
Mom clutched the pearls around her neck.
“Chloe.”
My sister didn’t answer.
“Tell me this is wrong.”
Chloe’s eyes filled with tears.
For three years, she had been pretending to be a doctoral student.
During those same three years, my parents had been giving her money.
A lot of money.
Tuition.
Laboratory fees.
Research expenses.
Travel.
Special academic programs.
Every time Chloe asked, they paid.
They had dipped into their retirement savings because they believed they were investing in the brilliant daughter who was going to make the family proud.
There had been no tuition.
No research.
No thesis.
Much of the money had gone toward luxury trips, designer clothes, expensive hotels, and the lifestyle Chloe displayed online.
She had created fake report cards.
Fake university letters.
Fake progress updates.
Mom’s face crumpled.
Dad stared at Chloe like he no longer recognized her.
Then Nora said,
“There’s more.”
Chloe looked at her.
“Stop.”
Nora clicked again.
A series of financial transfers appeared.
For the previous eighteen months, Chloe had been moving large amounts of my parents’ money into a company connected to her ex-husband, Julian Vance.
At first, Mom seemed confused.
Dad was the one who understood.
“Our retirement accounts.”
His voice came out as a whisper.
Nora nodded.
The transfers were designed to move money into accounts controlled by Julian before Chloe’s lies collapsed.
Dad sank into a chair.
“How much?”
Nora looked at me.
Enough.
More than enough.
Then the doorbell rang.
Nobody moved.
Except Nora.
She walked to the front door and opened it.
A man in a dark suit stood outside with two uniformed officers.
Arthur Vance.
Julian’s uncle.
He had also been my late husband’s uncle and had stayed in touch with Nora and me after my husband passed away.
Arthur was a corporate attorney.
And unlike the rest of the Vance family, he had never trusted Julian.
“Good morning,” he said.
Then he stepped inside.
“I’m representing Evelyn in this matter.”
Chloe’s face drained of color.
Arthur continued.
“The university has also submitted documentation regarding fraudulent academic credentials. The financial evidence has been forwarded to investigators.”
One of the officers moved closer.
Arthur looked at Chloe.
