The Secret in the Folder

Amara’s POV

I stared at the folder for a full minute after Sophia left.

It sat on the table like something alive—quiet, pulsing, poisonous.

My hands wouldn’t move. My lungs barely did.

The air felt thick and heavy, like the room itself was closing in.

I wasn’t ready to open it.

But not knowing would hurt even more.

My fingers trembled as I slid the elastic off. The sound snapped through the room like a warning.

Then I opened it.

And everything inside me cracked.

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The first page was a financial record—my brother’s name printed clearly at the top.

I blinked. Reread it. Blinked again.

Illegal loans.

Predatory lenders.

A forged signature.

My mother’s signature.

My stomach twisted hard.

I flipped to the next page. My heartbeat thudded louder with each line.

Court notices.

Threats of asset seizure.

A past complaint—withdrawn without explanation.

Or paid off.

The room swayed for a second.

I knew my brother was desperate back then. I knew his debt after my father’s accident was bad. I knew