All Chapters of Mom Stole My Future: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Now I knew exactly where all her money had gone.But who was that boy?I didn't say anything else to Grant. I quietly withdrew from the prep program.The sunlight was blinding when I walked out of the administrative office, but I felt cold all over.The bright future I'd once thought was waiting for me had been stolen a year ago by the two people I trusted most.I had only $7.30 in my pocket, money Dad had secretly slipped me that morning so I could buy a bottle of water.I took the bus home.The scenery rushed past outside the window as I gripped my phone so tightly my fingertips turned white.I didn't cry. Crying wouldn't solve anything.I needed answers. I needed to find out exactly what had happened.I opened Mom's social media profile. She'd blocked me from seeing her posts three years ago.Then I opened Cassidy's. Her feed was full of everyday life at Briarwood University, with the occasional post about "waiting for Conor," as if she were hopelessly devoted to me.Loo

"We need to gather evidence and take back everything that belongs to us."Dad paused, then understood what I meant and nodded firmly. "Okay. I'll follow your lead. Whatever you say we need to do, we'll do it."Just then, my phone buzzed.Gavin had updated his secondary account.It was a short video. He grinned into the camera with one of Briarwood University's academic buildings behind him.He waved an award certificate in front of the camera, his voice overflowing with pride."I'm going up onstage to accept an award next week! The two most important people in my life will be there with me: my mom and my girlfriend! They'll both be there cheering me on!"I stared at the screen, my nails digging so hard into my palms that the pain made me tremble.The two most important people in his life.My mother. My childhood sweetheart.They were with the man who had stolen my life, getting ready to stand beside him on Briarwood's stage and bask in everyone's praise and congratulations.

The auditorium went deathly quiet. The only sounds were the faint electrical hum of the spotlights and my heart pounding so hard it felt ready to burst out of my chest.Gavin's face went white. His chin, held high with pride only moments ago, dropped. The hand gripping the microphone trembled violently, and the trophy wobbled in his other hand, nearly slipping from his grasp.He forced himself to stand straight."I-I'm Conor Hale," he stammered. "Officers, what do you need me for? Is there some kind of mistake?"The moment he finished, he looked frantically toward the audience.Mom shot to her feet. The smug smile on her face froze as she hurried toward the stage, forcing an ingratiating smile as she approached the officers."Officers, this has to be a misunderstanding. My son just received the university's top scholarship. He's an outstanding student. How could he possibly have done anything wrong? Or did he do something commendable and you're here to recognize him?"Cassidy im

Mom kept shooting Cassidy frantic looks.Cassidy immediately understood."Please," she said to Evan, forcing herself to sound calm. "We'll cooperate. We just want to leave here first."Evan looked at them, then at the officers' grim faces. "Officers, perhaps it would be better to continue the investigation at the station."The officers had no objection. They escorted the still-sobbing Gavin toward the doors.Mom and Cassidy stayed pressed close to him on either side, as protective as if they were his family.Gavin was terrified. "Cassidy, I'm scared... I didn't do anything wrong. Mom, help me...""Don't be scared." Cassidy gently patted his back, her voice impossibly tender. "Once we explain everything, it'll be fine. You are Conor. No one can do anything to you. Remember that. You are Conor Hale."Mom crouched beside him and wiped away his tears with a tissue, her face pinched with distress. "My sweet boy, don't worry. I won't let anyone hurt you."Even as she comforted him,

Detective Griffin frowned. He wasn't swayed by their accusations. Instead, he looked at me. "You say you're the real Conor Hale. Do you have proof?"I stared at the three people in front of me, and everything I'd been holding back finally erupted."Proof? What more proof do I need? If I hadn't tried to register for the SAT this year and discovered that my identity was already tied to an active student record at Briarwood, I might have spent the rest of my life believing your lies!"I turned on Mom. "Mom, I'm your biological son. You built your company with the money Grandpa gave you. The moment he died, you cut off almost all financial support for Dad and me. We were living on canned soup and toast while you spent everything on your illegitimate son. You bought him designer clothes, sent him on expensive trips, stole my identity, and gave him my place at Briarwood!"Then I looked at Cassidy. "Did you forget who jumped into a frozen lake to save you when we were eight? Did you forge