Episode 7: The Signature
934 Words
Adaobi stared at the document as if it were poison.
The signature at the bottom looked almost identical to hers.
Almost.
But not enough.
She knew every curve of her handwriting, every loop of her name. She had signed invoices, contracts, and bank forms for years.
This was not her signature.
Someone had practiced it.
Someone had copied it carefully.
And that someone had gained access to her money.
A cold shiver ran through her body.
Her office suddenly felt too small, too quiet.
She quickly locked the door.
Then she took photographs of the document with her phone.
Front.
Back.
Every signature.
Every stamp.
Every detail.
Her hands were shaking, but her mind was becoming frighteningly clear.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Adaobi? It’s me.”
Amaka.
Adaobi opened the door and immediately handed her the papers.
Amaka read them once.
Then again.
Her face changed.
“This is forgery.”
Adaobi nodded slowly.
“I never signed this.”
“And Vivian was added as an authorized operator?”
“Yes.”
Amaka looked up in disbelief.
“Without your knowledge?”
“Yes.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Amaka said the words Adaobi had been trying to avoid.
“You need to go to the police.”
Adaobi looked away.
The thought made her stomach tighten.
Police.
Statements.
Investigations.
Public shame.
People whispering about her marriage.
About her husband.
About her best friend.
“I’m not ready,” she whispered.
Amaka’s voice softened. “I know. But if you wait too long, they may move the rest of the money.”
Adaobi closed her eyes.
The rest of the money.
How much else had she not discovered?
That afternoon, she went to the bank.
The air-conditioning inside the banking hall felt icy against her skin.
She sat across from the customer service manager, a middle-aged woman with glasses and a calm expression.
“How can I help you, madam?”
Adaobi placed the authorization form on the desk.
“I want to know who submitted this document.”
The manager adjusted her glasses and studied the paper.
After a few seconds, her expression changed.
“One moment.”
She left the office.
Adaobi’s heart pounded.
Minutes later, the manager returned with another file.
“According to our records, this form was submitted three weeks ago.”
“By who?”
The woman hesitated.
“Your husband, Mr. Kelechi Okafor.”
Adaobi felt the breath leave her lungs.
“Was I present?”
“No.”
“Did anyone call me to confirm the addition of a new operator?”
The manager frowned at the screen.
“There is no record of a confirmation call.”
Adaobi swallowed hard.
“So he added another person to our business account without my presence and without verbal confirmation?”
The manager became cautious.
“Madam, I cannot comment on procedure, but if you believe the signature is forged, you should file an official complaint immediately.”
Adaobi looked down at the document.
The evidence was no longer suspicion.
It was real.
As she stood to leave, the manager spoke again.
“There is something else.”
Adaobi turned.
“The newly added operator—Miss Vivian Eze—visited this branch yesterday morning.”
Adaobi froze.
“Yesterday?”
“Yes.”
“What did she do?”
The manager checked the screen.
“She requested a balance inquiry and attempted another transfer.”
Adaobi’s pulse quickened.
“Was the transfer successful?”
“No. The transaction was declined due to insufficient funds.”
For the first time in days, Adaobi felt something unexpected.
Relief.
They had tried to take more.
And failed.
Outside the bank, her phone rang from an unknown number.
She almost ignored it.
Then she answered.
“Hello?”
Silence.
Then a soft voice.
“Ada… it’s me.”
Vivian.
Adaobi stopped walking.
“What do you want?”
“I need to see you.”
“No.”
“Please. Just five minutes.”
“You forged my signature.”
A sharp intake of breath came from the other end.
“Ada, listen to me—”
“You stole my money.”
“It wasn’t like that.”
“Then tell me what it was like.”
Vivian began to cry.
“I was desperate.”
“And that gave you the right to destroy my life?”
“No! Kelechi said he would explain everything.”
Adaobi’s eyes narrowed.
“So this was his idea?”
Silence.
That silence answered more than words.
“Ada,” Vivian whispered, “I never wanted things to go this far.”
“But they did.”
Another silence.
Then Vivian said something that made Adaobi’s blood run cold.
“There are things you don’t know about Kelechi.”
Adaobi’s grip tightened on the phone.
“What things?”
“He has debts.”
The world seemed to pause.
“What?”
“Serious debts. The money wasn’t only for me.”
Adaobi’s heartbeat quickened.
“What are you talking about?”
“He owes people, Ada. Dangerous people.”
Before Adaobi could respond, Vivian spoke again, her voice trembling.
“And if he doesn’t pay them soon… they will come for both of you.”
The call disconnected.
Adaobi stood motionless on the busy street, the noise of the city fading around her.
Her husband had betrayed her.
Her best friend had stolen from her.
But now a terrifying new question rose in her mind.
What if the missing money was only the beginning?
- Writer
