Chapter 13: The Sister Who Never Left
For twelve years, I'd believed my younger sister was living somewhere in Europe.
Catherine had supposedly moved overseas after an argument with Daniel. He told me she'd found a new life, changed her phone number, and wanted nothing to do with the family.
I'd tried contacting her several times.
Every message went unanswered.
Every birthday passed without a call.
And now her name was appearing on financial documents connected to the attempted theft of my home.
My phone continued ringing.
Eleanor looked at me.
"Answer it.""
I pressed the green button.
"Catherine?""
A woman's voice came through.
"Hello, Michael.""
I closed my eyes.
It was her.
Twelve years hadn't erased the sound of my sister's voice.
"Where have you been?""
There was a long pause.
"Somewhere you weren't looking.""
I gripped the phone.
"I've been looking for you for twelve years.""
"I know.""
"Daniel told me you moved overseas.""
"He lied.""
I looked at Robert.
He gestured for me to continue.
"Why are you calling now?""
"Because I heard you've started asking questions about Laura's trust.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"How do you know about that?""
"Daniel told me.""
"Of course he did.""
She sighed.
"Michael, you need to stop digging.""
I almost laughed.
"Are you serious?""
"There's more involved than you understand.""
"Then explain it.""
"Not over the phone.""
"Where are you?""
"Meet me tomorrow. Alone.""
Robert immediately shook his head.
I answered carefully.
"I'm not meeting anyone alone.""
Catherine became irritated.
"You're still the same, Michael. You always need someone telling you what to do.""
"No. I'm finally learning not to trust people simply because they're family.""
She went quiet.
Then she said something that made my blood run cold.
"Laura knew about everything.""
I stared at the phone.
"What?""
"She knew Daniel was working with me.""
The call ended.
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
Ethan was watching me.
"That was Aunt Catherine?""
I nodded.
"She says Mom knew.""
Eleanor immediately shook her head.
"That's not true.""
"How can you be certain?""
"Because I was with Laura when she discovered Catherine's involvement. She was devastated.""
Robert gathered the documents.
"Whatever Catherine says, we need to verify it independently. I recommend arranging any meeting through legal counsel.""
I agreed.
That evening, we returned home.
Vanessa was waiting in the kitchen.
She looked exhausted.
"Michael, I need to tell you something.""
I stopped.
"What now?""
She held out her phone.
"I received a message from Catherine.""
I took it.
The message read:
You need to prepare Michael. The money Daniel promised you was never yours to keep. Once the property transfer is completed, everything changes.
I looked at Vanessa.
"What money?""
She swallowed.
"Daniel told me I'd receive a share of the property proceeds.""
"How much?""
"Forty thousand.""
I stared at her.
"Forty thousand dollars?""
She nodded.
"That was supposed to be compensation for helping him organize the household arrangements.""
I felt sick.
"Organize?""
"Michael, I know how terrible this sounds.""
"You charged my son rent and helped your brother-in-law steal his mother's house. What exactly did you think it would sound like?""
She began crying.
"I thought the money would help Madison and me start over.""
"Without Ethan?""
She couldn't answer.
I walked away.
Upstairs, Ethan was sitting at his desk.
He had placed Laura's birthday card beside his laptop.
"Are you okay?"" I asked.
He nodded.
Then he looked at me.
"Dad, if Mom knew what was happening, do you think she would have wanted me to fight for the house?""
I sat beside him.
"Your mother wanted you to have a safe home. She never wanted you to spend your life fighting people.""
"Then what am I supposed to do?""
"Stand up for yourself. That's different.""
He considered that.
Then he smiled faintly.
"She used to say something like that.""
I nodded.
"She did.""
The following morning, Robert arranged a meeting with Catherine at his office.
She arrived wearing an expensive coat and carrying a designer handbag.
She looked older, but otherwise I recognized her immediately.
She stopped when she saw me.
"Michael.""
I didn't stand.
"Catherine.""
She looked at Ethan.
"Hello, sweetheart.""
Ethan didn't respond.
Catherine sat across from us.
Robert introduced himself and explained that the meeting would be documented.
Catherine rolled her eyes.
"Of course. Everyone needs a lawyer now.""
I leaned forward.
"Why did you tell me you moved overseas?""
"Because Daniel asked me to.""
"Why?""
She looked at Robert.
Then at me.
"Because I was trying to protect the family.""
I laughed bitterly.
"From what?""
"From Laura.""
The room became silent.
Catherine continued.
"Laura was controlling. She didn't want Daniel involved in the property. She kept insisting everything belonged to Ethan.""
"Because it was her house!""
"She didn't trust anyone!""
"She was right!""
Catherine slammed her handbag onto the table.
"You don't understand what she did. She left money, property, and legal instructions that excluded everyone else.""
I stared at her.
"So you helped Daniel steal it?""
"I helped him protect what our family deserved.""
"What did you deserve?""
She looked at me.
Then she said something I would never forget.
"Half the house.""
Robert immediately closed his notebook.
"Ms. Bennett, do you have any legal document establishing that claim?""
Catherine looked away.
"No.""
"Then why did you receive forty thousand dollars?""
Her face changed.
And for the first time, she realized we knew about the transfer.
But before she could answer, Robert placed another document on the table.
It was the original partnership agreement.
Catherine stared at it.
Then she whispered:
"Where did you get that?""
Robert answered calmly.
"From the records your sister-in-law preserved.""
Catherine looked at me.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Michael, you need to know what Daniel promised me.""
I leaned forward.
"What?""
She swallowed.
"He promised that once Ethan was out of the house, he'd give me something Laura had hidden.""
"What?""
May you like
Catherine looked directly at me.
"The original document proving who really owns the property.""
