Chapter 4: The Name on the Deed
For several seconds, nobody at the table moved.
I stared at the photograph Robert had placed in front of me.
Daniel stood beside a beautiful two-story house, his arm wrapped around a woman wearing a red coat. The real estate sign behind them displayed the property's address.
But it was the name on the deed that made my stomach turn.
Vanessa Mitchell.
His sister.
I looked from the document to Vanessa.
"Why is your name on a house you supposedly bought with my money?""
Vanessa wiped her cheeks with a napkin.
"It's not what you think.""
I almost laughed.
"Then please explain it.""
Daniel stepped between us.
"Sarah, you're making assumptions. Vanessa's name was used for financing purposes. That's all.""
Robert shook his head.
"Don't insult everyone's intelligence.""
He took another document from the folder.
"The house was purchased seven months ago. The down payment was $96,000.""
I looked at the date.
Seven months ago.
That was the same month Daniel had told me our savings were lower than expected because of unexpected business expenses.
"Where did the ninety-six thousand dollars come from?""
Robert tapped the statement.
"Forty-two thousand from your joint household account. Twenty-four thousand from Sarah's personal savings. The remaining thirty thousand came through a company registered under Vanessa's name.""
I turned toward my husband.
"You told me we couldn't afford to replace the roof.""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"We had financial priorities.""
"You had enough money to buy another house!""
"Sarah, listen—"
"No. You listen.""
My voice echoed through the private dining room.
"Do you remember sleeping beside me while I cried because I thought we were falling behind on our mortgage? You told me we needed to cut back on groceries. You told me I was spending too much on ordinary things.""
Daniel's expression tightened.
"I was trying to manage everything.""
"Apparently, you were managing three households.""
Michael slowly stood.
"Daniel, is Lauren living in that house?""
Nobody answered.
I looked at the photograph again.
The woman in the red coat was smiling.
Daniel looked happier than I'd seen him in months.
Vanessa finally spoke.
"Lauren doesn't live there. She visits.""
I turned toward her.
"Why would she visit your house?""
Vanessa's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Robert answered instead.
"Because Vanessa has been collecting rent from Daniel's girlfriend for months.""
Patricia gasped.
"What?""
Robert continued.
"The property was purchased in Vanessa's name, but Daniel arranged the financing. Lauren paid monthly rent directly into Vanessa's business account.""
I looked at Vanessa.
"So you're making money from your brother's affair?""
She started crying harder.
"I didn't know what else to do!""
"How much?""
She shook her head.
"Vanessa. How much?""
"Three thousand two hundred dollars a month.""
I stared at her.
She had been collecting rent from the woman my husband was seeing while I paid for her overdue apartment bills.
Something inside me went strangely quiet.
I wasn't even angry anymore.
I was beginning to understand how thoroughly these people had mistaken my kindness for stupidity.
Daniel reached for my hand.
"Sarah, we can fix this.""
I stepped backward.
"Don't touch me.""
"You're my wife.""
"And you're a stranger who knows my bank password.""
He looked wounded.
For one ridiculous second, he actually looked offended.
Then Robert opened the folder again.
"There's one more thing.""
Daniel's head snapped toward him.
"Dad, enough!""
Robert ignored him.
"Last week, I received a phone call from the title company. They wanted to confirm that Sarah would be attending the signing appointment.""
I frowned.
"What signing appointment?""
Robert handed me an email.
It stated that a closing appointment had been scheduled for the following Monday.
The property listed was my mother's house.
The buyer's name was an LLC registered in Tennessee.
I read the name twice.
"Who owns this company?""
Robert pointed to the bottom of the page.
"Your husband.""
Daniel's face drained of color.
I slowly raised my eyes.
"You were going to sell my mother's house to your own company?""
He swallowed.
"Sarah, I was trying to protect the property.""
"From whom?""
He didn't answer.
Robert folded his hands.
"From the looks of it, the company was going to purchase the house below market value, then transfer ownership to another buyer.""
I felt sick.
My mother's home was worth nearly $340,000.
The proposed purchase price was $185,000.
"Why so cheap?""
Robert looked directly at Daniel.
"Because someone was planning to make a considerable profit after the transfer.""
Vanessa suddenly pushed her chair back.
"Daniel, you said this would be over by Monday!""
The room went silent again.
I turned toward her.
"By Monday?""
She covered her mouth.
Daniel grabbed her arm.
"Stop talking!""
But the damage was done.
I looked at my husband.
"What happens Monday?""
He stared at the floor.
Robert answered.
"Monday morning, the title company expects Sarah to arrive and sign the final transfer documents.""
I checked the date on my phone.
Monday was three days away.
Then another message appeared from Emily.
Mrs. Mitchell, I have something important to tell you. The buyer has already paid a deposit. And I believe your husband has been using a second identity to communicate with the title company.
I looked at Daniel.
"What second identity?""
He didn't respond.
Then Emily sent another message.
Please look at the email address attached to the transaction. It's registered to someone named David Carter.
I read it aloud.
Daniel suddenly grabbed his jacket.
Robert stood in front of him.
"Sit down, son.""
Daniel looked at his father.
For the first time, I saw genuine fear in his eyes.
Because David Carter wasn't a stranger.
May you like
It was the name Daniel had used on a credit card application I had discovered in our mailbox six months earlier.
And apparently, that was only the beginning.
