Chapter 8: My Father's Secret
I put the phone on speaker.
Daniel's face tightened.
The attorney continued.
“Emily, are you with Daniel right now?””
“Yes.””
“Then don't let him leave with any documents.””
Daniel laughed nervously.
“This is absurd.””
The attorney ignored him.
“I need you to secure the original trust documents immediately.””
I looked at the folder in my hands.
“What am I looking for?””
“A blue seal on the final page.””
I flipped through the papers.
“Why?””
“Because there are two versions of the trust.””
Daniel stepped toward me.
“Emily, hang up.””
I moved away.
The attorney said, “Do not hang up.””
Daniel stopped.
“What do you mean, two versions?””
The attorney's voice sharpened.
“The original trust and an amended trust.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Amended by who?””
There was a pause.
“Your father.””
My stomach dropped.
“My father amended it?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
“Five days before he died.””
I sat down on the stairs.
Daniel looked at me.
“You see?””
I whispered, “What did he change?””
The attorney exhaled.
“He removed Daniel as a beneficiary.””
Daniel's head snapped toward the phone.
“That isn't true.””
“It is.””
“You said I was included.””
“Under the earlier version.””
Daniel's face drained.
The attorney continued.
“Your father became concerned about Daniel's financial situation.””
I looked at Daniel.
“You were already in debt?””
Daniel said nothing.
“How much?”” I asked.
The attorney answered.
“Approximately seventy thousand dollars.””
I closed my eyes.
The numbers suddenly fit together.
The gambling.
The transfers.
The refinance.
The pressure.
The dinners.
Everything had been part of a larger plan.
Daniel stepped closer.
“Emily, your father was confused near the end.””
The attorney immediately said, “He was fully competent when he signed.””
Daniel froze.
I looked at him.
“You told me my father wanted you to have the house.””
“He did.””
“But then he changed the trust.””
Daniel shook his head.
“He was manipulated.””
“By who?””
Daniel didn't answer.
The attorney said quietly, “Emily, there's more.””
I looked at the phone.
“What?””
“Your father left a letter.””
Daniel's face changed.
“What letter?””
The attorney ignored him.
“He instructed me not to give it to you until you were legally separated from Daniel.””
My heart hammered.
“Why?””
“Because he believed Daniel might try to pressure you into signing something.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“That's insane.””
The attorney continued.
“Your father also left specific instructions regarding your marriage.””
I looked at Daniel.
“What instructions?””
“He said if Daniel ever attempted to borrow against the property without your knowledge, the trust should immediately freeze all related assets.””
Daniel cursed under his breath.
I stood.
“You knew.””
He shook his head.
“I didn't know about the amendment.””
“But you knew the trust existed.””
“Yes.””
“And you knew my father was worried about you.””
“I knew he had concerns.””
“You married me anyway.””
He looked at me.
“I loved you.””
“Then why did you forge my signature?””
His mouth opened.
No words came.
Rachel crossed her arms.
“Exactly.””
Daniel turned toward her.
“Stay out of this.””
“No.””
He looked at me again.
“I can explain.””
“Then explain the five hundred dollars.””
He frowned.
“What?””
“The transfer to Vanessa.””
“That was nothing.””
“You wrote, ‘She’ll never know.’”
His face hardened.
“I was trying to protect you.””
I laughed.
“From what?””
“My debt.””
“You stole money to protect me from your debt?””
“I was going to replace it.””
“With gambling winnings?””
Silence.
Rachel looked at him.
“You told me you were done gambling.””
Daniel glared at her.
“I was.””
“You went back last month.””
“I had no choice.””
Rachel shook her head.
“There is always a choice.””
Daniel suddenly grabbed his coat.
“I’m leaving.””
I stepped in front of him.
“No.””
He stopped.
“You can't keep me here.””
“I don't have to.””
I held up my phone.
“The bank knows about the unauthorized transfer.””
His expression changed.
“What?””
“They've frozen the account.””
He stared at me.
“You called the bank?””
“Yes.””
His breathing became shallow.
“Emily, you don't understand what you've done.””
“No.””
I looked at the folder.
“I think I finally understand.””
His eyes shifted toward the papers.
Then toward the front door.
Rachel noticed.
“What's he looking at?””
I turned.
A black SUV had stopped outside our house.
The headlights washed across the windows.
Someone got out.
Then another person.
Daniel went completely still.
I looked at him.
“Who is that?””
He didn't answer.
The doorbell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then three hard knocks.
Daniel whispered, “They're not supposed to be here.””
I reached for the doorknob.
He grabbed my arm.
“Don't.””
I pulled free.
“Why?””
May you like
His eyes were wide.
“Because they want the folder.””
