Chapter 4: The House That Was Never Really Ours
“Your mother transferred our house into your name?””
I stared at Daniel, waiting for him to tell me I'd misunderstood.
He looked exhausted.
“Sarah, please let me explain.””
“Then explain.””
Patricia wiped her cheeks and stepped forward.
“This house was originally purchased with money from my family. Your father-in-law and I worked for years to build our assets. When he passed away, I allowed Daniel to use the property.””
I frowned.
“Allowed him? Daniel told me he bought this house before we got married.””
Daniel looked at the floor.
My stomach tightened.
“Was that a lie?””
“It's complicated,” he muttered.
My father remained beside the security monitor.
“Then let's make it simple. Who legally owns the property?””
Patricia lifted her chin.
“Daniel does. I transferred it to him.””
Detective Miller opened his notebook.
“When?””
“Six months ago.””
“Was Sarah informed?””
Patricia laughed.
“Why would I inform her? It's my family's property.””
Dad's expression remained calm.
“Was there a mortgage?””
Patricia hesitated.
“Yes.””
“Was it disclosed to Daniel before the transfer?””
“Of course.””
Miller looked at Daniel.
“Do you have copies of the deed and transfer documents?””
Daniel nodded reluctantly.
“They're in my office.””
My father looked at him.
“Bring them.””
Daniel didn't move.
Patricia grabbed his arm.
“Don't let them intimidate you. This is our family business.””
“Mom, stop.””
“No! Your wife has been manipulating you since the day you married her. Now she's brought her father here to steal our property!””
I almost laughed.
“You planted an $18,000 necklace in my handbag, slapped me, and accused me of theft. And somehow I'm the manipulator?””
Patricia pointed at me.
“You should be grateful we let you live here!””
My father stepped forward.
“Enough.””
He didn't shout.
He didn't need to.
“Sarah is leaving this house tonight if she chooses to. Nobody here has the right to threaten her, touch her, or force her to sign anything.””
I looked at him.
“Dad, I don't want to leave without knowing the truth.””
He nodded.
“Then we'll find it.””
Daniel finally walked toward his office.
Miller followed him, explaining that the documents should be preserved without alteration.
A few minutes later, Daniel returned carrying a thick blue folder.
He placed it on the coffee table.
My father didn't touch it.
“Open it yourself.””
Daniel removed several papers.
The first was a property deed.
The second was a transfer agreement.
The third was a document with my signature.
I stopped breathing.
“That isn't my signature.””
Daniel looked at me.
“What?””
I picked up the page.
My name appeared beneath a paragraph stating that I acknowledged the property transfer and waived any claim arising from marital contributions.
But I had never signed it.
“I've never seen this document.””
Patricia crossed her arms.
“Don't pretend. You signed it at the family office.””
“I have never been to your family office!””
Daniel looked between us.
“Mom, you said she signed everything.””
Patricia's expression shifted.
For the first time, she looked genuinely uncertain.
“I saw the paperwork. Everything was handled.””
My father examined the page without removing it from the table.
“James, photograph this document. We'll have the signature independently examined.””
Miller nodded.
Daniel sank onto the sofa.
“Mom, what did you do?””
Patricia suddenly became angry.
“Don't turn against me! I did this for you!””
“For me?””
“Yes! The company needed money. The house was collateral. Everything was supposed to be temporary.””
My father looked up.
“Collateral for what?””
Patricia pressed her lips together.
Daniel answered.
“An investment loan.””
“How much?””
“Eight hundred thousand dollars.””
The room went silent.
I stared at him.
“Eight hundred thousand?””
He nodded.
“The company was expanding. We needed capital.””
“And you used this house?””
“My mother arranged it.””
“Did you use my name?””
He didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
My father leaned toward the paperwork.
“Daniel, did you knowingly submit a document bearing Sarah's forged signature to obtain that loan?””
Daniel's face turned pale.
“I didn't sign it.””
“That's not what I asked.””
Patricia suddenly snatched the document from the table.
“Stop interrogating my son!””
Miller stood immediately.
“Put the document down, ma'am.””
She hesitated.
Then she dropped it.
My father looked at her.
“Where did you obtain Sarah's signature?””
Patricia's mouth opened.
No words came out.
I remembered something.
Six months earlier, she'd asked me to send her a photograph of my driver's license because she claimed she needed it for a family insurance policy.
I'd sent it.
I'd trusted her.
My hands began trembling.
“Did you use my identification?””
Patricia stared at me.
Daniel looked horrified.
“Mom?””
Before she could answer, Miller's phone rang.
He stepped into the hallway.
A moment later, he returned.
“Colonel, there's another issue.””
My father looked at him.
“What is it?””
“The property transfer was recorded six months ago, but the loan application was submitted only three weeks afterward.””
He paused.
“Someone also filed a separate request to access Sarah's financial trust.””
I felt cold.
“Who filed it?””
Miller looked at the document.
“An attorney representing a company called Reed Capital Holdings.””
My father slowly closed his eyes.
Then he opened them.
“Marcus.””
May you like
And suddenly, the man from his past wasn't just visiting my home.
He was trying to take control of my future.
