Chapter 2: The Signature on the Envelope
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
My mother's handwriting was unmistakable.
The way she crossed her capital E. The slight upward curve at the end of her surname. Even the little mark she always made after signing important documents.
I had watched her sign birthday cards, Christmas envelopes, and countless permission slips throughout my childhood.
But I had never seen this document before.
"Alexander," I whispered.
"What is this?""
He gently squeezed my hand.
"Let's take a look somewhere private.""
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Excuse me. What exactly is happening?""
Alexander glanced at her.
"Not here.""
"This is my mother's funeral.""
"And that's precisely why I won't discuss confidential legal matters in front of everyone.""
Vanessa's cheeks flushed.
Daniel moved closer to the envelope.
"Mr. Carter, perhaps there's been a misunderstanding.""
Alexander looked at him.
"Perhaps.""
His tone was calm, almost polite.
Somehow, that made Daniel look even more nervous.
My aunt Margaret approached us.
"Emily, sweetheart, do you want me to come with you?""
I nodded.
"Please.""
We moved into a small side room near the chapel's entrance. Alexander followed, carrying the flowers' empty wrapping paper, which he placed carefully on a table.
Vanessa and Daniel came behind us.
I turned toward my sister.
"Why are you following us?""
She folded her arms.
"Because this concerns our mother.""
Alexander placed the envelope on the table.
"Then you should probably listen.""
He opened it and removed several documents.
The first was a property transfer agreement.
The second was a financial authorization.
The third was a notarized statement.
I stared at the address printed across the top.
It was the mansion in Buckhead.
The same mansion Vanessa had been showing everyone on her phone.
My stomach tightened.
"What does Mom have to do with their house?""
Alexander pulled out a chair for me.
"Your mother owned a substantial investment property before she passed away. She also held an interest in several commercial developments.""
I looked at him.
"She never told me that.""
"She didn't want you worrying about money while she was receiving treatment.""
Margaret sat beside me.
"Your mother never liked discussing her finances. She always said money made people behave strangely.""
Alexander nodded.
"Unfortunately, she was right.""
He pointed to the document.
"Three months before her death, a company associated with Daniel Mitchell submitted a request to use your mother's property as collateral for a private business loan.""
I blinked.
"That makes no sense. Mom never owned the Buckhead mansion.""
"Correct," Alexander said.
"But she owned a commercial property that was used in the transaction.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"That's not how it happened.""
Alexander looked at him.
"Would you like to explain it?""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Your legal team is missing information.""
"Then this is an excellent opportunity to provide it.""
Vanessa grabbed Daniel's arm.
"Tell him.""
He didn't answer.
I looked at the documents again.
"Was Mom's property sold?""
"No," Alexander replied.
"The transaction was never properly completed.""
He turned another page.
"Someone submitted an authorization bearing your mother's signature. However, our forensic document examiner identified inconsistencies.""
My hands went cold.
"Are you saying someone forged her signature?""
"I'm saying the document appears to have been altered. We're still investigating who was responsible.""
Vanessa let out a sharp laugh.
"This is ridiculous. My mother would never have objected to helping us.""
I turned toward her.
"Did you ask her?""
Vanessa looked away.
"She knew Daniel was starting a business venture.""
"That's not what I asked.""
"Emily, don't start.""
Margaret stood.
"Let her answer.""
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"Mom loved me. She wanted me to have a comfortable life.""
"Your mother loved both her daughters," Margaret replied.
"That doesn't mean she gave you permission to use her property.""
Daniel finally spoke.
"Mr. Carter, I assure you everything was handled through the appropriate channels.""
Alexander removed another sheet.
"Interesting. Because the authorization was submitted using a power of attorney that your company claims was signed by Mrs. Bennett.""
My mother's maiden name.
I looked at the date.
She had been in the hospital that week.
Barely able to hold a cup of water.
"She couldn't even write her grocery list without help," I whispered.
Alexander's expression softened.
"Emily, I know.""
I looked up.
"How did you get involved in this?""
He hesitated.
"Your mother contacted my legal department shortly before her condition deteriorated. She had received information suggesting someone was attempting to transfer ownership of her investment property without her consent.""
"Why didn't she tell me?""
"She didn't want you confronting anyone while she was ill.""
My chest tightened.
Mom had been protecting me.
Even then.
Vanessa suddenly slammed her palm against the table.
"Enough! You're all acting like I'm some criminal.""
No one answered.
She turned to me.
"You've always wanted to make me look bad. First Daniel, now this.""
I stared at her.
"Daniel made his own decision. I never blamed you for his choices after I walked away.""
Her face twisted.
"Don't pretend you're innocent. You hated seeing me happy.""
I almost laughed.
"Happy? Vanessa, I haven't spoken about your marriage in two years.""
"Because you couldn't stand it!""
Daniel caught her elbow.
"Vanessa, stop.""
She jerked away.
"Don't tell me to stop!""
Alexander closed the folder.
"I think we've established enough for today.""
Daniel looked relieved.
Then Alexander added, "Our legal department will be contacting you tomorrow. Until then, I strongly advise you not to transfer, sell, or refinance any property connected to this transaction.""
Vanessa stared at him.
"You can't tell us what to do with our house.""
Alexander's voice remained even.
"I can tell you that the ownership of the collateral is being disputed. What you do with that information is your decision.""
He collected the documents.
I remained seated, staring at my mother's signature.
There was something else on the last page.
A handwritten note.
I recognized Mom's handwriting immediately.
It read:
If Emily is reading this, please tell her I tried to protect what was hers.
My eyes filled.
"What does that mean?""
Alexander looked at me.
"There's something else you need to know.""
He reached into the envelope and removed a smaller sealed letter.
"This was addressed to you. Your mother asked me to deliver it personally.""
I took it with trembling fingers.
On the front, she had written:
For my Emily. Only when she's ready.
I broke the seal.
May you like
The first sentence made my heart stop.
My darling girl, if Vanessa is standing beside you when you read this, then she has already taken more than I ever imagined.
