Chapter 7: The Man My Mother Chose
For almost a minute, Rachel and I stared at the photograph on my phone.
The document was unmistakably an amendment to my mother's will.
It had been signed three days before her death, witnessed by two individuals, and stamped by a law firm in Atlanta.
But the name at the bottom was the part that made no sense.
Daniel Reeves.
The competition director.
The man who had watched my stepsister accept a scholarship for a dress she hadn't designed.
Rachel slowly removed her glasses.
"Emily, I need you to understand something. If this document is authentic, your father may have been managing your mother's estate without having the legal authority to do so.""
"Then why did he tell everyone he was the executor?""
"That's what we're going to find out.""
She enlarged the photograph.
The document contained a handwritten address for Daniel's former law office.
Rachel called the number listed in the public directory.
After several minutes, someone answered.
"Reeves Legal.""
Rachel introduced herself and explained that she represented Emily Carter.
There was a pause.
Then a woman's voice responded.
"Mr. Reeves has been expecting this call for seven years.""
Rachel looked at me.
"What did you say?""
The receptionist repeated herself.
"Mr. Reeves left instructions that if Emily Carter ever contacted the office regarding Margaret Carter's estate, he was to be notified immediately.""
My heart began racing.
"Can I speak to him?""
The receptionist transferred the call.
A few seconds later, a familiar voice came through the speaker.
"Emily?""
I recognized it immediately.
Daniel Reeves.
The competition director.
"Yes," I whispered.
He was silent.
Then he said, "Your mother was right. You would eventually find the documents.""
I gripped the phone.
"You knew my mother?""
"Very well.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because your father had convinced the court that he was your mother's authorized executor. I spent years trying to challenge the arrangement, but I needed the original amendment.""
Rachel interrupted.
"Mr. Reeves, do you have a certified copy?""
"I do. And I have something else.""
"What?""
"Your mother's original letter explaining why she removed Robert from the estate.""
He paused.
"Emily, can you come to my office tomorrow morning?""
I agreed.
Before ending the call, I asked one question.
"Why did you become the director of the fashion competition?""
Daniel took a long breath.
"Because your mother helped establish its original scholarship program. She wanted young designers from ordinary families to have opportunities she never had.""
I felt my throat tighten.
"She helped create it?""
"She donated the first significant scholarship fund. The competition's original records still contain her name.""
I remembered Brianna standing beneath the spotlights, claiming the gown represented her family's memories.
My mother had helped create the very opportunity Brianna had stolen from me.
The irony was almost unbearable.
The next morning, Rachel and I arrived at Daniel's office shortly after nine.
He greeted us personally.
He looked older than he had at the competition, and the usual professional smile was gone.
He placed a thick envelope on the desk.
"Your mother came here on March 11, seven years ago.""
I stared at the date.
Three days before the date of the amendment.
"She was already sick?""
"Yes. But she was still thinking clearly. She brought these documents and asked me to witness her final instructions.""
Rachel examined the envelope.
"Why wasn't the amendment filed with the probate court?""
Daniel looked down.
"Because Robert filed a competing document before I could submit the original.""
"How?""
"He presented a later amendment supposedly signed by Margaret.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"Another forged signature?""
Daniel nodded.
"Your father claimed your mother had changed her mind. He produced a document appointing him executor and giving him authority over the trust.""
Rachel leaned forward.
"Did you challenge it?""
"Immediately. But the original witnesses were difficult to locate, and the hospital records were incomplete. Robert also produced a medical statement suggesting Margaret had been confused near the end of her life.""
My hands curled into fists.
"My mother wasn't confused.""
Daniel met my eyes.
"I know.""
He opened the envelope.
Inside was the original amendment, a certified witness statement, and a letter written in my mother's handwriting.
Rachel read the legal document first.
Then she looked up.
"This is validly executed.""
Daniel nodded.
"Your mother appointed me as independent executor. She also appointed an independent trust administrator to protect Emily's inheritance.""
I looked at the letter.
"Can I read it?""
He handed it to me.
Daniel,
If you are reading this without me beside you, then Robert has probably discovered that I intend to remove him from control of Emily's inheritance.
I don't hate him. I once loved him. But I no longer trust the decisions he makes when money is involved.
I discovered that he and Vanessa have been using funds from my business and the trust without authorization.
I am especially worried about Emily. She believes her father will always protect her. I don't want her to lose that belief because of something I failed to prevent.
I stopped reading.
My eyes filled with tears.
Rachel gently placed a hand on the desk.
"Take your time.""
I continued.
If Emily ever creates something with her own hands, I want her to understand that nobody has the right to claim her work simply because they share a home with her.
The lace, the sewing machines, the studio, and the rights to my original patterns belong to her.
Please protect her until she is old enough to protect herself.
I lowered the letter.
My mother had known.
She had known what Dad was doing.
And she had tried to protect me before she died.
Daniel opened another folder.
"There is one more thing you should see.""
He placed a photograph on the desk.
It showed my mother standing beside a woman outside the hospital.
I recognized Vanessa.
But this photograph had been taken seven years earlier, during the week Mom died.
On the back, someone had written:
March 12. Vanessa agrees to cooperate.
I looked at Daniel.
"What does that mean?""
He hesitated.
"Your mother believed Vanessa was willing to testify against Robert. She thought Vanessa would help expose the unauthorized transfers.""
"Then why did she marry him?""
Daniel's expression darkened.
"Because three days after your mother died, Vanessa withdrew her cooperation.""
Rachel leaned forward.
"Did she give a reason?""
Daniel opened the final document.
It was a statement signed by Vanessa.
And beside her signature was a payment receipt for $75,000.
I stared at it.
"She was paid to stay quiet?""
Daniel nodded.
"Apparently.""
I felt the room spin.
Then Rachel noticed a handwritten note beneath the receipt.
She read it twice.
"Emily, look at this.""
The note contained one sentence.
Robert promised the remaining money would be transferred once the girl turned eighteen.
I looked up.
"Which girl?""
Daniel didn't answer.
Rachel turned the receipt over.
May you like
There was a second name written on the back.
Brianna Carter.
