Chapter 10: The Signature That Wasn't Mine
I stared at the document in Ryan’s hand.
My name was written at the bottom.
My signature.
My authorization.
My responsibility.
Except I had never seen that paper before in my life.
“No.””
The word came out before I even realized I had spoken.
Mark watched me carefully.
“That’s what I said too.””
Ryan looked between us.
“Rachel, explain.””
I looked at him.
The fear in his eyes hurt more than anger would have.
Because he wanted me to have an answer.
He wanted me to prove that the woman he loved was still the woman he believed she was.
“I can’t explain something I didn’t do.””
Mark leaned back.
“Convenient.””
I turned toward him.
“You spent years hiding information, and now you expect us to believe you?””
His expression tightened.
“I’m the one who brought the evidence.””
“No.””
Ryan interrupted.
“You brought a story.””
The room became silent.
Mark looked at him.
“What?””
“You showed me documents accusing Rachel. You didn’t tell me about Mom. You didn’t tell me about the arguments. You didn’t tell me why you were searching her house.””
Mark looked uncomfortable.
Ryan continued.
“You wanted me focused on my wife.””
That was when Mark’s confidence started disappearing.
But the document was still there.
Still real.
Still carrying my name.
Ryan picked it up.
“Where did this come from?””
Mark answered quickly.
“Your father’s files.””
“My father died three years ago.””
“Yes.””
“So how did this appear now?””
Mark hesitated.
That hesitation said more than words.
Ryan noticed.
“Answer me.””
Mark looked away.
“Because Diane kept it.””
“Why?””
Mark didn’t respond.
I stepped closer.
“Because she knew it wasn’t real.””
Everyone looked at me.
I pointed at the paper.
“This signature is wrong.””
Ryan frowned.
“What do you mean?””
I took the document.
“Look closely.””
He leaned closer.
“My signature has a small curve here.””
I pointed.
“This one is missing it.””
Mark shook his head.
“That proves nothing.””
“It proves someone copied my signature.””
Ryan looked at him.
“Who had access to her handwriting?””
Nobody spoke.
Then Ryan slowly turned toward the window.
His expression changed.
“Mom.””
I nodded.
But there was something else.
Something that bothered me.
“If Diane forged my signature, why would she let Mark bring this here?””
Ryan looked at me.
Because that was the question.
The question nobody had asked.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A woman’s voice came through.
Ryan’s face changed.
“Where?””
He listened.
Then looked at me.
“It’s my mother.””
My stomach dropped.
“What does she want?””
Ryan ended the call.
“She wants to meet.””
“Why?””
He looked at the document.
“Because she says she knows who forged your signature.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“Do you believe her?””
Ryan was silent.
Then he said:
“I don’t know who I believe anymore.””
That sentence hurt.
May you like
But I understood.
Because everything we trusted had been built on lies.
