Chapter 4: The Document Hidden in My Wife's Drawer
"What's wrong?""
Nia asked the question too quickly.
I locked my phone.
"Nothing.""
She stared at me.
"Who was that?""
"My attorney.""
Diane exchanged a glance with her daughter.
It was brief.
But it told me more than either woman intended.
I stepped away from the breakfast table.
"I need to make a phone call.""
Nia followed me into the hallway.
"Marcus, wait.""
I stopped.
"What?""
She lowered her voice.
"Whatever Daniel told you, don't jump to conclusions.""
I looked at her.
"Why would I jump to conclusions?""
She swallowed.
"Because you're upset.""
"Should I not be?""
She reached for my hand.
I stepped back.
For the first time in seven years, my wife looked like she didn't know what to say to me.
"Marcus, I love you.""
I stared at her.
"Then why are you lying to me?""
She began crying.
"I haven't lied.""
I nodded toward the breakfast room.
"Then let's discuss the attorney.""
She looked away.
"Not now.""
I walked into my office and closed the door.
Daniel answered on the second ring.
"Marcus, listen carefully.""
"What document?""
"A property-related filing was submitted to the county recorder's office six days ago.""
"By whom?""
"Your wife.""
I gripped the edge of my desk.
"What did she file?""
"A document claiming that Diane has an equitable interest in the property based on substantial financial contributions and an agreement between the parties.""
I stared at the wall.
"That's ridiculous. Diane hasn't paid a mortgage payment in her life.""
"That's why I need you to see the document.""
"Can she do that?""
"Anyone can submit a claim. That doesn't mean it's valid. But we need to understand what evidence she attached.""
I lowered my voice.
"Did she forge my signature?""
There was a pause.
"Marcus, that's one of the things we're investigating.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"Send me everything.""
"I already have. There's another problem.""
"What?""
"The document includes a copy of a signed statement supposedly written by Evelyn.""
I went still.
"My mother?""
"Yes. It says she voluntarily agreed to vacate the property and transfer her personal interest in the household arrangements to Diane.""
I almost laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because I couldn't believe how far they had gone.
"My mother doesn't own any part of this property.""
"I know. But the document could be used to support their argument that Diane was invited to occupy the house under an agreement.""
I closed my eyes.
"Daniel, I need you to find out who prepared this.""
"I will.""
After the call, I sat motionless for several minutes.
Then I heard a drawer slam outside.
I opened my office door.
Nia was standing near the hallway cabinet.
She quickly pushed a folder into the drawer.
"What are you doing?""
She jumped.
"Nothing.""
I looked at the cabinet.
"What's in there?""
"Household papers.""
"Let me see.""
She placed one hand on the drawer.
"Marcus, don't.""
I looked at her.
"Move.""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Please.""
That single word told me I was close to something.
I opened the drawer.
Inside were utility bills, insurance papers, and several folders.
I recognized the house deed.
I also recognized a document from the county recorder.
I pulled it out.
The title read:
*AFFIDAVIT OF FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION AND EQUITABLE PROPERTY INTEREST.*
My heart began pounding.
I turned the first page.
There was my name.
My address.
And a signature that looked almost exactly like mine.
Almost.
I studied it.
The final letter of my surname had been written differently.
I knew because I had signed thousands of business documents over the years.
This wasn't my signature.
"Who signed this?""
Nia said nothing.
I looked at her.
"Did you sign my name?""
She shook her head.
"Marcus, I can explain.""
"Did you sign my name?""
"I was trying to help my mother.""
I felt my hands begin to shake.
"That's not an answer.""
She started crying.
"Mom was afraid she'd have nowhere to go.""
"So you forged my signature?""
"I didn't think it would become a problem.""
I stared at her.
"You didn't think forging my signature would become a problem?""
She covered her face.
"It was only meant to be temporary.""
I looked down at the paperwork.
There were several attachments.
One was a bank transfer receipt.
Another was a handwritten agreement.
And the last was a photograph of a document bearing my mother's name.
I pulled it free.
It contained a statement claiming Evelyn had received $45,000 from Diane to support her residence in the house.
My mother had never received that money.
I knew because she had shown me every bank statement.
I looked at Nia.
"Where did this forty-five thousand dollars go?""
She wiped her face.
"Mom paid for renovations.""
"What renovations?""
"The downstairs bathroom.""
I stared at her.
"The bathroom I paid the contractor to remodel?""
She didn't answer.
I grabbed my phone and called the contractor.
"James, I need to ask you something.""
He answered cheerfully.
"Marcus! Everything okay?""
"Do you remember the downstairs bathroom renovation?""
"Of course. Beautiful job.""
"Who paid the invoice?""
"You did. We sent the invoice to your business email.""
I looked at Nia.
"Did anyone else pay you?""
There was a pause.
"Actually, your wife called me last month. She asked whether we could issue a second invoice showing an additional payment from her mother's account.""
My blood ran cold.
"What?""
"She said it was for family accounting. I told her I couldn't do that because the original invoice had already been paid.""
I ended the call.
Nia was crying harder now.
"Marcus, please listen.""
I placed the paperwork on the cabinet.
"You used my signature.""
She nodded.
"You used my mother's name.""
She looked down.
"You invented a payment that never happened.""
"Mom said it was necessary.""
I stared at her.
"Your mother told you to do this?""
Nia didn't answer.
A door opened behind us.
Diane emerged from the downstairs bedroom.
She was holding her phone.
"What is going on?""
I lifted the document.
"Did you pay forty-five thousand dollars toward this house?""
Diane looked at Nia.
Then at me.
"Of course.""
"Show me the transfer.""
She folded her arms.
"I don't have to prove anything to you.""
I nodded.
"That's interesting.""
I placed the document on the cabinet.
"Because my attorney will be asking you the same question.""
Diane's expression changed.
"Your attorney?""
"Yes.""
She looked at Nia.
"Did you tell him?""
Nia began sobbing.
Diane suddenly turned toward me.
"Marcus, this is a misunderstanding.""
I stared at her.
"You told my mother she owed your family money. You convinced my wife to forge my signature. And you submitted a false property claim.""
Diane raised her chin.
"Watch your accusations.""
I took a step closer.
"Then explain the forty-five thousand dollars.""
She looked away.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then she said something I would never forget.
"Your mother has money. We simply wanted to make sure she couldn't leave with everything.""
I stared at her.
"What does that mean?""
Diane looked directly at me.
"It means Evelyn has been hiding something from you.""
I felt a chill move through my body.
"Like what?""
She smiled faintly.
And for the first time, I realized she wasn't frightened of the legal documents.
May you like
She was frightened of something else.
Something my mother had never told me.
Related Stories
