Chapter 2: The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Family
Vanessa spent the next thirty seconds pretending that nothing unusual had happened.
It was almost impressive.
She straightened the red dress, picked up her handbag, and smoothed her hair.
Then she approached me with the same gentle expression she had worn during every hospital visit.
"Marcus, sweetheart, you're overwhelmed. This is probably temporary.""
"Temporary?""
"Your eyesight. The doctors said recovery could be unpredictable.""
I stared at her.
"That's what you're worried about?""
"I'm worried about you.""
"Then why were you kissing Adrian?""
Her mouth opened.
Adrian stepped between us.
"That's enough.""
I looked at him.
"You're right. It is enough.""
He pointed toward the wheelchair.
"You're making accusations without understanding the situation.""
"Then explain it.""
"Vanessa and I were discussing personal matters.""
"With your tongue in her mouth?""
His jaw tightened.
Vanessa grabbed his arm.
"Adrian, don't.""
I watched the exchange carefully.
They had practiced lying to me for months. But they hadn't practiced doing it in front of someone who could see their faces.
That was their mistake.
"Marcus," Vanessa said, "Adrian is my cousin. He's been helping us.""
"Your cousin?""
"Yes.""
"How long have you known him?""
"Years.""
"Interesting. I don't remember meeting him before the accident.""
She blinked.
"That's because you were always busy with work.""
I nodded slowly.
"Right.""
Adrian picked up his car keys.
"I'm leaving. This conversation is pointless.""
"Before you go," I said, "I'd like to know something.""
He stopped.
"What's that?""
"How much is my house worth?""
His eyes flickered toward Vanessa.
"Why?""
"Because you seem very interested in owning it.""
"Nobody wants your house.""
I glanced at the folder.
"Then why does that agreement transfer it to a company you mentioned in your messages?""
His face changed.
Vanessa immediately interrupted.
"You're misreading things. Adrian has been helping me with financial planning.""
"Financial planning?""
"Yes.""
"With a company called Aster Holdings?""
She said nothing.
I leaned forward.
"Who owns it?""
Adrian opened the front door.
"Vanessa, we're leaving.""
He walked out without another word.
My wife followed him.
At the doorway, she turned around.
"Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone.""
I almost laughed.
"You're worried about me doing something stupid?""
She slammed the door.
For several minutes, I remained still.
Rain continued tapping against the window.
The house was quiet again.
But it wasn't the same quiet I had known during those eight months.
Before, silence had meant loneliness.
Now it meant opportunity.
I reached for the small wooden cabinet beside my wheelchair. My fingers found the second drawer, then the leather notebook I had kept there since before the accident.
I opened it.
Inside were passwords, account numbers, names, and notes written in my own handwriting.
I had started keeping the notebook years ago after a business partner nearly cheated me out of a construction contract.
Vanessa had never known about it.
I found the number for Daniel Brooks, my personal attorney.
He answered on the fourth ring.
"Marcus?""
"Daniel.""
There was a pause.
"Good Lord. Vanessa told me you were still unable to see.""
"I was. Not anymore.""
"How much can you see?""
"Enough to read.""
"That's wonderful. Have you contacted your doctor?""
"Not yet. I need you to do something first.""
His voice became serious.
"Tell me.""
"Find out everything about Aster Holdings LLC.""
Silence.
"Why?""
"Because my wife is trying to transfer my house to them.""
"Did you sign anything?""
"No.""
"Good. Don't sign anything. Don't confront anyone until I understand what's happening.""
"Daniel, I think this is bigger than the house.""
"Why?""
I looked toward the coffee table.
The transfer agreement was still lying there, its pages stained with ink.
"Because they were talking about my bank accounts, too.""
Daniel exhaled.
"Marcus, listen carefully. I'm going to send someone to your house. Don't let Vanessa take any documents.""
"Understood.""
"And one more thing. When exactly did your vision return?""
"About half an hour ago.""
"Then don't tell anyone else.""
I looked toward the window.
"That might be difficult.""
"Why?""
"Because my wife is coming back.""
As if summoned by the words, I heard the front door open.
Vanessa entered carrying a paper bag.
"Sweetheart? I brought you lunch.""
Her voice was cheerful.
Too cheerful.
She walked toward me and placed the bag on the table.
"Chicken soup. Your favorite.""
I looked at the container.
Then at her.
"Thank you.""
She kissed my forehead.
I fought the urge to pull away.
"How are your eyes feeling?""
"Better.""
"Can you see me clearly?""
"Not completely.""
She nodded, visibly relieved.
"That's okay. We don't need to rush anything.""
She took the folder from the table.
"I'll handle these documents later.""
I watched her slide the papers into her handbag.
"Sure.""
She smiled.
"That's my good husband.""
Then she leaned down and kissed my cheek.
I could smell Adrian's cologne on her hair.
When she walked into the kitchen, I picked up my phone again.
Daniel was still on the line.
"Did you hear that?"" I whispered.
"Yes.""
"She thinks I'm still blind.""
"Then let her think that.""
I watched Vanessa open the refrigerator.
"Daniel, I need to know something.""
"What?""
"Can someone legally transfer my property without my signature?""
"Not without proper authority. But there are several ways someone could attempt it through forged documents, fraudulent power of attorney, or identity theft.""
I looked at the folder disappearing into Vanessa's handbag.
"Then I think we have a problem.""
Daniel lowered his voice.
"Marcus, I just accessed the preliminary property records.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"And?""
"There's already a pending transfer application.""
The room seemed to tilt.
"How?""
"Someone submitted a notarized authorization three weeks ago.""
"That's impossible.""
"Marcus, the document bears your signature.""
I stared at the kitchen doorway.
Vanessa was humming while preparing lunch.
May you like
Then Daniel said the words that changed everything.
"And according to the records, the person who notarized it was your wife's brother.""
