Chapter 5 - The Power of AttorneyEthan called Rachel Kim, the family attorney, before sunrise.
She answered because Ethan had never called her at 4:30 a.m.
He sent the screenshot.
Rachel called back ten minutes later.
“That form is real.”
Olivia went still.
“What?”
“Your mother filed a power of attorney with your bank six weeks ago.”
“I never signed that.”
Rachel paused.
“Then we have a serious problem.”
The signature looked close.
Not perfect.
Close enough for a rushed clerk.
The document gave Diane broad authority over Olivia’s accounts if Olivia became “temporarily unable to manage her affairs due to pregnancy-related medical complications.”
Ethan felt cold.
Pregnancy-related complications.
Exactly what Diane’s schedule seemed designed to create.
Olivia whispered:
“She wouldn’t.”
Ethan did not answer.
Rachel said:
“We need to revoke it immediately.”
She prepared documents.
Then found something worse.
A second form.
A temporary guardianship preference for the baby.
If both Ethan and Olivia became unavailable after delivery, Diane was listed as first preferred guardian.
Again, Olivia’s signature.
Again, fake.
Ethan stared at his sleeping wife.
This was no longer about lazy relatives.
Someone was building legal access.
Money.
Medical control.
The baby.
Then Rachel found the filing date.
The day after Olivia’s twenty-eight-week appointment.
The same appointment where Dr. Patel warned that Olivia’s blood pressure needed monitoring.
Diane knew exactly what condition could make Olivia vulnerable.
Ethan whispered:
“She was waiting for Olivia to get sick.”
Rachel corrected him.
“Or making sure she looked sick enough.”
Ethan thought of the missing medication.
The endless chores.
The restricted rest.
Then the hospital nurse entered.
“Mr. Carter, your mother-in-law is downstairs.”
Olivia’s eyes opened.
“What?”
“She says she has documents showing she is authorized to make medical decisions for you.”
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Ethan stood.
Diane had brought the forged power of attorney to the hospital.
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