Chapter 3 - THE HOUSE
The next document was a sales contract.
My parents' house on Willow Ridge.
Closing date: January 8.
Buyer: Redstone Development LLC.
The price was almost four hundred thousand dollars below market value.
"This isn't real."
Dad pointed to the signatures.
Mom's.
And mine.
"I never signed this."
Vanessa said, "Neither did I."
Margaret replied, "The seller's email was created using your phone number."
Vanessa looked at me.
"Ethan, we can discuss this privately."
Dad shut the folder.
"Privacy is what she used."
Vanessa's father, Richard, stood.
"Charles, enough."
Dad ignored him.
I asked, "Why didn't you tell me before today?"
"I tried. Check your blocked contacts."
Margaret's number was blocked on my phone.
I had not blocked it.
Then I found an email rule deleting everything from her law office.
My stomach tightened.
Vanessa had handled my phone settings for months.
"Why was Margaret blocked?"
"Maybe you forgot."
Dad pulled out a photograph.
Vanessa sat across from a man at a hotel restaurant.
The timestamp read 11:48 p.m.
I knew him.
Grant Holloway.
My financial manager.
I looked at Vanessa.
"What were you doing with Grant?"
Dad answered first.
May you like
I remembered every time Vanessa had taken my phone from my hand with a smile and said, "I'll fix it." I had called it helpful. Standing there, I wondered how many doors I had opened for her because trust felt easier than suspicion.
"That's what I wanted to know too."
