Chapter 4 - TWO DIFFERENT STORIES
“Because your wife says it is,” I told Michael. “And someone forged my signature to clear the loan.”
His breathing changed. “That's impossible.”
“I hope you're right. Meet me at Priya's office at eleven.”
He arrived thirty minutes late, without Jessica, wearing the rumpled blue shirt he'd had on at my birthday. He looked older than thirty-five.
Priya spread copies across her conference table. The original recorded deed of trust named me as lender. The new release bore a false notary acknowledgment. The pending sale listed a price of $1.4 million.
Michael stared at the sales contract. “I didn't sign that.”
“Did Jessica have access to your digital signature?” Priya asked.
“She handles the house files. The agent sent a form, but I told her to wait.”
“Do you have the message?”
He opened his phone. A text from Jessica read: I'll manage the closing. Stop letting your mother make us feel poor. Beneath it was his reply: Do what you have to do, but don't involve me in any fraud.
Priya's eyebrows rose. “That last sentence suggests you suspected something.”
Michael sat down hard. “She said it was a short-term refinance. Her design business is in trouble. We owe money.”
“How much?” I asked.
He studied his shoes. “A lot.”
For five years I'd praised him for buying a beautiful home while quietly making it possible. Now I was learning its marble steps stood on debt and secrecy.
Priya picked up the phone. “I'm sending a formal dispute to the title company and the lender. We'll seek emergency relief if needed. Nobody should close with a contested release.”
My son looked at me. “Mom, please don't destroy my marriage.”
“I'm not the one selling a house without its owners agreeing.”
His phone lit up. A photograph from Jessica: a bruise forming on her cheek. Under it she had typed, YOUR MOTHER IS DANGEROUS. I'VE TALKED TO A LAWYER.
Seconds later another message arrived, this one from the buyer's agent.
The buyers had wired their deposit. And the seller was demanding an early closing—tomorrow morning.
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