Chapter 3 - MY HOUSE
Sarah stared at the forged signature.
The house outside Atlanta had been left to her by her grandmother two years before she married Jason. His name had never been on the deed.
That fact had caused more fights than Sarah could count.
Linda called it “disrespectful.”
Jason called it “a technicality.”
Sarah called it what it was.
The photograph showed a quitclaim deed transferring a half interest in the property to Jason Mitchell.
Her signature looked close enough to fool a stranger.
“I never signed this.”
Jason’s eyes flicked toward the front door.
Mark noticed. “Jason,” he said quietly, “what did you do?”
“Nothing.”
Sarah opened the document details.
Prepared by Raymond Cole, Attorney at Law.
“Your lawyer already drafted the protective order,” Sarah said. “And this deed.”
Linda crossed her arms. “A husband should have rights to the home he pays for.”
“He doesn’t pay for it.”
“He lives here.”
“So does Miles. Should I put him on the deed too?”
Jason’s voice hardened. “Stop.”
“No. You stop. You invited your entire family here so your mother could humiliate me until I snapped. You planned to use that to get me removed from my own house.”
“That’s not what happened.”
“It’s literally in your messages.”
Sarah lifted the phone.
“Come any closer and I send every screenshot to myself.”
That pause told her more than another confession could have.
“Don’t be stupid.”
For once, Jason listened.
Sarah’s own phone chimed on the kitchen counter.
Linda’s expression sharpened.
“You think a few texts save you?”
“What does that mean?”
Linda smiled, but there was no warmth in it.
“It means adults prepare for problems.”
“What did you prepare?”
Sarah looked through the glass.
Two sheriff’s deputies stood on the porch.
One held a folded set of papers.
The other rested a hand near his belt.
Jason whispered, “They’re early.”
Sarah heard him.
May you like
So did Mark.
And suddenly the forged deed was no longer the most frightening thing in the room.
