That was the first thing he had done all evening that was entirely his own.
He was still my son. Still frightened. Still compromised. But he had finally put his body where his words should have been.
“Take them upstairs,” I said.
He nodded.
Lauren grabbed his sleeve. “Don’t you dare make me look like the villain in front of them.”
Michael pulled his arm free.
“You did that yourself.”
She slapped him.
The sound cracked across the dining room.
Michael did not move. A red mark appeared along his cheek.
Nora lifted her phone.
“I am calling the police.”
Lauren turned on her. “You are not recording me.”
“I am documenting what happened.”
“You participated in this.”
“I was given documents I believed were legitimate.”
“You knew exactly what you were doing.”
Nora’s expression hardened. “I have already sent copies of the deed and power of attorney to my office. They have timestamps. If those documents are fraudulent, I will cooperate fully.”
Lauren’s eyes moved to the folder.
For the first time, she looked trapped.
CHAPTER 2 – The Second Signature
Michael led the children upstairs. His footsteps were slow and deliberate, each one followed by the soft creak of the old staircase.
Lauren remained near the table.
Nora called the police from the foyer. I could hear her giving the address, then repeating the words forged deed and suspected fraud.
I stood with one hand on the back of my chair.
The torn deed lay in two pieces beside the cooling dessert.
“Give me the folder,” I said.
Lauren looked toward the staircase.
“She is going to take everything from us.”
“You did that.”
