“I knew,” he said.
“How long?”
“Since Dad showed me the drawings.”
“And you never told me?”
“He asked me not to pressure you. Then he died. You were grieving. I thought you needed the house exactly as it was.”
“So did I.”
“I was wrong.”
We stood in the dusty attic, surrounded by the future Harold had imagined and the silence we had both mistaken for love.
Dex wiped his face.
“Petra found the plans when we stayed here. She thought they were renovation documents for increasing the value.”
“She knew about this?”
“I told her Dad wanted to help people here. She said it was sentimental.”
I folded the letter.
“Maybe it was.”
“No,” Dex said. “Maybe it was what this house was supposed to become.”
CHAPTER 4 – The Room Beyond the Door
The confrontation with Petra came three days later at Josephine’s office.
She arrived with Martin and Lenora. Her hair was pulled back tightly, and she carried no purse, no phone, and no folder. Without those things, she seemed unprepared for the room.
Josephine placed the evidence on the table.
“We are here to settle the property issue and determine whether further legal action is necessary.”
Petra sat across from me.
“I will sign whatever releases are required.”
“That is not enough,” Josephine said. “You will also provide written confirmation that you have no ownership interest in the property, no authority to contact brokers on Mrs. Vale’s behalf, and no claim that she consented to the documents you prepared.”
Petra nodded.
“I understand.”
“You will return every key and document.”
“I understand.”
“And you will not discuss Mrs. Vale’s health with financial institutions, care facilities, or third parties without her written permission.”
Petra’s hands tightened around each other.
“I understand.”
