“Four years.”
“And Daniel?”
“Since he lost his job. Two years.”
“Did you invite them to stay?”
“Yes.”
“Did they ever ask you to sign anything?”
“Not directly.”
Helen looked at the ledgers. “They may have been preparing this for a long time.”
The front door opened.
Daniel’s voice carried through the hall. “Mom?”
Helen motioned for me to remain quiet.
Kristen entered first, her heels tapping against the floor. Daniel followed, still wearing the dark coat he used for work. He stopped when he saw Helen.
“What is she doing here?” Kristen asked.
I stood.
“I went to see her about the house.”
Daniel’s eyes dropped to the cedar box.
Kristen saw it too.
The color drained from her face so quickly that even she could not hide it.
“What house?” she asked.
“My house.”
Daniel flinched.
Helen closed the folder. “Your mother has found evidence of an attempted fraudulent transfer.”
Kristen laughed once, sharply. “That’s absurd.”
“Is it?” I asked.
She turned toward Daniel. “You told me she wouldn’t go through the papers.”
The room became very still.
Daniel looked at her.
Kristen’s hand rose to her mouth, but the damage had already been done.
I felt something inside me settle.
“Go on,” I said.
Daniel shook his head. “Mom, I didn’t know about any fraud.”
“You knew about the appraisal.”
“Yes.”
“You knew someone was trying to put your name on the deed.”
“I thought it was a legal agreement.”
“You thought I had signed away my house?”
His face collapsed.
Kristen stepped between us. “He was trying to protect the family.”
“From what?”
“From you.”
The words seemed to strike the walls.
Daniel turned toward her. “Kristen.”
“No, she should hear it.” Kristen’s voice grew louder, the pleasant warmth gone. “You refuse to make decisions. You sit in that armchair and act as if the whole world owes you obedience because your husband died. Daniel has sacrificed everything for you.”
I looked at my son.
“Is that what you told her?”
He swallowed. “I never said that.”
“You didn’t have to. You let her say it.”
His shoulders lowered.
Helen placed the printed transfer request on the table. “The document was filed through Northstar Home Solutions. Do you know that company?”
Kristen’s silence answered before Daniel did.
“I’ve heard of it,” he said.
Helen took out her phone. “The company’s registered director is Adrian Voss.”
Daniel’s face changed.
I knew the name. Adrian Voss had been at the house twice in the past year, introduced as a consultant who could help us “unlock the property’s value.” He had worn expensive glasses and spoken to me as if I were a child who had misplaced an important toy.
Kristen had served him wine.
Adrian had walked through the backyard for nearly an hour.
Helen opened another file. “He is also Kristen’s brother.”
Daniel looked at his wife.
She said nothing.
The silence between them was no longer private. It had become a wall with nowhere to hide.
