Chapter 4: The Signature
For several seconds after Daniel said Karen’s name, I couldn’t hear anything except the blood pounding in my ears.
I looked at my stepmother.
She wasn’t angry anymore.
She was scared.
Not the kind of scared someone gets when they’re caught in a lie.
The kind of scared someone gets when they realize the person they’ve been lying to has finally found the right piece of evidence.
“Daniel,” I said slowly, “what paperwork are you talking about?””
“There was a notarized document submitted four months ago,” he said.
“It states that you voluntarily relinquished your beneficial interest in the trust.””
“I never signed anything.””
“I know.””
“Then who signed it?””
Daniel hesitated.
I stared at Karen.
“Say it.””
Daniel sighed.
“The signature on the document is yours.””
My stomach dropped.
“What?””
“Your name is on it, Emily.””
I looked at my hands.
For a moment, the room seemed to tilt.
Karen took a step backward.
Dad whispered, “Oh God.””
I turned toward him.
“You knew?””
“No.””
“Did you know about the paperwork?””
“No.””
“Then why did Daniel just say Karen filed it?””
Dad looked at Karen.
She said nothing.
I held the phone tighter.
“Daniel, can you send me a copy?””
“I can email it.””
“Do it now.””
“I already sent it to the address listed on the trust.””
“That isn't my email.””
“I know.””
“Then where did you send it?””
Another pause.
“Your father’s email.””
I looked at Dad.
He went pale.
“Dad.””
“I didn't open it.””
“You didn't?””
“No.””
“You didn't see the document?””
“No.””
Karen suddenly said, “Michael, stop pretending.””
Dad looked at her.
“What?””
“You knew exactly what was happening.””
His face hardened.
“Karen, enough.””
She laughed bitterly.
“Now you want to act innocent?””
I stepped between them.
“What happened?””
Neither answered.
I pointed at Karen.
“You filed a document saying I gave up my inheritance.””
She shook her head.
“You don't understand.””
“Then explain it.””
“It wasn't supposed to be permanent.””
My mouth fell open.
“Not supposed to be permanent?””
“It was temporary.””
“You forged my signature temporarily?””
“I did not forge anything.””
“Then how did my signature get there?””
Karen looked at Dad.
He stared back at her.
That was when I understood.
She wasn't the only one hiding something.
I turned to my father.
“Did you sign something?””
He looked down.
“Emily…”
“Did you?””
“Yes.””
My chest tightened.
“What?””
“I signed a power-of-attorney document.””
“For what?””
“To manage the trust.””
I stared at him.
“You already had authority.””
“Not after the trustee change.””
“So you signed another document?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because Karen told me it was necessary.””
I closed my eyes.
There it was again.
Karen told him.
Dad signed.
And somehow, I paid the price.
Daniel was still on the phone.
“Emily, I strongly recommend that you don't confront anyone further until you have legal representation.””
I opened my eyes.
“Why?””
“Because the document claiming you surrendered your rights was used to justify several transactions.””
“What transactions?””
“Withdrawals.””
“How much?””
Daniel's voice became quiet.
“Approximately one hundred thirty-seven thousand dollars.””
I looked at the papers on the table.
The number matched.
Almost exactly.
I whispered, “My money.””
“Yes.””
Karen suddenly stepped forward.
“You're making this sound criminal.””
I turned toward her.
“Because it is.””
She slapped her hand against the table.
“You have no idea what you're talking about!””
“Then tell me why my signature is on a document I never signed.””
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Madison started crying.
“Mom.””
Karen spun around.
“Don't.””
“But I didn't know.””
“Madison, be quiet.””
“I didn't know it was hers.””
I stared at her.
“What wasn't yours?””
Madison covered her mouth.
Karen grabbed her arm.
“Go upstairs.””
“No.””
“Madison.””
“No!””
She pulled her arm free.
“I didn't know the money was from Emily.””
Karen went completely still.
Dad looked at his daughter.
“What money?””
Madison started crying harder.
“I thought Mom had saved it.””
I stepped closer.
“How much did she give you?””
Madison shook her head.
“I don't know.””
“You know.””
“I don't.””
“Then look at your bank account.””
She didn't move.
I took out my phone.
“I can call the bank.””
Karen stepped between us.
“Leave my daughter alone.””
“She's not your daughter when you need her to stay quiet?””
Karen's eyes flashed.
“Don't you dare.””
I turned to Madison.
“Where did the money go?””
She wiped her face.
“Some paid my tuition.””
“What else?””
“Some went toward the SUV.””
“How much?””
“I don't know.””
“Madison.””
She looked at Dad.
Then at Karen.
Then finally at me.
“About sixty thousand.””
The room went silent.
I felt my knees weaken.
Sixty thousand dollars.
Dad sat down.
Karen whispered, “Madison.””
“I didn't know!””
“You knew enough.””
“No, Mom! You told me it was money Grandpa left for me!””
My head snapped toward Karen.
“What?””
Karen's face went white.
Madison covered her mouth.
I looked at Dad.
“Grandpa left money for her?””
“No,” Dad said.
“No,” Daniel said through the phone.
The room seemed to shrink.
I looked at Karen.
“You told Madison my grandfather left money for her?””
Karen's lips trembled.
“I was trying to protect her.””
“From what?””
“From knowing the truth.””
“What truth?””
She looked at Dad.
Dad stood slowly.
“Karen.””
She began crying.
For the first time in all the years I had known her, I saw real tears on her face.
“I was trying to keep this family together.””
I almost laughed.
“You destroyed it.””
“No.””
“You stole from me.””
“I borrowed.””
“You forged my signature.””
“I didn't.””
“You took my inheritance.””
“I was going to put it back.””
“With what?””
She had no answer.
I picked up the folder.
“I’m leaving.””
Dad stepped toward me.
“Emily, please.””
“Don't.””
“I can fix this.””
“You should have fixed it four months ago.””
“I didn't know.””
“You knew enough to sign whatever she put in front of you.””
He flinched.
I walked toward the door.
Behind me, Karen said quietly,
“You're going to regret this.””
I stopped.
I turned.
“Why?””
She looked at me through tears.
“Because if you go to the police, you're not the only person who goes down.””
My father stared at her.
“Karen…”
She looked directly at him.
“You signed the documents, Michael.””
Dad's face drained of color.
I stared at my father.
“Which documents?””
He didn't answer.
Karen smiled through her tears.
And that was when I knew.
There was something even worse than the money.
Something my father had signed.
Something Karen had been waiting to use against him.
My phone was still connected to Daniel.
He suddenly said,
“Emily, whatever she just implied, don't leave the house with those documents.””
“Why?””
“Because I just checked the trust records.””
His voice went cold.
“The document changing the trustee wasn't signed by your father either.””
I looked at Dad.
“Then who signed it?””
Daniel answered:
“Someone used your father's identity.””
May you like
And behind me, Karen whispered,
“I told you this would happen.””
