Chapter 5 - His Mother’s Seal
Margaret was not a notary.
At least, not anymore.
Her commission had expired fourteen months earlier.
Charles sent the state registry record, then a scan of the guarantee. Margaret’s old seal had been stamped beside my forged signature anyway.
When she returned to the living room carrying her purse, I looked at her hands.
Perfect nails. Diamond ring. No shaking.
She still thought they were in control.
“Margaret,” I said. “When did your notary commission expire?”
Daniel closed his eyes.
That was answer enough.
Margaret stopped walking.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Fourteen months ago?”
Her face stiffened.
Daniel stepped between us. “Emily.”
“No. I’d like to hear her.”
Margaret put her purse down with exaggerated care. “I witnessed paperwork for my son. Families do that.”
“Did you witness me sign it?”
“You knew about the investment.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
She lifted her chin. “Your grandfather built wealth because he understood risk. Daniel is trying to do the same.”
“Using my trust.”
“Using family resources.”
I felt something inside me settle.
For weeks, I had wondered whether I was overreacting. Whether motherhood had made me too sensitive. Whether Daniel was right when he said I forgot things, exaggerated costs, misunderstood documents.
Now his mother was calmly explaining fraud as family teamwork.
The fog disappeared.
I glanced at the envelope on the table.
Five hundred dollars.
“Why that amount?” I asked.
Daniel frowned. “What?”
“Why did you choose five hundred?”
“Because it’s reasonable.”
“For a month with a baby?”
“You have everything you need here.”
“Medicine?”
“Call me.”
“Gas?”
“Call me.”
“Groceries?”
“Use the household account.”
“The one you froze?”
Silence.
I looked at Margaret. “And if I wanted to leave?”
Her eyes flicked toward Daniel.
It happened so quickly she probably thought I missed it.
I didn’t.
Daniel gave a small laugh. “Leave where?”
I stared at him.
He stared back.
Then my laptop chimed.
A new file had arrived from Charles.
May you like
Title: INTERNAL EMAIL - SUBJECT: KEEPING E.M. HOME.
Daniel lunged for the computer.
