Chapter 5 - The Man Who Was Supposed to Be in London

Brooke stared at Dominic as if the dead had walked into the room.

"You're in London."

"Clearly not."

"Your calendar—"

"Was wrong on purpose."

Dominic crossed the kitchen and took the letter from Natalie's hand. He read three lines, then turned it over.

"Interesting."

Brooke found her voice. "Dominic, I can explain."

"Good. Start with my signature."

"You authorized consolidation last month."

"I authorized an audit of vacant properties. This house isn't vacant. And I did not sign this."

Natalie released a breath that sounded almost painful.

Brooke's gaze darted toward the hallway.

Dominic noticed.

"Don't run," he said.

"I'm not running."

"Then put the folder down."

She did not.

Dominic stepped closer. He didn't raise his voice. He never needed to.

"Put. It. Down."

The folder hit the table.

Noah moved toward Dominic, and Dominic knelt so the boy did not have to look up at him.

"You called me last night. You did the right thing."

Noah whispered, "Is Mom in trouble?"

"No."

"Are we losing the house?"

Dominic looked at Brooke before answering.

"No."

That single word broke something in Natalie. She turned away and covered her mouth.

Brooke's tone sharpened. "You are embarrassing me in front of staff."

Emma blinked. "That's what you're worried about?"

Brooke ignored her. "Dominic, this family has spent years rescuing Natalie. I was protecting our assets."

Natalie spun back. "Rescuing me? I buried my husband six months ago. I never asked you for a dime."

"You live in a Mercer property for free."

Dominic straightened.

"She lives in her property."

Brooke went still.

Natalie did too.

Dominic looked at his niece. "My mother didn't merely promise you the house. She transferred it into a trust for you twelve years ago."

Natalie's eyes filled. "What?"

"The deed activates when you turn thirty-five or become widowed, whichever comes first."

Brooke's face changed in a way no one missed.

Dominic saw it.

"You knew that," he said.

Brooke whispered, "No."

Dominic opened the folder again and found a notary page clipped behind the transfer document.

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The notary stamp was dated two days earlier.

The signature beside it belonged to a woman who had been dead for three years.