Chapter 8 - THE SIGNATURE THAT WASN'T HIS
Daniel’s father called his attorney from the hallway.
He returned seven minutes later.
His face looked older.
“The property was transferred.”
Daniel’s mother whispered.
“To whom?”
“Redwood Family Holdings.”
Jennifer immediately recognized the name.
The company attached to Chloe’s townhouse.
His father looked directly at Daniel.
“The deed carries my signature.”
Daniel said nothing.
“I never signed it.”
Chloe sat down hard.
Jennifer looked at Daniel.
“You forged your father’s signature?”
“It wasn’t like that.”
His father stepped toward him.
“Then explain exactly what it was like.”
Daniel’s voice rose.
“You said years ago I could do whatever I wanted with my share.”
“My share was on that deed too.”
“I needed clean title.”
“So you forged my name.”
Daniel slammed his palm against the table.
“I was fixing everything.”
Lily startled in the bassinet.
Jennifer immediately turned.
Her mother lifted the baby and soothed her.
Daniel saw what he had done.
His anger disappeared for a second.
Jennifer looked back at him.
“No more.”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Jen.”
“Do not call me that.”
His mother closed her eyes.
Jennifer continued.
“You drained our savings.”
“You borrowed against our home.”
“You used family charity money.”
“You forged your father’s name.”
“You funded a second household.”
“And somehow you’re standing here claiming you were fixing things.”
Daniel looked exhausted.
“You don’t understand the pressure I was under.”
Jennifer almost laughed.
“Whose pressure?”
“Chloe’s?”
Chloe stiffened.
Daniel pointed toward her.
“She kept needing more.”
Chloe stood.
“You offered.”
“You called me.”
“You came to every appointment.”
“You told me to leave my apartment because you were buying the townhouse.”
Daniel turned toward Jennifer.
“She was alone.”
Jennifer stared at him.
“So was I.”
He went quiet.
“I was pregnant too.”
“I was working full time.”
“I was building a nursery.”
“I was planning for Lily.”
“And every time I asked why you were distant, you told me I was hormonal.”
Daniel had no answer.
Jennifer’s voice remained calm.
“That is the part you still don’t understand.”
“The money matters.”
“The affair matters.”
“But you spent months making me question my own perception so you could keep both lives running.”
His mother whispered.
“Jennifer.”
Jennifer looked at her.
“I thought I was losing my mind.”
Daniel’s mother began crying quietly.
Jennifer had never intended to say that publicly.
But once spoken, it felt necessary.
Daniel looked toward the door.
“I’m leaving.”
Jennifer’s attorney appeared at the ballroom entrance.
Daniel stopped.
The timing was not accidental.
Jennifer had texted her during Chloe’s arrival.
Rachel Monroe walked into the ballroom carrying a slim black case.
She was forty-two, precise, and difficult to intimidate.
Daniel stared at her.
“Who are you?”
Rachel looked at Jennifer.
Then Daniel.
“Jennifer’s attorney.”
Daniel’s face hardened.
Rachel removed an envelope.
“And since you were planning to leave anyway, this saves us a trip.”
She handed it to him.
Daniel looked down.
PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE.
His mother covered her mouth.
Jennifer felt her heart pounding.
Not from fear.
From finality.
Daniel looked at her.
“You’re serving me here?”
Jennifer answered quietly.
“You planned this party as a performance.”
May you like
“I thought the ending should be honest.”
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