Chapter 5: My Father's Signature
I couldn't stop staring at the document.
The house where I had grown up.
The house where my mother had taught me to ride a bicycle in the backyard.
The house where my father had held me after her funeral.
It was being transferred.
And my father's signature was on the paperwork.
"Is this legal?"" I asked.
Laura adjusted her glasses.
"That's what we need to establish. The document appears to have been submitted for processing, but there are questions about how the authorization was obtained.""
"Can Dad cancel it?""
"If he signed voluntarily, that's one situation. If his signature was forged or obtained through deception, that's another.""
Melissa leaned forward.
"Denise has done this before.""
Laura looked at her.
"Do you have evidence?""
Melissa shook her head.
"Not enough to prove it.""
I took a photograph of the document.
Then I called my father.
He answered while driving.
"Hi, sweetheart.""
"Dad, did you sign a document transferring the house to Denise?""
Silence.
Then he said, "Where did you hear that?""
"Please answer me.""
"I signed some paperwork.""
"What paperwork?""
"Denise said it was necessary for estate planning.""
My stomach dropped.
"Did you read it?""
"Ariana, I'm driving.""
"Did you read it?""
He sighed.
"I trusted her.""
I closed my eyes.
"That's not an answer.""
His voice became sharper.
"Your stepmother has been trying to help me organize things. I don't appreciate you questioning her intentions.""
"She transferred your money into her company!""
"She explained that.""
"What explanation?""
"She said it was a temporary business arrangement.""
I looked at Laura.
She shook her head.
I lowered my voice.
"Dad, listen to me. Don't sign anything else.""
"Why?""
"Because I think Denise is trying to take everything you own.""
He laughed bitterly.
"That's ridiculous.""
Then I heard Denise's voice in the background.
"Khalil, who is that?""
He covered the phone, but not quickly enough.
"Ariana.""
Denise spoke louder.
"Tell her we're busy.""
My father returned to the call.
"We'll discuss this after the wedding.""
"Dad—"
He hung up.
I sat motionless.
Melissa placed a hand on my shoulder.
"That's how she does it. She makes you feel like you're the problem for asking questions.""
Laura closed her laptop.
"We need the original recordings, the financial statements, and any messages showing the pressure being applied to you or your father.""
"I have everything.""
"Good. But don't confront Denise until we know exactly what she has filed.""
I nodded.
Then I asked, "What happens if the transfer goes through?""
Laura hesitated.
"Your father could lose control of the property.""
I stood.
"Then we have two days to stop it.""
That afternoon, I returned home.
The house smelled of fresh flowers and expensive perfume.
Wedding decorations were everywhere.
White roses covered the dining table. Boxes of favors lined the hallway. A massive seating chart leaned against the wall.
Tiffany stood in the kitchen wearing a silk robe, talking to a wedding planner.
She glanced at me.
"Oh. You're back.""
"I need to speak with Dad.""
"He's resting.""
"Where is he?""
She gave the wedding planner a polite smile.
"Could you give us a minute?""
The woman left.
Tiffany crossed her arms.
"What now?""
I placed the property document on the counter.
"Did you know Denise was transferring the house?""
Her eyes moved across the page.
Then she looked at me.
"Why are you going through private documents?""
"Because this is my father's home.""
"Not your house.""
"Did you know?""
She picked up a strawberry from the counter.
"Maybe you should ask your father.""
"He doesn't understand what he signed.""
Tiffany laughed.
"Then perhaps you should stop treating him like a helpless old man.""
I stepped closer.
"How much money does Denise owe?""
Her expression changed.
"What?""
"The company. How much?""
She threw the strawberry into the sink.
"You need help.""
"That's not an answer.""
"You're obsessed with me.""
"No. I'm trying to protect Dad.""
She leaned toward me.
"Then here's some advice. Stop protecting people who don't want your protection.""
I stared at her.
"Did Denise threaten you?""
Her face went still.
I continued.
"Melissa told me what happened four years ago.""
For the first time, Tiffany looked genuinely frightened.
"Where did you find her?""
"So you know who she is.""
Tiffany grabbed my arm.
"Listen to me carefully. You need to stay away from Melissa.""
"Why?""
"Because she ruins everything she touches.""
I pulled my arm free.
"Did Denise hurt her?""
Tiffany's eyes filled with tears.
But something was different this time.
These weren't the theatrical tears she used to manipulate Dad.
They looked real.
"Please, Ariana.""
I stepped back.
"What?""
She shook her head.
"Just leave it alone.""
"Why?""
Before she could answer, Denise walked into the kitchen.
Her face changed when she saw the document.
"What is that?""
I turned toward her.
"The property transfer.""
Denise picked it up.
Then she looked at Tiffany.
"You told me she didn't know.""
Tiffany went pale.
I heard every word.
Denise slowly put the paper down.
Then she turned toward me.
"You're making a terrible mistake.""
"Did Dad know he was signing over the house?""
"He signed voluntarily.""
"Did you explain that your company would benefit?""
Denise laughed.
"You're a child playing detective.""
"Then explain the company.""
Her smile disappeared.
"You have no idea how much your father owes me.""
I blinked.
"What?""
Denise walked closer.
"I spent two years helping him after your mother died. I managed this household. I helped his business. I supported his daughter.""
"By stealing his money?""
Her hand shot out and slapped the counter.
"Watch your mouth!""
Tiffany flinched.
That caught my attention.
Denise turned toward her.
"Go upstairs.""
"Mom—"
"Now!""
Tiffany hesitated, then left.
Denise waited until the footsteps disappeared.
Then she leaned toward me.
"Your father had debts long before he met me. I helped him. I protected him. And now you want to make me look like some criminal because you cannot accept that another woman took your mother's place.""
"Mom never stole from Dad.""
Denise's eyes narrowed.
"Your mother left him with problems you know nothing about.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"Don't talk about my mother.""
"Then stop bringing up the past.""
She picked up the property document and slid it into a drawer.
"The wedding will happen. Your father will sign the remaining papers. And you will stay out of it.""
I looked at her.
"What remaining papers?""
For a moment, Denise said nothing.
Then she smiled.
"The ones that will make sure Tiffany and Brandon start their marriage with the future they deserve.""
I walked away before she could see my hands shaking.
Upstairs, I found Tiffany sitting on the edge of her bed.
She was holding a framed photograph.
It showed her as a little girl standing between Denise and a man I didn't recognize.
When I entered, she quickly put it down.
"Get out.""
"Who is that man?""
She looked at the photograph.
"Someone who doesn't matter.""
"Is he your father?""
Tiffany didn't answer.
I studied the picture.
The man's face looked strangely familiar.
I had seen him before.
On one of the documents Melissa had shown us.
He was listed as the original owner of the company Denise had created.
"Tiffany," I whispered.
"Who is he?""
Her eyes filled again.
"My biological father.""
"Where is he?""
She stared at me.
Then she said something I never expected.
"He's dead.""
I swallowed.
"How?""
Tiffany covered her face.
"Mom said he abandoned us. But Melissa found something in the old company records.""
"What?""
Tiffany lowered her hands.
"He didn't abandon us, Ariana.""
Her voice broke.
"He was trying to report Denise when he died.""
Before I could respond, my phone vibrated.
A message from Laura.
*We found a second property transfer. This one involves Brandon's family.*
Then another message arrived.
*The wedding documents include a power-of-attorney agreement. If Brandon signs it, Denise could gain access to his family's business accounts.*
I looked at Tiffany.
She was staring at the floor.
"Does Brandon know?""
She shook her head.
May you like
And then, almost inaudibly, she whispered:
"Mom told me if I didn't marry him, she'd make sure I ended up just like my father.""
