The Woman Who Slapped Me Had No Idea Who Owned the Hotel

I couldn't stop staring at the document.

Daniel Brooks.

My former husband's name sat beneath the witness declaration, directly beside the forged signature that supposedly belonged to me.

For several seconds, the room seemed to disappear.

Daniel had left me when I was seven months pregnant. He'd told me he wasn't ready to become a father, packed his clothes, and moved out of our apartment.

He hadn't attended Grace's birth.

He hadn't called when she was hospitalized for jaundice.

And now his name was attached to a document giving Gregory Hale control over my grandfather's property.

My father gently took the laptop from Emily.

"Danielle, are you certain that's Daniel's signature?""

I nodded.

"I've seen it thousands of times.""

Emily enlarged the document.

"The witness declaration indicates that both parties appeared before a notary.""

"That's impossible," I said.

"I never met that notary.""

My father looked at Emily.

"Find out who notarized this.""

"Already checking.""

I sat down.

Grace stirred against my chest, and I adjusted her blanket.

My father crouched beside me.

"Look at me, sweetheart.""

I did.

"Whatever Daniel has done, we will establish the facts. But you need to remember something. You are not responsible for someone else's dishonesty.""

I swallowed.

"I trusted him once.""

"I know.""

"I thought he was going to be Grace's father.""

My father's expression softened.

"He made his choices. That doesn't change your worth or Grace's.""

A knock interrupted us.

James entered carrying a tablet.

"Mr. Brooks, we've located Daniel.""

I looked up sharply.

"Where?""

"He's currently staying at the Sterling's sister property downtown. He checked in yesterday afternoon.""

My father frowned.

"Under what name?""

"His own.""

I felt my stomach tighten.

"He's here?""

James nodded.

"Apparently, he has a meeting scheduled with Gregory Hale tomorrow morning.""

My father stood.

"Find out who arranged the reservation.""

James checked the tablet.

"Mrs. Victoria Hale.""

I closed my eyes.

Of course.

Victoria hadn't been acting alone.

She had been planning something.

Emily placed another document on the desk.

"I've contacted the notary listed on the power of attorney. The commission number appears legitimate, but the signature verification is still pending.""

"Can we contact her?"" I asked.

Emily nodded.

"Yes. Her name is Patricia Coleman. She's based in the city.""

"Then I want to speak with her.""

My father looked at me carefully.

"Only if you're comfortable.""

I nodded.

"I need to know why my ex-husband's name is on a document I never signed.""

Emily arranged a secure video call.

A few minutes later, a woman appeared on the screen.

She looked to be in her late forties and wore reading glasses.

"Good afternoon. I'm Patricia Coleman.""

Emily introduced everyone.

Then she showed Patricia the document.

Patricia leaned toward her camera.

"Where did you obtain this?""

"It was submitted to the Brooks family trust attorney," Emily explained.

Patricia frowned.

"I recognize the format, but I don't recognize this notarization.""

My father asked, "Did you notarize a power of attorney for Danielle Brooks?""

"No.""

"Are you certain?""

Patricia removed her glasses.

"Mr. Brooks, I keep a digital journal of every notarized document. I never met Danielle Brooks, and I never witnessed her signature.""

I felt my pulse quicken.

"Then someone used your name?""

"That's what it appears to be.""

Patricia studied the document again.

"There's another issue. My commission number is correct, but the seal is from an older template. I stopped using that version eighteen months ago.""

Emily immediately began taking notes.

"Would you be willing to provide a written statement?""

"Absolutely. This is serious.""

The call ended.

My father looked at Emily.

"Preserve every version of those documents. Contact the trust attorney and tell him to freeze all activity involving the property.""

Emily nodded.

"Understood.""

Then my phone vibrated.

An unknown number.

I almost ignored it.

But the message made my hands go cold.

*Danielle, we need to talk. Don't let your father turn this into something ugly. I can explain everything. — Daniel*

I stared at the screen.

My father noticed.

"Is that him?""

I nodded.

"Don't answer yet.""

Another message arrived.

*I know about the hotel incident. Victoria told me. I think we can resolve this privately.*

I felt anger rising.

He knew.

He knew I'd been assaulted.

And instead of asking whether Grace and I were okay, he was worried about resolving a property dispute.

I typed a response.

*Why is your name on a power of attorney I never signed?*

Three dots appeared.

Then disappeared.

Then appeared again.

Finally, his response arrived.

*I was only trying to help.*

I laughed bitterly.

"Help?""

My father read the message.

"Let him explain that to the attorneys.""

But I wasn't finished.

I typed again.

*You haven't asked about Grace once.*

This time, his answer came immediately.

*Don't bring the baby into this.*

I stared at those words.

My daughter wasn't an inconvenience to be excluded from a conversation.

She was the reason I'd spent months rebuilding my life.

I put the phone down.

Then Emily received another notification.

She opened it and went silent.

"What is it?"" my father asked.

Emily turned the screen around.

It was an email from Gregory Hale to Daniel.

The subject line read:

*AFTER THE SIGNATURE IS ACCEPTED.*

The message contained only three sentences.

Once the trust accepts the authorization, the transfer can proceed. Make sure Danielle doesn't interfere. Victoria will handle the hotel situation.

My father read it twice.

Then he looked at me.

"That explains why Victoria wanted you out of the way.""

I felt sick.

They hadn't simply wanted a signature.

They had wanted control.

And when I unexpectedly appeared at the Grand Sterling, Victoria had recognized an opportunity to intimidate me before I could discover what was happening.

My father picked up his phone.

"James, contact the police liaison. We have evidence of suspected document forgery and attempted fraudulent property transfer.""

Then he turned to Emily.

"And arrange a meeting with Daniel.""

Emily nodded.

"Tomorrow?""

"No.""

My father glanced at me.

"Tonight.""

But before anyone could respond, another message appeared on my phone.

This one was from Daniel.

*If you want the truth, meet me alone at 8 p.m. I know what Victoria did to your grandfather's estate. And I know why she was so desperate to find you.*

I showed my father.

He read it.

Then he looked toward the window.

"She's hiding something.""

I whispered, "Who?""