Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO STOPPED APOLOGIZING
The next morning, I called a lawyer.
Her name was Evelyn Hart.
She specialized in family law and property disputes.
I brought the transfer agreement.
She examined it carefully.
“Did you sign this?”
“No.”
“Did you authorize anyone to sign on your behalf?”
“No.”
She nodded.
“Then we need to determine whether this document was actually filed or used in a transaction.”
I swallowed.
“What happens if it was?”
“We investigate. We preserve evidence. And we take appropriate legal steps to challenge it.”
I stared at the table.
“Can they take my father's cottage?”
“Not simply because someone produced a questionable signature.”
I exhaled.
For the first time in twenty-four hours, I felt a small amount of relief.
Then Evelyn asked:
“Do you have reason to believe your husband and sister benefited financially?”
I hesitated.
“Tom mentioned a holding company.”
She nodded.
“We'll obtain the relevant records.”
I looked down.
“There's something else.”
She waited.
“My husband had an affair with my sister.”
Her expression softened.
“I'm sorry.”
I swallowed.
“We have two children.”
“Then we'll make their stability a priority.”
I nodded.
Evelyn leaned forward.
“Claire, I want you to understand something.”
I looked up.
“You don't need to make every decision today.”
I stared at her.
“You can protect your interests now and decide what you want for your marriage separately.”
I began crying.
Not loudly.
Just quietly.
May you like
Because for the first time since the party, someone wasn't demanding that I forgive, explain, or calm down.
Someone was telling me I had choices.
