“To prepare my house for sale.”
Vanessa began shaking her head.
“No. No, he told me Eleanor agreed to move.”
Daniel whispered, “Shut up.”
Every eye turned toward them.
Vanessa stared at her husband.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
“You said she agreed to the condo.”
Judge Mercer spoke.
“Mrs. Vance?”
I answered him.
“I never agreed to sell my home.”
Daniel’s voice rose.
“You can’t live there forever!”
And there it was.
Not concern.
Not confusion.
Ownership.
He had already decided my house was his future property.
I looked at Judge Mercer.
“My home is currently valued at approximately 1.8 million dollars.”
Even Curtis turned toward Daniel at that number.
“The savings and brokerage accounts they sought access to total approximately 2.4 million.”
Vanessa’s lips parted.
That surprised her too.
Daniel had apparently lied to everyone.
Different lies.
Different numbers.
Different promises.
I almost felt sorry for Curtis.
Almost.
Judge Mercer asked, “Why did you not report this earlier?”
“Because I wanted to know how far it went.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“Of course. She set a trap.”
“Yes.”
I faced him.
“I did.”
After the forged power of attorney appeared, I stopped confronting them.
I pretended
to be tired.
Confused.
I let Daniel believe I had misplaced bank statements.
I asked him the same question twice in one afternoon.
On purpose.
I left an old account summary in an unlocked desk drawer.
