Chapter 2
Chapter 2
“Give me the paperwork,” I said. Darlene clutched her purse against her chest. “There is nothing you need to see.” I looked at Reed. “Then why are you trying so hard to stop me?”
Wesley finally stood up. “Mom, just give her the folder.” Darlene glared at him. Paige was already crying quietly beside him. Reed shook his head and said, “You’re all making this worse.”
Mr. Keene opened his leather folder again. “There’s something else Nora should know.” He pulled out several pages and placed them beside the lease. “Your husband has been collecting the difference in rent directly from me every month.”
I stared at the numbers. Six hundred dollars multiplied by sixty months. Thirty-six thousand dollars. Reed had taken thirty-six thousand dollars from our household without telling me, while making me believe our rent was $1,850.
“And the rest?” I asked. Mr. Keene hesitated. “He also asked me to keep the actual lease from you because he said you would cause problems.”
Reed stepped closer. “Nora, listen to me. I was going to tell you.” I laughed once, because the excuse sounded almost absurd. “When? After you spent my inheritance too?”
Darlene finally opened her purse. Inside was a thick envelope with bank statements, property papers, and handwritten notes. “The money was supposed to cover Wesley’s condo,” she whispered. “Reed said you had agreed.”
“I never agreed.”
The room went silent. Then Paige looked at Reed and said, “You told us the inheritance was already promised.” I turned toward him, my hands trembling. “So you lied to me, lied to your family, and stole thirty-six thousand dollars from me.”
Reed’s face went pale. I picked up my grandmother’s mug from the table and held it carefully. “You wanted my inheritance by noon,” I said. “But you forgot one thing.” I looked him directly in the eyes. “It was never yours to begin with.”
PART 3: Reed stared at me as if he had suddenly realized the woman standing across the table was no longer the wife who quietly accepted every explanation. “Nora, please,” he said. “We can fix this.” I shook my head. “You had five years to fix it.” Mr. Keene remained seated, watching silently as the truth finally caught up with everyone.
I opened the envelope Darlene had brought and began going through the papers. There were notes about Wesley’s condo, copies of payments, and a handwritten list of expenses. At the bottom was my name, followed by the words “inheritance—$118,000.” My stomach tightened when I saw the date beside it.
“That was written before I even received the money,” I said. Darlene looked down at the table. “Reed told me your grandmother’s house had already been sold.” I looked at my husband. “How did you know what the inheritance would be worth?” He didn't answer.
Wesley suddenly stepped forward. “Mom, what exactly did Reed promise you?” Darlene hesitated before saying, “He said Nora would transfer the money to me, and I would use it for your housing.” Paige covered her mouth. “But Reed told us Nora wanted to help.”
I looked at Paige. “Did you know about the rent?” She shook her head. “No. I thought you and Reed were paying the full amount.” Then she looked at Wesley. “And I thought the condo was being paid for with money from Reed’s savings.” Wesley looked embarrassed. “I believed him too.”
Mr. Keene cleared his throat. “There’s one more issue.” He pulled out another document. “Reed asked me six months ago whether I would sign a statement saying the rent had always been $1,850.” I felt my chest tighten. “Why would he need that?” Mr. Keene looked directly at Reed. “Because he was afraid Nora would eventually discover the difference.”
Reed slammed his hand against the table. “Enough!” The sound made Paige flinch. “I was trying to keep this family together.” I answered quietly, “You weren't keeping anything together. You were moving money around and hoping nobody would ask questions.” Reed looked at me, but for the first time, I didn't look away.
I took out my phone and opened my bank account. The $118,000 was still there. Every dollar of it. Reed saw the balance and his expression changed immediately. “Nora, don't do anything rash.” I almost smiled. “You mean don't protect myself?”
Darlene suddenly began crying. “I never meant for this to happen.” I looked at her and said, “Maybe you didn't plan the lie, but you accepted it.” Then I stood up and picked up my grandmother's photographs. “The money stays in my name.”
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Reed followed me into the hallway. “Where are you going?” he asked. I picked up my suitcase. “Somewhere you can't reach my money.” He grabbed my wrist, then immediately let go when Mr. Keene appeared behind him. “Don't touch her,” he warned.
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