Chapter 3 - The Forged Trust
Jessica couldn't look Emily in the eye. She shifted her weight, staring down at her manicure while her fingers tugged nervously on her yellow dress.
"It... it was just a formality, Emily," Jessica muttered, her voice trembling. "You were deployed in Eastern Europe. The estate taxes were due, and the lake house needed repairs. Ryan handled it."
"Ryan handled it by forging my signature on a property trust document," Emily said, her voice dropping an octave. "Didn't he?"
The room fell into a heavy, uncomfortable silence. The relatives looked at each other, murmuring under their breath. Some turned away, pretending to inspect the artwork on the walls, while others leaned in, eager for the drama.
Ryan cleared his throat loudly, trying to assert dominance again. "It wasn't forgery! It was an emergency transfer of management! You were dark on communications for eight months! We thought... well, we didn't know if you were ever coming back!"
"So you decided to claim my home as your personal reward," Emily stated.
"We gave this place life!" Ryan snapped back, his voice rising as he saw the relatives watching. "We hosted charity dinners here! We invited investors! Do you know how bad it looks if you show up here dressed like a mercenary, throwing people around? You're ruining everything!"
"This house was built on my blood, sweat, and eleven years of active military service," Emily replied softly, stepping closer to Ryan. "Every timber, every stone, every tile."
Evelyn stepped between them, placing a firm hand on Emily's arm. "That's enough, Emily! You are being selfish. Your sister is pregnant, Ryan is working hard, and our family deserves a sanctuary. You have your military barracks. You don't need a five-bedroom luxury home all to yourself!"
"Pregnant?" Emily paused, looking at Jessica.
Jessica looked away, tears brimming in her eyes, but Ryan grinned triumphantly.
May you like
"That's right," Ryan boasted, putting an arm around Jessica. "We need this place for our child's future. And as the legal trustee of the Carter Family Estate, I am officially revoking your keycard access. Leave now, or I'm calling the local police for trespassing."
👉 Read Part 4 to discover the secret document hidden inside Emily's leather harness!
