Chapter 11 - The Deed That Shouldn't Exist
Kendra drove away before Preston could stop her.
He stood near the gate, staring after the SUV.
I walked toward him.
"Go check on your family."
He turned.
"Mom, I'm sorry."
"I know."
But I also knew apologies couldn't undo what had already happened.
Within minutes, I called Marisol.
I repeated Kendra's warning.
Marisol immediately checked the county's available property records.
For several minutes, I listened to the clicking of her keyboard.
Then she became silent.
"Marisol?"
"I'm looking at something unusual."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
"A document was recently recorded that appears to transfer your villa into Hale Family Holdings."
I gripped the phone.
"That's impossible."
"It may be fraudulent. We need the complete instrument and recording details."
"Does that mean they own my house?"
"Not necessarily. Recording a document doesn't make a forged transfer valid. But we need to act quickly to prevent complications."
I sat down.
The sun was shining.
Birds were singing in the lemon trees.
And somewhere in a government office, a document existed claiming that I had given away the home I loved.
Marisol continued.
"Evelyn, did you appear before a notary to sign any property transfer?"
"No."
"Did you authorize anyone to sign for you?"
"Absolutely not."
"Then we're going to challenge this."
She explained the next steps.
We would obtain the recorded document, notify the proper authorities, alert relevant parties, and seek court protection against further attempts to transfer or encumber the property.
I listened carefully.
I had spent my whole life being financially responsible.
Now I had to defend myself against people who had learned how to imitate responsibility on paper.
That afternoon, Preston returned with Marisol's permission.
He brought copies of emails and text messages from Richard.
We met in my attorney's office.
Preston looked nervous.
"I didn't know they actually filed anything."
Marisol asked him to explain what he had known.
He admitted that Kendra had prepared financial paperwork.
He admitted that Richard had promised to arrange a property transfer.
And he admitted that he had allowed them to describe me as confused, despite knowing I was capable of managing my affairs.
I watched him struggle with each admission.
It would have been easy for me to comfort him.
But this time, I didn't rescue him from the consequences of his decisions.
Marisol asked whether he would provide the information to investigators.
Preston hesitated.
"Will I get in trouble?"
She answered carefully.
"You should obtain independent legal advice. But you need to tell your own attorney the full truth."
Preston looked at me.
I held his gaze.
"You're thirty-five years old, Preston. It's time to stop asking other people to decide what's right for you."
He nodded.
"I will."
Later that evening, Marisol received the complete recorded deed.
She studied the document for nearly twenty minutes.
Then she called me.
"Evelyn, the signature isn't our only concern."
"What else?"
"The notarization contains information that doesn't match the notary's actual records."
I felt my pulse quicken.
"Does that help us?"
"Potentially, very much."
She paused.
"And there's another detail."
I held my breath.
"The name of the person who supposedly witnessed your signature is someone you know."
"Who?"
May you like
Marisol's voice became quiet.
"Your former husband, Richard Hale."
