Gordon placed the recorded deed on the table. Only one name appeared as owner—mine. My father’s estate had transferred the house to me years before I ever met Nathan. Then Gordon placed another document beside it: an agreement Nathan had signed declaring himself the lawful owner. Gordon explained that his clients had deposited money into escrow believing Nathan’s statement. After seeing the real deed, they were withdrawing immediately.

Susan pointed to something even more serious. Nathan’s declaration of ownership had been sworn. Nathan dismissed it as a formality and insisted I had agreed months earlier. Loretta quickly nodded beside him. “I never signed anything,” I said. Nathan’s voice suddenly softened. He claimed I had been exhausted and overwhelmed after having my daughter, so he had simply handled responsibilities I couldn’t manage. He wanted everyone to believe taking control of my house had somehow been an act of kindness.

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