Chapter 5: The Son Who Owned My## Chapter 5: The Son Who Owned My Mother's House
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
E Mother's House
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
Ethan Reed.
Vanessa's son.
The same Ethan who had sat beside me on the patio andthan Reed.
Vanessa's son.
The same Ethan who had sat beside me on the patio and admitted that his mother behaved differently when my father wasn't around. admitted that his mother behaved differently when my father wasn't around. The same Ethan who had warned me that Vanessa was hiding something about the house.
The same Ethan who had told me to ask Dad whose name was on the property records.
His name was printed on the document in black ink The same Ethan who had warned me that Vanessa was hiding something about the house.
The same Ethan who had told me to ask Dad whose name was on the property records.
His name was printed on the document in black ink.
I read it again, hoping exhaustion had made me misread the letters.
It hadn't.
“Dad,” I.
I read it again, hoping exhaustion had made me misread the letters.
It hadn't.
“Dad,” I whispered into the phone, “Ethan bought Mom's house?””
“I don't know if he knew what he was buying.””
“But his whispered into the phone, “Ethan bought Mom's house?””
“I don't know if he knew what he was buying.””
“But his name is on the transfer.””
“I know.””
“How much did he pay?””
“I don't remember the exact amount. Vanessa handled most of name is on the transfer.””
“I know.””
“How much did he pay?””
“I don't remember the exact amount. Vanessa handled most of the paperwork.””
I stared at the document.
“Did you receive the money?””
My father didn't answer.
“Dad?””
“No, sweetheart the paperwork.””
I stared at the document.
“Did you receive the money?””
My father didn't answer.
“Dad?””
“No, sweetheart. I never received any money.””
My knees weakened.
“Then where did it go?””
“I don't know.””
The words sounded almost. I never received any money.””
My knees weakened.
“Then where did it go?””
“I don't know.””
The words sounded almost unbearable coming from him.
My father had allowed a property intended to protect his daughter to disappear without knowing where the proceeds had unbearable coming from him.
My father had allowed a property intended to protect his daughter to disappear without knowing where the proceeds had gone.
And now, ten years later, he was still trying to convince himself that ignorance had been the same thing as innocence.
“ gone.
And now, ten years later, he was still trying to convince himself that ignorance had been the same thing as innocence.
“I'm bringing these documents to a lawyer,” I said.
“Nia, please be careful. We don't know the whole story.””
“That's exactlyI'm bringing these documents to a lawyer,” I said.
“Nia, please be careful. We don't know the whole story.””
“That's exactly why I'm going.””
I ended the call and began photographing every page.
I took pictures of the trust agreement, the property transfer, why I'm going.””
I ended the call and began photographing every page.
I took pictures of the trust agreement, the property transfer, the attorney's letter, and the signature lines. Then I placed everything back in the folder.
Before leaving, I checked the remaining the attorney's letter, and the signature lines. Then I placed everything back in the folder.
Before leaving, I checked the remaining boxes.
In a small wooden jewelry box, I found a sealed envelope addressed to me.
My name was written in my mother's handwriting.
**For boxes.
In a small wooden jewelry box, I found a sealed envelope addressed to me.
My name was written in my mother's handwriting.
*For Nia, when she's old enough to understand.*
My hands trembled as I opened it.
Inside was a folded letter.
My sweet girl,
If Nia, when she's old enough to understand.*
My hands trembled as I opened it.
Inside was a folded letter.
My sweet girl,
If you're reading this, something may have happened that kept me from explaining everything myself.
The little blue house is more than a building. you're reading this, something may have happened that kept me from explaining everything myself.
The little blue house is more than a building. It is where your grandmother raised me, where I learned that a woman should always have somewhere safe to stand, and where It is where your grandmother raised me, where I learned that a woman should always have somewhere safe to stand, and where I brought you home from the hospital.
I've made arrangements so that you will always have a place to begin again I brought you home from the hospital.
I've made arrangements so that you will always have a place to begin again, no matter what life takes from you.
Your father knows about the arrangements. I've asked him to protect them, but please remember that even good, no matter what life takes from you.
Your father knows about the arrangements. I've asked him to protect them, but please remember that even good people can make mistakes when they're frightened or overwhelmed.
If you ever discover that something isn't right, don't let anyone convince you that asking questions makes you ungrateful.
You are allowed to ask.
You are allowed to know.
And you are people can make mistakes when they're frightened or overwhelmed.
If you ever discover that something isn't right, don't let anyone convince you that asking questions makes you ungrateful.
You are allowed to ask.
You are allowed to know.
And you are allowed to stand up for yourself.
All my love,
Mom.
I pressed the letter to my mouth.
For ten years, I'd believed my mother had left me nothing but memories.
Now I understood that she'd tried to leave me allowed to stand up for yourself.*
All my love,
Mom.
I pressed the letter to my mouth.
For ten years, I'd believed my mother had left me nothing but memories.
Now I understood that she'd tried to leave me something much more important.
Security.
A place that would always be mine.
Someone had taken it.
And something much more important.
Security.
A place that would always be mine.
Someone had taken it.
And someone had helped them.
I carefully folded the letter and placed it inside my handbag.
Then I locked the storage unit and drove home.
I wasn't going to confront Vanessa.
Not yet.
First, I needed facts.
And I needed someone had helped them.
I carefully folded the letter and placed it inside my handbag.
Then I locked the storage unit and drove home.
I wasn't going to confront Vanessa.
Not yet.
First, I needed facts.
And I needed to know whether Ethan had any idea what his name meant on those documents.
Ethan was in the living room when I arrived.
He was to know whether Ethan had any idea what his name meant on those documents.
Ethan was in the living room when I arrived.
He was stretched out on the sofa, watching a basketball game with the volume turned low.
He looked up as I entered.
“Hey. Where have you been?””
I stretched out on the sofa, watching a basketball game with the volume turned low.
He looked up as I entered.
“Hey. Where have you been?””
I stood in front of him.
“We need to talk.””
He muted the television.
“Okay. What's wrong?””
I took the property transfer from my handbag and placed it on the coffee stood in front of him.
“We need to talk.””
He muted the television.
“Okay. What's wrong?””
I took the property transfer from my handbag and placed it on the coffee table.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then he sat upright.
“Where did you get this?””
“My mother's storage unit.””
He table.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then he sat upright.
“Where did you get this?””
“My mother's storage unit.””
He picked up the document.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then his face drained of color.
“Oh, my God.””
I watched him carefully picked up the document.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then his face drained of color.
“Oh, my God.””
I watched him carefully.
“You recognize it?””
He looked up at me.
“I've seen this before.””
My heart pounded.
“When?””
“My mom had some paperwork in her office a few years ago. I was looking.
“You recognize it?””
He looked up at me.
“I've seen this before.””
My heart pounded.
“When?””
“My mom had some paperwork in her office a few years ago. I was looking for my college tax documents, and I saw a folder with the address of a house for my college tax documents, and I saw a folder with the address of a house on it.””
He swallowed.
“I asked her about it. She told me it was a property investment.””
“Your name is on the transfer.””
“I know.””
The on it.””
He swallowed.
“I asked her about it. She told me it was a property investment.””
“Your name is on the transfer.””
“I know.””
The answer stopped me.
“You know?””
Ethan set the paper down.
“Not like this. I knew my name was associated with the property, but I never saw these documents.””
“Then how answer stopped me.
“You know?””
Ethan set the paper down.
“Not like this. I knew my name was associated with the property, but I never saw these documents.””
“Then how did you end up owning my mother's house?””
He ran a hand through his hair.
“My mom told me she was helping Dad with an estate issue. She said the property had been sold did you end up owning my mother's house?””
He ran a hand through his hair.
“My mom told me she was helping Dad with an estate issue. She said the property had been sold to settle debts, and she helped arrange the purchase through a family company.””
I stared at him.
“What family company?””
“Re to settle debts, and she helped arrange the purchase through a family company.””
I stared at him.
“What family company?””
“Reed Property Holdings. It was set up in my name when I was eighteen.””
“Did you pay for the house?””
“No.””
“Did youed Property Holdings. It was set up in my name when I was eighteen.””
“Did you pay for the house?””
“No.””
“Did you receive any money from selling it?””
“No.””
“Did you ever live there?””
He shook his head.
“Never.””
I leaned against receive any money from selling it?””
“No.””
“Did you ever live there?””
He shook his head.
“Never.””
I leaned against the armchair because my legs suddenly felt weak.
“Then why is your name on the deed?””
“I don't know, Nia.””
His voice was breaking now.
“I swear to you, I the armchair because my legs suddenly felt weak.
“Then why is your name on the deed?””
“I don't know, Nia.””
His voice was breaking now.
“I swear to you, I don't know.””
I wanted to believe him.
The Ethan sitting in front of me looked genuinely horrified. He don't know.””
I wanted to believe him.
The Ethan sitting in front of me looked genuinely horrified. He wasn't acting like someone who had just been caught doing something wrong.
He looked like someone who had stumbled into a disaster and realized his name wasn't acting like someone who had just been caught doing something wrong.
He looked like someone who had stumbled into a disaster and realized his name was written all over it.
“Did your mother ever mention me?”” I asked.
He nodded slowly.
“She said you were entitled to part of Dad's estate, but she thought that was unfair because she and Dad had built was written all over it.
“Did your mother ever mention me?”” I asked.
He nodded slowly.
“She said you were entitled to part of Dad's estate, but she thought that was unfair because she and Dad had built their life together.””
“Part of his estate?””
Ethan shook his head.
“I don't know. I never understood what she meant.””
I showed him my mother's letter.
He read it silently.
When he reached the final paragraph, he covered his mouth with his their life together.””
“Part of his estate?””
Ethan shook his head.
“I don't know. I never understood what she meant.””
I showed him my mother's letter.
He read it silently.
When he reached the final paragraph, he covered his mouth with his hand.
“She wrote this before she died?””
“Yes.””
Ethan looked at the property transfer again.
“My mom told me hand.
“She wrote this before she died?””
“Yes.””
Ethan looked at the property transfer again.
“My mom told me your father was the one who wanted to sell the house.””
I felt a cold ache settle in my chest.
“Did you believe her?””
“I had no reason not to.””
He your father was the one who wanted to sell the house.””
I felt a cold ache settle in my chest.
“Did you believe her?””
“I had no reason not to.””
He looked at me, his eyes wet.
“I didn't know she was doing something wrong.””
I pulled the document back toward me.
“Then help looked at me, his eyes wet.
“I didn't know she was doing something wrong.””
I pulled the document back toward me.
“Then help me find out what happened.””
Ethan nodded.
“I will.””
At that moment, the front door opened.
Vanessa walked into the living room carrying me find out what happened.””
Ethan nodded.
“I will.””
At that moment, the front door opened.
Vanessa walked into the living room carrying two shopping bags.
She stopped when she saw us.
Her eyes went straight to the papers on the table.
“What is that?””
Ethan stood.
“Mom, we need to talk.””
Van two shopping bags.
She stopped when she saw us.
Her eyes went straight to the papers on the table.
“What is that?””
Ethan stood.
“Mom, we need to talk.””
Vanessa slowly set down the shopping bags.
“No. We don't.””
“Your name is on the transfer documents for Nessa slowly set down the shopping bags.
“No. We don't.””
“Your name is on the transfer documents for Nia's mother's house.””
She looked at me.
Then she looked at Ethan.
For a moment, I thought she might deny everything.
Instead, she walked over to the coffee table, picked up the document, and folded it in half.
“You haveia's mother's house.””
She looked at me.
Then she looked at Ethan.
For a moment, I thought she might deny everything.
Instead, she walked over to the coffee table, picked up the document, and folded it in half.
“You have no idea what you're looking at.””
Ethan's voice hardened.
“Then explain it.””
Vanessa placed the paper back on the table.
“The no idea what you're looking at.””
Ethan's voice hardened.
“Then explain it.””
Vanessa placed the paper back on the table.
“The house was part of a complicated estate arrangement. Your father was overwhelmed, and I helped him manage it.””
“Dad says he never received the money.””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“Your father doesn't remember everything house was part of a complicated estate arrangement. Your father was overwhelmed, and I helped him manage it.””
“Dad says he never received the money.””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“Your father doesn't remember everything correctly.””
“Then show us the records.””
She turned toward me.
“You've been here less than two weeks, and already you're turning this family correctly.””
“Then show us the records.””
She turned toward me.
“You've been here less than two weeks, and already you're turning this family against itself.””
I stared at her.
“I'm asking where my mother's house went.””
“And I'm telling you that you don't understand the circumstances.””
“Then explain them.””
Vanessa's voice rose.
“I don't have to justify every against itself.””
I stared at her.
“I'm asking where my mother's house went.””
“And I'm telling you that you don't understand the circumstances.””
“Then explain them.””
Vanessa's voice rose.
“I don't have to justify every decision I've made to you!””
Ethan stepped between us.
“Mom, stop.””
She turned on him.
“Don't you dare take her side decision I've made to you!””
Ethan stepped between us.
“Mom, stop.””
She turned on him.
“Don't you dare take her side.””
“I'm not taking sides. I'm asking you a question.””
Vanessa pointed at the documents.
“Your father signed the transfer..””
“I'm not taking sides. I'm asking you a question.””
Vanessa pointed at the documents.
“Your father signed the transfer. That's all that matters.””
I shook my head.
“The trust agreement says the property couldn't be transferred without meeting specific conditions.””
Vanessa's eyes flickered toward the page.
“And you think a piece of paper tells you everything?””
“No. That's That's all that matters.””
I shook my head.
“The trust agreement says the property couldn't be transferred without meeting specific conditions.””
Vanessa's eyes flickered toward the page.
“And you think a piece of paper tells you everything?””
“No. That's why I'm taking it to an attorney.””
For the first time, Vanessa looked frightened.
Not irritated.
Not offended.
Frightened.
She grabbed her handbag from the chair.
“You'll destroy your father if you do this.””
I felt tears sting my eyes, but I refused to look why I'm taking it to an attorney.””
For the first time, Vanessa looked frightened.
Not irritated.
Not offended.
Frightened.
She grabbed her handbag from the chair.
“You'll destroy your father if you do this.””
I felt tears sting my eyes, but I refused to look away.
“You keep saying that as if telling the truth is something cruel.””
“Because you don't understand what the truth can do to people!””
“Then let us away.
“You keep saying that as if telling the truth is something cruel.””
“Because you don't understand what the truth can do to people!””
“Then let us decide for ourselves.””
Vanessa's lips trembled.
For one moment, I thought she might finally tell us what had happened.
Instead, she turned to Ethan decide for ourselves.””
Vanessa's lips trembled.
For one moment, I thought she might finally tell us what had happened.
Instead, she turned to Ethan.
“If you cooperate with her, don't expect me to protect you when this falls apart.””
Ethan stared at her.
“Protect me from what?””
.
“If you cooperate with her, don't expect me to protect you when this falls apart.””
Ethan stared at her.
“Protect me from what?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
She picked up the shopping bags and marched upstairs.
A bedroom door slammed.
Ethan sankVanessa didn't answer.
She picked up the shopping bags and marched upstairs.
A bedroom door slammed.
Ethan sank onto the sofa.
“I've never seen her like that,” he whispered.
I looked at the staircase.
“Yes, you have.””
He didn't argue.
The following morning, Ethan accompanied me to a lawyer's office.
Her name onto the sofa.
“I've never seen her like that,” he whispered.
I looked at the staircase.
“Yes, you have.””
He didn't argue.
The following morning, Ethan accompanied me to a lawyer's office.
Her name was Rebecca Lawson, and her practice specialized in property disputes and estate litigation.
She examined the documents for nearly an hour, asking was Rebecca Lawson, and her practice specialized in property disputes and estate litigation.
She examined the documents for nearly an hour, asking questions and making notes in the margins of a legal pad.
When she finally looked up, her expression was serious.
“I'm going to be questions and making notes in the margins of a legal pad.
When she finally looked up, her expression was serious.
“I'm going to be careful about what I tell you until I can verify the public records,” she said.
“But there are several things here that concern me.””
I gripped the edge of my chair.
“What things?””
“The trust agreement appears to restrict the careful about what I tell you until I can verify the public records,” she said.
“But there are several things here that concern me.””
I gripped the edge of my chair.
“What things?””
“The trust agreement appears to restrict the transfer of the property. If that restriction was still legally effective, your father's signature alone may not have been sufficient.””
Ethan leaned forward.
“What about transfer of the property. If that restriction was still legally effective, your father's signature alone may not have been sufficient.””
Ethan leaned forward.
“What about the sale price?””
Rebecca tapped the transfer document.
“The recorded consideration is substantially lower than the estimated market value of the property at the time.””
“How the sale price?””
Rebecca tapped the transfer document.
“The recorded consideration is substantially lower than the estimated market value of the property at the time.””
“How much lower?”” I asked.
“Based on the preliminary valuation, potentially more than one hundred thousand dollars.””
I stared at her.
“One hundred thousand?””
“Possibly. much lower?”” I asked.
“Based on the preliminary valuation, potentially more than one hundred thousand dollars.””
I stared at her.
“One hundred thousand?””
“Possibly. I need to confirm the historical market value and examine the complete transaction records.””
Ethan rubbed his forehead.
“Where would the money have gone?””
“That is one I need to confirm the historical market value and examine the complete transaction records.””
Ethan rubbed his forehead.
“Where would the money have gone?””
“That is one of the questions we need to answer.””
Rebecca turned to me.
“Do you have any correspondence from your mother's attorney?””
I handed her the letter from the storage unit.
She read it carefully.
Then she asked, “Have you seen of the questions we need to answer.””
Rebecca turned to me.
“Do you have any correspondence from your mother's attorney?””
I handed her the letter from the storage unit.
She read it carefully.
Then she asked, “Have you seen the original trust document?””
“No.””
“Do you know who the trustee was?””
“My father.””
Rebecca the original trust document?””
“No.””
“Do you know who the trustee was?””
“My father.””
Rebecca nodded.
“Then we need to determine whether the trust was properly administered and whether any beneficiary consent was required for the transfer.””
She closed the folder.
“I also recommend that you avoid confronting Vanessa further until we have verified the records. If she nodded.
“Then we need to determine whether the trust was properly administered and whether any beneficiary consent was required for the transfer.””
She closed the folder.
“I also recommend that you avoid confronting Vanessa further until we have verified the records. If she has documents you haven't seen, we want to obtain them through appropriate legal channels.””
I nodded.
For the first time since discovering the deed, I has documents you haven't seen, we want to obtain them through appropriate legal channels.””
I nodded.
For the first time since discovering the deed, I felt as though someone was taking me seriously.
Rebecca gave me a list of documents to request and explained that she would begin checking the property's recorded ownership history.
As Ethan and I walked toward felt as though someone was taking me seriously.
Rebecca gave me a list of documents to request and explained that she would begin checking the property's recorded ownership history.
As Ethan and I walked toward the exit, my phone buzzed.
A message from my father.
*Dad: Vanessa says you've taken legal the exit, my phone buzzed.
A message from my father.
*Dad: Vanessa says you've taken legal action against our family. Please come home so we can resolve this privately.*
I stopped in the hallway.
Ethan read action against our family. Please come home so we can resolve this privately.*
I stopped in the hallway.
Ethan read the message over my shoulder.
“She told him you're attacking the family,” he said.
I looked back toward Rebecca the message over my shoulder.
“She told him you're attacking the family,” he said.
I looked back toward Rebecca's office.
“I'm not attacking anyone.””
“Then what are you doing?””
I looked at the photograph of my mother on my phone, the one I'd taken from the storage box.
“I'm trying to find out what happened's office.
“I'm not attacking anyone.””
“Then what are you doing?””
I looked at the photograph of my mother on my phone, the one I'd taken from the storage box.
“I'm trying to find out what happened to something she left me.””
I typed a reply.
*Dad, I love you. But I won't agree to keep this private just because the truth to something she left me.””
I typed a reply.
Dad, I love you. But I won't agree to keep this private just because the truth is uncomfortable. I'll come home tonight, and we'll talk.
Then I put my phone away.
Neither of us noticed the is uncomfortable. I'll come home tonight, and we'll talk.*
Then I put my phone away.
Neither of us noticed the woman standing near the elevator at the end of the hallway.
Vanessa had followed us.
She watched Ethan hold the door open for me.
She woman standing near the elevator at the end of the hallway.
Vanessa had followed us.
She watched Ethan hold the door open for me.
She watched us leave together.
And as the elevator doors closed, she pulled out her phone and made a call.
“I need you to find something,” she said quietly.
A pause.
“The watched us leave together.
And as the elevator doors closed, she pulled out her phone and made a call.
“I need you to find something,” she said quietly.
May you like
A pause.
“The original trust agreement. If she finds it, we're finished.””
Related Stories
