Chapter 5: The Document They Wanted Me to Sign
I didn't go downstairs immediately.
Instead, I called the attorney Denise had recommended.
Her name was Margaret Ellis.
She answered after four rings.
"Ellis.""
"My name is Opal Mercer. Denise from Northbridge gave me your number.""
There was a brief pause.
"Is this about the Mercer Holdings guarantee?""
My heart dropped.
"Yes.""
"Are you alone?""
"Yes.""
"Good. I need you to understand something before we discuss details. Do not sign anything.
Do not consent to any new financial arrangement. And do not give anyone your original identification documents.""
"I won't.""
"Have you contacted your bank?""
"Not yet.""
"Then we will discuss that. But first, I need to know whether anyone has threatened you.""
I glanced toward the door.
"My mother-in-law slapped me tonight. My husband is downstairs with his family. He's asking me to bring my driver's license and financial documents.""
Margaret went quiet.
Then she said, "Do not bring them.""
I swallowed.
"Can you help me?""
"Yes. But I need evidence, not assumptions. Save every document, every message, and every email. Don't alter anything.""
She gave me instructions for securely sending the guarantee and the other records Denise had provided.
Then she said something I would remember for a long time.
"Mrs. Mercer, your marriage and your finances are two separate matters. You don't have to protect someone from the consequences of what they've done simply because you're married to them.""
I looked toward the hallway.
"Thank you.""
"One more thing. If you believe you're in immediate danger, leave the property and contact the appropriate authorities. Your safety comes first.""
After the call, I photographed my cheek and lip.
I took pictures of the trash can, the empty refrigerator spaces, and the roasting pans still visible through the window of Vanessa's SUV.
Then I saved everything in a folder.
At 8:42 p.m., I finally went downstairs.
The dinner party had changed.
The guests were no longer laughing around the dining table.
Most had moved into the living room.
Charlene sat on the sofa with a glass of wine, while Vanessa stood beside the fireplace, scrolling through her phone.
Spencer was waiting near the staircase.
When he saw me, he straightened.
"Finally.""
I ignored him and walked into the living room.
Charlene looked up.
"There she is.""
I stopped near the doorway.
"What is this about?""
She placed her wineglass on the coffee table.
"We need to settle a family matter.""
I looked around.
There were still twelve people in the room.
Spencer's uncle, two cousins, his aunt, Vanessa's boyfriend, and several relatives I barely knew.
"Why are all these people here?""
Charlene smiled.
"Because family matters should be handled with family present.""
I looked at Spencer.
He avoided my eyes.
Then he pulled a white envelope from the side table.
"There's a document we need you to sign.""
I didn't move.
"What document?""
"Just an authorization.""
"For what?""
"To simplify the financial arrangements.""
I almost laughed.
"Which financial arrangements?""
Charlene interrupted.
"Don't turn this into an interrogation. Spencer has explained everything to us.""
I looked at her.
"Has he?""
"Yes. And frankly, we're all disappointed in your behavior tonight.""
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Especially after Mom helped make this evening possible.""
I glanced at the dining room.
The food I'd cooked was still on the table.
Four pounds were in the trash.
Fourteen pounds were in Vanessa's SUV.
And somehow, Charlene was claiming she had helped make the evening possible.
"Where is the document?"" I asked.
Spencer handed me the envelope.
I opened it.
The first page was titled:
*VOLUNTARY PROPERTY TRANSFER AND FINANCIAL AUTHORIZATION.*
I read the first paragraph.
Then the second.
The document authorized the transfer of my interest in the marital residence to a company called Mercer Holdings LLC.
It also granted Spencer authority to negotiate financial arrangements on my behalf.
My name appeared at the top.
My address was listed below it.
And the signature line was waiting at the bottom.
I looked up.
"You want me to transfer my house to your mother's company?""
Charlene sighed.
"Don't phrase it like that.""
"How should I phrase it?""
"It's a temporary arrangement.""
I looked at Spencer.
"Temporary?""
He nodded.
"The company needs collateral while we restructure some accounts.""
"Why my house?""
"Because it's the strongest asset available.""
I turned another page.
"Where does it say I get it back?""
Spencer frowned.
"It's standard language.""
"Where?""
He took the document from me.
"You're getting stuck on details.""
I looked directly at him.
"One hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars wasn't a detail. Six hundred and forty thousand dollars wasn't a detail. My signature wasn't a detail.""
The room became silent.
Charlene's wineglass stopped halfway to her mouth.
Spencer stared at me.
"Who told you those numbers?""
I didn't answer.
Vanessa put her phone down.
"What numbers?""
I turned toward her.
"Did you know your mother was using my house as security?""
She looked at Charlene.
That was enough.
Charlene stood.
"Don't you dare involve Vanessa.""
"She's already involved. Her name is on the payment records.""
Vanessa's face went pale.
"Mom?""
Charlene's voice sharpened.
"Sit down.""
Vanessa didn't move.
I looked at Spencer.
"Did you create this document tonight?""
"No.""
"Then when?""
He hesitated.
"Last week.""
I nodded.
"Before or after you told me you loved me?""
His face twisted.
"Don't do that.""
"Do what?""
"Turn this into some emotional performance.""
I placed the document on the coffee table.
"Where's the original?""
He blinked.
"What?""
"The original property transfer agreement.""
"That's the original.""
"No, it's not.""
I took my phone from my pocket.
"I've already seen the version submitted two weeks ago.""
Spencer's expression changed.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Charlene stepped forward.
"Who have you been talking to?""
I looked at her.
"Someone who reads documents before signing them.""
Her hand tightened around her wineglass.
"You have no idea what you're doing.""
"Actually, I think I do.""
Spencer approached me.
"Opal, we can discuss this privately.""
"No.""
"Please.""
"No.""
He lowered his voice.
"You're going to destroy my career.""
I stared at him.
"You forged my signature.""
"That's not what happened.""
"Then prove it.""
He looked toward his mother.
Charlene immediately stepped in.
"This is exactly why I told you not to marry someone who doesn't understand family loyalty.""
A cousin sitting near the window shifted uncomfortably.
I turned toward her.
"Do you know what family loyalty looks like?""
She didn't answer.
"It looks like not stealing from someone. It looks like not hitting them. It looks like not using their name to guarantee a loan they never agreed to.""
Charlene pointed toward the door.
"Get out of my house.""
I stared at her.
Then I smiled.
"Your house?""
Spencer closed his eyes.
I pulled a folded document from my handbag.
It was a copy of the property deed.
My name was listed as the sole owner.
The house had been purchased before my marriage, using money from an inheritance my father had left me.
Spencer had never been added to the deed.
I placed the document beside the transfer agreement.
"Read it.""
Charlene stared at the paper.
Vanessa leaned forward.
Spencer didn't touch it.
I pointed to the ownership section.
"My house was purchased with my inheritance. My name is the only name on the deed. Your company doesn't own it.
Your son doesn't own it. And you certainly don't.""
Charlene's mouth opened.
Then closed.
I picked up the transfer agreement.
"I will not sign this.""
Spencer stepped closer.
"Opal, don't be stupid.""
I looked at him.
"Careful.""
He lowered his voice.
"You're making this worse than it needs to be.""
"Then explain why your mother has my property listed as collateral.""
He said nothing.
I turned toward the guests.
"I'm sorry your evening has become uncomfortable. You're welcome to finish your drinks, but I won't be signing anything tonight.""
Charlene's face went crimson.
"You're humiliating us!""
I looked at the woman who had slapped me less than an hour earlier.
"No. I'm refusing to help you humiliate me.""
I walked toward the kitchen.
Spencer followed.
"Opal, wait.""
I continued walking.
He caught up near the refrigerator.
"Listen to me. If you walk away from this, Mom could lose everything.""
I turned.
"Then perhaps she should have thought about that before putting her hands on me and taking my money.""
His jaw tightened.
"You don't understand what she's going through.""
I looked at him for a long moment.
"Do you know what I went through when my father died?""
He didn't answer.
"Do you remember that hospital room?""
"Opal—"
"Do you remember telling me you were too busy to talk?""
He looked down.
I stepped closer.
"Because I remember. And now I know what you were doing.""
His phone began vibrating.
He checked the screen.
The color drained from his face.
"Who is it?"" I asked.
"Nobody.""
He turned the phone away.
But I had already seen the name.
*MARGARET ELLIS.*
My attorney.
Spencer stared at the screen as the call ended.
Then a message appeared.
I couldn't read all of it.
But I saw the first sentence.
*Your wife has formally disputed the guarantee...*
Spencer looked up at me.
"Why did you contact a lawyer?""
I smiled without warmth.
"Because you gave me a very good reason.""
Then his phone rang again.
This time, the caller was Charlene's business partner.
Spencer answered.
May you like
And the first words I heard were:
"Tell me you haven't let Opal see the original bank transfer records.""
