Chapter 14 - The Notary Stamp
Detective Reyes was much more interested when we returned.
She examined the power of attorney beneath a desk lamp.
“Your signature?”
“No.”
“Were you present when this was notarized?”
“No.”
“Did Victoria Voss ever ask you to sign this?”
“No.”
“Did you authorize Julian to present it?”
“No.”
Reyes nodded.
Then she asked Rebecca to remain while another officer took a formal supplemental statement.
For the first time, I saw fear become consequence.
Not revenge.
Not some dramatic confrontation.
Consequence.
By noon, Rebecca had also notified the state agency responsible for notary complaints.
Victoria’s stamp had created a paper trail.
At 1:20, Julian was served with the annulment petition.
I knew because he called me nineteen times in seven minutes.
Then he switched to text messages.
You filed against me?
Are you insane?
This is OUR marriage.
You can’t decide this alone.
That last one made me stop.
I typed a response.
Rebecca read it before I sent it.
I decided alone because I am the only person in this marriage who did not enter it as part of a financial plan. Contact my attorney.
Rebecca approved.
I sent it.
Then blocked him.
For nine peaceful minutes, nothing happened.
Then Victoria called my father.
He put her on speaker.
“You raised a vindictive daughter.”
My father remained calm.
“You raised a son who presented a forged document at a bank.”
“It wasn’t forged.”
“Elena says it was.”
“She signed hundreds of things before the wedding.”
Rebecca’s head snapped toward the phone.
My father’s expression hardened.
“Excuse me?”
Victoria went silent.
Then she tried to recover.
“She may not remember.”
Rebecca grabbed a pen and wrote.
Ask which documents.
My father did.
“What exactly did Elena sign that she might not remember?”
“I’m not discussing legal matters with you.”
“You called me.”
Victoria swore.
Then she said something even worse.
“You people were perfectly happy to let Julian marry her when you thought he was good enough.”
My father’s voice became icy.
“My daughter married your son because she loved him.”
“Don’t be naive.”
Victoria laughed.
“People like us understand what marriage is.”
I looked at Rebecca.
People like us.
My father said, “And what exactly is marriage?”
“A merger.”
Victoria answered instantly.
“A family arrangement.”
“Assets come together.”
“Obligations come together.”
My father looked directly at me.
Then he asked, “Did Elena agree to that?”
“She said ‘I do.’”
Victoria hung up.
Rebecca stared at the silent phone.
“Your father needs to preserve that recording.”
“He already is.”
I looked out the window.
A merger.
That was how Victoria saw my wedding.
Not two people.
Two balance sheets.
Then another message arrived.
This one came from Caleb.
They know I helped you.
I stood immediately.
Are you okay?
His answer took a minute.
Julian hit me.
My father swore.
Then another text arrived.
I’m leaving the house.
May you like
And then.
But I found the original plan.
