Elena placed the forged loan application on the hood of Adrian’s SUV, and the empty foundation behind him seemed to swallow every sound.
Kendra stared at the page first.
Marcus and Lila stood beside the open rear door, their hands locked together.
The county officer remained near Elena, while the lender’s representative opened a leather case and removed a second copy of the same document.
Adrian did not look at the signature.
He looked at me.
“What have you done?”
It was the question of a man who still believed consequences were actions committed against him.
I stood beneath the oak tree where my father had once hung a tire swing for Marcus.
“I protected my property.”
“Our property,” Adrian snapped.
Elena tapped the trust deed.
“No.
Her family’s property.
You were granted residential use while married to the trustee.
You were never given title, authority to sell, or permission to encumber it.”
Kendra turned toward Adrian.
“You told me the deed had already been transferred.”
“It was being handled.”
“You said you owned it.”
“I practically did.
