CHAPTER 3 — THE SECRET IN THE DEED
CHAPTER 3 — THE SECRET IN THE DEED
Derek still believed money could save him.
As detectives searched the house, he called his attorney.
"My wife is mentally unstable."
"She's trying to ruin me."
His lawyer arrived within an hour.
Expensive suit.
Expensive watch.
Expensive confidence.
Until Colonel Reed quietly slid a leather folder across the dining table.
"Read page twelve."
The lawyer frowned.
Then opened it.
His face drained of color.
He flipped faster.
Then faster still.
Finally, he looked at Derek with complete disbelief.
"You never read the ownership records?"
Derek blinked.
"What are you talking about?"
"The mansion."
"You don't own it."
"What?"
"You never did."
Everyone turned toward Lila.
She took a slow breath.
"When Mom died, my grandfather placed every family property into an irrevocable trust."
"My name became the beneficiary when I turned twenty-five."
Derek laughed nervously.
"That's impossible."
Lila quietly placed another document on the table.
The original deed.
Signed years before their wedding.
"The house..."
"The land..."
"The investment accounts that paid every mortgage..."
"They're all mine."
Brooke stumbled backward.
"No..."
Derek grabbed the papers with shaking hands.
"This has to be fake."
The lawyer slowly removed his glasses.
"It's authentic."
"And because domestic abuse occurred inside property solely owned by Mrs. Reed..."
He paused.
"You'll be removed immediately."
Police officers approached Derek.
One reached for the handcuffs.
"You are under arrest for felony domestic assault, unlawful imprisonment, and making credible threats against an unborn child."
Brooke suddenly screamed.
"I'm pregnant!"
The detective looked at her calmly.
"Congratulations."
"You're still under arrest for assault and conspiracy."
The cuffs clicked around both their wrists.
May you like
For the first time...
Neither of them had anything left to say.
