Chapter 13: The Closing Table Again

The next morning, I arrived at the title company with my attorney beside me.

Luke was already there.

Maya sat next to him, dressed as if she were attending a celebration instead of a closing that was falling apart.

The moment Luke saw me, he stood.

"Elena, thank God."

I didn't answer.

His eyes moved to my attorney, and his expression hardened.

"You brought a lawyer?"

"Yes."

Maya lowered her voice.

"You didn't have to make this so serious."

I looked at her.

"You forged my signature."

Her face went pale.

"I never—"

"We'll discuss that with the appropriate people."

My attorney placed a folder on the table.

"Before anything is signed, we have several questions regarding the financing and the documents submitted in Ms. Brooks's name."

The closing agent looked confused.

"What documents?"

My attorney opened the folder.

"These."

He placed copies of the mortgage forms on the table.

The room became silent.

Luke immediately reached for the papers.

"Those aren't finalized."

"That wasn't the question," my attorney said.

He pointed to the signature.

"Did Ms. Brooks sign this document?"

Luke didn't speak.

Maya looked down.

The closing agent looked from one to the other.

"Ms. Brooks?"

"No."

My attorney nodded.

"Then she has no authorization to be represented as a consenting party to this transaction."

Luke's face reddened.

"This is ridiculous. She was supposed to be part of the purchase."

"Was she?" the closing agent asked.

Luke hesitated.

I finally spoke.

"I was never told about this property."

Maya suddenly stood.

"Luke, tell them."

He turned toward her.

"Tell them what?"

"That you said everything was handled."

I watched them exchange a frightened look.

For once, neither of them knew what to say.

My attorney slid another document across the table.

"We've also identified unauthorized transfers from the joint account toward this purchase."

The closing agent read the figures.

His expression changed.

"Then the funding source listed here is no longer available."

Luke slammed his hand on the table.

"She can't just take the money back!"

I looked directly at him.

"It was never yours."

The room fell silent again.

Maya's eyes filled with tears.

"Elena, please. I didn't know how serious this was."

"You signed a marriage certificate with my fiancé eight weeks ago."

She flinched.

"And now you're sitting beside him trying to buy a house with my money."

My voice remained calm.

"Don't tell me you didn't know."

The closing agent slowly gathered the documents.

"This transaction cannot proceed today."

Luke stared at him.

"What?"

"The required funds aren't available, and there are questions regarding the documentation."

Maya sank back into her chair.

Luke looked at me with pure anger.

"You planned this."

I shook my head.

"No, Luke."

I stood and picked up my bag.

"You planned everything. I just stopped cooperating."

As I walked toward the door, my attorney touched my arm.

"There's one more thing."

I turned.

He held up a printed email.

"The lender has requested a complete review of the documents submitted under your name."

My stomach tightened.

"What does that mean?"

He looked at Luke.

"It means the questions you've been asking may soon be questions they're asking too."

Luke's expression finally changed.

For the first time, he looked genuinely afraid.