Chapter 10 - THE LOAN I NEVER SIGNED|
The loan agreement was for three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
It listed me as a guarantor.
I had never seen it before.
Evelyn read every page, then looked at me.
“This could be fraud.”
“Could Owen have done it?”
“He could have submitted the paperwork. We need the lender's original file.”
I felt sick.
The amount was enormous. If the loan went unpaid, the lender could pursue me.
“Why would he need my signature?”
“Your trust may have made you appear financially secure.”
I stared at the document.
“My grandmother left me money. Owen knew exactly how much.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Did he ever ask you to sign blank forms?”
I remembered a stack of papers he had brought home after we married.
He had said they were routine documents for the accountant.
I had signed several pages without reading every line.
My stomach twisted.
“I may have.”
Evelyn closed the folder.
“Then we need to act quickly.”
She contacted the lender and filed a formal dispute. She also advised me to freeze my credit and report the suspected identity theft.
I did everything she recommended.
That night, Owen sent a message.
You need to stop digging into my business.
I didn't reply.
Another message arrived.
You're making this worse for everyone.
I read it twice.
Then I typed:
You used my name to guarantee a loan. Explain that.
He called immediately.
I answered.
“Did you forge my signature?”
“Who told you that?”
“Answer me.”
“It's complicated.”
“No. It's a yes-or-no question.”
He exhaled.
“I was going to refinance it.”
“Did you use my identity?”
“I needed a guarantor.”
“You had a wife. You could have asked.”
“You would have said no.”
I closed my eyes.
“So you forged it.”
“I didn't forge anything. The paperwork was handled by my accountant.”
“Who signed my name?”
“Claire, I can't do this right now.”
I laughed bitterly.
“You've had years to do this.”
He lowered his voice.
“Listen. If this gets out, it could damage my business. It could hurt Brooke and Ethan too.”
“Why would it hurt them?”
Silence.
I felt my pulse quicken.
“Owen?”
“Don't involve Brooke.”
“Why is Ethan connected to the account?”
He didn't answer.
Then he said, “We can fix this privately.”
I ended the call.
The next morning, Evelyn received a letter from the lender.
The original loan file included a witness statement.
The witness claimed to have watched me sign the guarantee.
The name was Brooke Bennett.
I stared at the page.
My sister had witnessed a signature I had never made.
Evelyn looked at me.
“Do you recognize the handwriting?”
I nodded.
It was Brooke's.
“She knew.”
Evelyn placed the letter down.
“Then we have to assume she was involved.”
My phone buzzed.
May you like
A message from Brooke.
Please don't destroy our family over money. You have no idea what Owen promised me.
