Chapter 4 - THE HOUSE THAT WAS NEVER HIS
I had designed every room in our house.
I had selected the limestone floors, negotiated with contractors, and spent months restoring the neglected garden. Julian used to tell visitors that we had built the home together.
Now I discovered he had been preparing to take it from me.
"Explain this," I demanded.
Richard examined the transfer agreement.
"That company is part of a restructuring Julian proposed last year."
"Without telling me?"
He didn't answer.
I turned to my husband.
"How much of our property have you transferred?"
Julian looked toward the staircase.
That was answer enough.
My phone vibrated.
An email had arrived from my attorney, whom I had contacted earlier that evening. I opened the attachment and found the original deed to the house.
The property was registered under my design firm's name.
I had purchased it three years before marrying Julian, then refinanced it to fund renovations. Julian had lived there for a decade, but he had never owned the controlling interest.
He knew that.
He also knew I had recently signed several routine documents related to the house's insurance and maintenance.
One of those documents had apparently been altered.
"You're trying to steal a property you don't own," I said.
Julian's face reddened.
"I invested money into this house."
"You contributed to expenses. That doesn't make you the owner."
Beatrice stepped between us.
"Harper, please. We can resolve this privately."
"Why? So everyone can keep pretending your family is respectable?"
Richard's expression hardened.
"Careful."
I met his eyes.
"No. I've spent ten years being careful. Look where it got me."
Then Natalie opened her phone and showed me an old message from Julian.
It had been sent four months earlier.
Once the transfer is complete, Harper won't have enough money to fight us. Mom says the company can absorb the house before the divorce becomes public.
My hands went cold.
I looked at Beatrice.
She did not deny it.
Instead, she whispered, "You were never supposed to see those documents."
May you like
Then she reached into her purse and placed a small brass key on the table.
"There's something in Richard's private office you need to see."
