I ignored every call and drove straight to Miriam’s office.
She already had the purchase agreement when I arrived.
“How did you get that?”
“The title company contacted the brokerage this morning requesting proof of funds.”
She turned the contract toward me.
Buyer: Lena Whitmore.
Funding source: Ava Whitmore inheritance account.
Authorized representative: Thomas Whitmore.
My father.
I stared at his signature.
“Can he do that?”
“He can sign anything he wants,” Miriam replied. “That doesn’t make it binding on your assets.”
Then she pointed to an attached certification.
My stomach tightened.
It claimed I had authorized Dad to use up to $1.5 million for “family real-estate investment purposes.”
“I never signed this.”
“I know.”
The signature resembled mine.
Almost.
Miriam’s expression hardened.
“Your father submitted this two days ago.”
That changed everything.
They hadn’t simply assumed I would agree.
They had prepared for me to refuse.
Worse, Dad had already personally advanced the earnest-money deposit because he was certain my inheritance would reimburse him at closing.
My phone buzzed.
Lena: You’re being weird. Mom says you’re jealous because I’m finally getting something.
Another message followed.
Mom: Don’t embarrass this family over money you didn’t earn.
I showed Miriam.
