Chapter 4: The Papers She Never Read
“That’s impossible,” Florence said.
“I never sent this.”
Jeremy reached into his jacket and produced a folded document.
“Yes, you did.
You gave me financial authority six weeks ago.”
Florence stared at the signature.
“What is that?”
“The power of attorney you signed.”
“I never signed a power of attorney.”
“You signed an entire packet at the caterer’s office,” Jeremy said.
“You were in a hurry, remember?”
Florence’s face changed.
“You told me those were vendor forms.”
“You should have read them.”
My husband seized the paper from Jeremy.
“This also lists Florence’s cottage as collateral.”
Jeremy shrugged.
“We discussed using it for our future.”
“That cottage belonged to her grandmother,” I said.
“You had no right.”
“I had Florence’s written permission.”
Ray leaned over the document.
“The witness address is an empty office.”
Jeremy smiled thinly.
“Are you a lawyer now?”
“No.
I’m a mechanic who knows when someone has switched the parts.”
Florence backed into the altar rail.
“Tell me the truth.
Did you date me because of the trust?”
Jeremy’s expression softened so quickly that it frightened me more than his anger.
“I loved you before I knew about any money.”
“Then cancel the transfer.”
“I can’t cancel a request you made.”
“You just said you had authority.”
“I said you authorized me.
That isn’t the same thing.”
I took Florence’s cold hand.
“Tell me you didn’t knowingly sign this.”
She looked at my face, then at her father’s.
“I don’t know what I signed.”
My husband lowered his eyes to the page.
“It is your signature, Flo.”
That sentence broke her.
Florence pulled off her engagement ring and pressed it into my palm.
“I brought him into our home,” she whispered.
“I defended him every time you questioned something.”
Jeremy reached for her.
“Don’t let them turn you against me.”
Florence jerked away.
“You have a wife.”
“A wife who abandoned our marriage.”
Lydia’s voice came sharply through the phone.
“You left while Sophie was asleep.
You took the rent money and my business records.”
“That is between us,” Jeremy said.
“No,” Florence replied.
“You brought it to my wedding.”
The venue manager hurried toward us with two security guards.
“Mrs.
Hale, we have a problem.
The final venue payment was reversed this morning.”
Jeremy looked surprised.
“I paid it.”
The manager held up his tablet.
“The card belongs to a Lydia Brennan.”
Ray’s hands curled at his sides.
“You used my daughter’s account again?”
Jeremy stepped behind one of the guards.
“This man is becoming aggressive.
Remove him.”
“He stays,” Florence said.
“This venue contract is in my name,” Jeremy replied.
“Security, escort Mr.
Brennan out.”
One guard moved toward Ray, but the other remained still.
“Sir,” he said to Jeremy, “I heard the bride tell him to stay.”
Jeremy’s smile disappeared.
A woman’s voice rose from the back row.
“And she should listen to him.”
Everyone turned.
A gray-haired woman in a navy dress was walking down the aisle with a small metal box in her hands.
Jeremy went rigid.
“Mom?
What are you doing here?”
She stopped beside Florence.
“My name is Elaine Hale,” she said.
“I’m Jeremy’s mother.”
Jeremy moved toward her.
“Go home.”
Elaine tightened her arms around the box.
“No.
I have spent too many years cleaning up after you.”
She looked at Florence, and tears filled her eyes.
“Before you believe another word my son says, you need to see what he kept in my garage.”
