Chapter 5 - The House He Gambled
I stared at the forged signature until the letters blurred.
Monica took the document.
“Daniela?”
“I didn't sign this.”
“I know.”
“Our house is collateral.”
“I know.”
“He forged my name.”
“We're going to verify everything before reaching conclusions.”
“I know my signature.”
And I did.
The fake version was good.
But whoever copied it had reproduced the way I signed formal documents five years earlier.
My signature had changed after I injured my wrist.
Rodrigo hadn't noticed.
That tiny difference might save me.
The loan financed equipment for Gulf Atlantic Marine Consulting.
George's company.
Rodrigo had apparently guaranteed it.
Using our house.
My phone began ringing.
Lauren.
“Daniela.”
Her voice shook.
“George disappeared.”
“What?”
“He packed a bag.”
“When?”
“An hour ago.”
“Where did he go?”
“I don't know.”
Then she said, “There are men here asking about a boat.”
The charter business was collapsing.
Fast.
I told Lauren to call her lawyer and cooperate with anyone legally authorized to investigate.
Then Monica drove me home.
Rodrigo's car was in the driveway.
We waited until a civil standby officer arrived before entering.
Rodrigo sat at the kitchen table.
He looked exhausted.
For once, he didn't look powerful.
He looked scared.
“Seriously?” he said when he saw the officer.
I ignored him.
I went upstairs and packed essentials.
Rodrigo followed but stopped when the officer moved between us.
“Daniela, please.”
I turned.
“Where is George?”
“I don't know.”
“Where is the company money?”
“I don't know.”
“Who forged my signature?”
He looked away.
That hurt more than I expected.
Not because I still loved him.
Because somewhere inside me, one final part had hoped there was a boundary he hadn't crossed.
There wasn't.
“Was it you?”
He whispered, “It was supposed to be temporary.”
There it was.
I felt nothing.
“Temporary fraud?”
“Stop calling it that.”
“What would you prefer?”
“An investment.”
“Investments require consent.”
“We're married!”
I laughed.
Even the officer looked uncomfortable.
Rodrigo stepped forward.
“George had an opportunity.”
“And you funded it with my savings, our emergency fund, our home, and money from my employer?”
His face tightened.
“I never meant for your company to lose anything.”
“But you meant for me to?”
Silence.
That silence ended us more completely than any divorce decree ever could.
I picked up my suitcase.
As I walked downstairs, Rodrigo said:
“You'll regret doing this.”
I stopped.
“No.”
I looked back.
“I regret not doing it sooner.”
Outside, Monica waited.
But before I reached her car, two unmarked vehicles pulled onto the street.
Investigators stepped out.
Rodrigo appeared in the doorway.
His face changed.
May you like
And I knew the story had moved beyond divorce.
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