Chapter 14 - THE HEARING
The next week was a stack of affidavits, calls, and long evenings in Nora’s office. Ethan’s business attorney handled the bank. Nora handled the land dispute. I answered every question about my signature, my property, and where I had been at 4:38 on the day of the party.
At the emergency hearing, Patricia sat beside Calvin Pierce. George sat two rows behind them. Vanessa came with her own attorney and took a seat on the opposite side of the room.
The judge considered a narrow question: whether the disputed transfer and option could be used while their validity was being examined. Nora presented my recording, the title company’s logs, Marsha’s statement, and the agreement Ethan had actually signed.
Calvin argued that the signature issue required further investigation. On that point, the judge agreed. Then she ordered the disputed transfer and option blocked from being acted upon until the facts were resolved.
I let out a breath I had been holding for days.
Outside the courtroom, George approached Ethan.
“I never wanted it to go this far,” he said.
Ethan looked at him. “You sent someone into my house.”
“Calvin handled that.”
“You gave him the code.”
George’s shoulders sagged. “Patricia told me the bank would take everything if we didn’t close.”
Patricia came through the doors behind him.
“George,” she said sharply.
He turned to her. “Did you write the letter about Helen?”
Patricia glanced at me. “Not here.”
It was the same answer Vanessa had given in the garage. This time George did not follow her.
Nora guided Ethan and me toward the elevators. We had achieved what we came for that day, but the underlying dispute was still open. I was tired enough to feel it in my bones.
At home, I took out the faded shawl. A small water stain remained near the hem. I had almost thrown it away. Instead I folded it and put it in a drawer.
Ethan called that evening.
“The developer contacted my attorney,” he said. “They still want to discuss the land once this is settled.”
“What do you want?”
“I don’t know yet. A week ago, I thought the wedding was the biggest decision in my life.”
“You have time to think about the land.”
“And Vanessa?”
“That decision is yours.”
He was quiet. Then he said, “I ended the engagement.”
I closed my eyes. “I’m sorry it hurts.”
May you like
“So am I.”
Before we hung up, he added, “Mom? There’s something I never told you about the first time I met her.”
