I read it twice.

Then a third time.

A private lender had recorded a lien against the property.

The borrower was Shane.

But there was something wrong.

The signature authorizing the lien wasn’t mine.

It wasn’t Emily’s.

And it wasn’t my mother’s.

I looked at Ms. Farrow.

“Whose signature is this?”

She stared at it.

“We’re still verifying.”

I looked closer.

My stomach dropped.

It looked like my signature.

But I knew I hadn’t signed it.

Someone had copied my name.

Forgery.

Someone had tried to borrow money against my house.

I immediately called an attorney.

By noon, we had filed notices disputing the lien.

By afternoon, Shane was calling me nonstop.

I didn’t answer.

Then Mom called.

“Michelle, please come home.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Please.”

When I arrived, Mom was sitting alone in the kitchen.

She looked exhausted.

“I need to tell you everything.”

I sat across from her.

She opened an old box.

Inside were documents.

Receipts.

Letters.

And photographs.

“Your father knew Shane was in trouble before he died.”

She handed me a letter.

“He wanted you to have the house.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I was afraid.”

“Of Shane?”

She nodded.

“He threatened me.”

I stared at her.

“He told me that if I ever gave you the deed, he’d make sure I never saw my grandchildren again.”

My chest tightened.

Mom continued.

“I thought I could keep everyone together.”

“You let me believe I was a guest in my own home.”

“I know.”

“You let Shane insult me.”

“I know.”

“You let him tell everyone I was taking advantage of you.”

“I know.”

Her voice broke.

“I was ashamed.”

Then she handed me one final document.

It was a letter from my father.

But this one was addressed to my mother.

I read it.

It said:

If you ever find yourself choosing between protecting Michelle and protecting Shane, protect Michelle. Shane will always find another way to survive. Michelle will always sacrifice herself for everyone else.

I looked at Mom.

“That was Dad’s last instruction?”

She nodded.

“And you ignored it.”

She started crying.

“I did.”

Then my phone buzzed.

A message from Ms. Farrow.

THE LIEN HAS BEEN REMOVED.

I breathed out.

For the first time, I thought it was finally over.

Then another message arrived.

BUT WE FOUND SOMETHING ELSE IN THE COUNTY RECORDS.

I opened it.

My heart stopped.

There was another property connected to my name.

A property I had never heard of.

And the deed had been recorded seven years earlier.

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