Chapter 7
I stared at the photograph.
My mother's signature was unmistakable.
But the document confused me.
Property transfer?
What property?
I enlarged the image.
The page was partially covered.
Only a few lines were visible.
One mentioned Grandma Evelyn's estate.
Another referred to a commercial building.
And near the bottom was Vanessa's name.
My stomach twisted.
Marcus noticed my expression.
"Baby, what's wrong?"
I handed him the phone.
He studied the photograph.
"Who sent this?"
"I don't know."
He frowned.
"Do you recognize the property?"
I shook my head.
"No."
Then I remembered something.
Grandma had owned a small building downtown.
Years ago, she operated a dressmaking shop there.
After she retired, the building was rented to several businesses.
I hadn't thought about it in years.
Marcus looked at me.
"Could this be connected to Vanessa's trust?"
"I don't know."
I stared toward the hallway.
Mom and Vanessa hadn't returned.
I felt exhausted.
Emotionally drained.
But I knew I couldn't ignore another family secret.
"Marcus, I need to find them."
He nodded.
"I'll come with you."
We walked into the hallway.
The music faded behind us.
Near the elevators, we heard raised voices.
Mom.
Vanessa.
I stopped.
"You had no right!" Vanessa shouted.
Mom answered quietly.
"Please lower your voice."
"Don't tell me what to do!"
I stepped around the corner.
They froze when they saw me.
Vanessa was holding the folder.
Mom looked devastated.
I raised my phone.
"What's this?"
Vanessa's expression changed.
"Who sent you that?"
"I don't know."
Mom looked at the screen.
Her face went pale.
"Nia..."
I stepped closer.
"No more secrets."
Marcus stood beside me.
Mom lowered her head.
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"Tell her."
I looked at Mom.
"Tell me what?"
She took a trembling breath.
"Your grandmother owned a building on Jackson Street."
"I know."
"She left it in a family trust."
I frowned.
"For who?"
Mom hesitated.
Vanessa answered.
"Me."
I stared at her.
"What?"
"Grandma wanted me to use the building for my fashion business."
My chest tightened.
I looked at Mom.
"Is that true?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
I felt anger rise.
"Then why didn't Vanessa have access to it?"
Mom began crying.
"Because I made another mistake."
Vanessa laughed.
"Another mistake?"
Mom looked at me.
"The building had a mortgage."
I frowned.
"Grandma always said it was paid off."
"It was."
"Then what happened?"
Mom swallowed.
"I borrowed against it."
The hallway went silent.
I stared at her.
"How much?"
She didn't answer.
Vanessa opened the folder.
"One hundred and eighty thousand dollars."
My heart dropped.
I looked at Mom.
"Why?"
Her eyes filled.
"After your father's surgery, the medical bills kept coming."
I shook my head.
"But Dad recovered."
"Yes. Then the business slowed down."
Mom had run a catering company for years.
I remembered the difficult months.
The canceled events.
The unpaid invoices.
But I hadn't realized how serious things became.
Mom continued.
"I thought I could repay the loan."
Vanessa stepped forward.
"But she couldn't."
Mom covered her face.
"And six months ago," Vanessa continued, "she signed an agreement to transfer the building."
I stared at her.
"To whom?"
She held up the document.
"A private investment company."
Marcus leaned forward.
"What's the company called?"
Vanessa pointed to the page.
"Brightstone Holdings."
He frowned.
"I've heard that name."
I turned toward him.
"Where?"
He thought for a moment.
"One of my clients mentioned them. They buy distressed commercial properties."
Vanessa's voice broke.
"They're going to sell Grandma's building."
I felt sick.
The building where Grandma had worked.
Where she had taught Vanessa to sketch dresses.
Where I had learned to sew.
The place that held so many childhood memories.
Mom had put it at risk.
And Vanessa had discovered it.
I looked at my sister.
"Is that why you've been so angry?"
She nodded.
Tears rolled down her face.
"I thought Mom was going to give you the building too."
I stared at her.
"Vanessa, I didn't even know about any of this."
She wiped her cheeks.
"I know that now."
The hallway became quiet.
Then Marcus spoke.
"Has the transfer been completed?"
Mom looked up.
"Not yet."
He straightened.
"Then there may still be options."
Vanessa stared at him.
"What?"
"I'm not a real estate attorney, but we can contact one."
I looked at Marcus.
"Do you think we can save it?"
"I don't know."
He squeezed my hand.
"But we can find out."
Mom began crying harder.
"I'm sorry."
I looked at her.
I loved my mother.
But love couldn't erase what she had done.
"Mom, we need a full accounting."
She nodded.
"Yes."
"Every loan. Every payment. Every document."
"Yes."
"And Vanessa needs an attorney representing her interests."
Mom covered her mouth.
"I understand."
I turned toward Vanessa.
She was staring at the floor.
"I won't let you lose Grandma's building without trying."
Her eyes filled.
"Why would you help me?"
I looked at her.
"Because you're my sister."
She started crying.
"But I ruined your wedding dress."
I swallowed.
"Yes, you did."
She stepped closer.
"I'm sorry."
The words were barely audible.
I stared at her.
She began crying harder.
"I was cruel. I wanted to hurt you. And I hate myself for it."
For the first time, I believed she understood what she'd done.
I felt tears rise.
"Vanessa..."
She shook her head.
"You don't have to forgive me."
I took a breath.
"Not today."
She nodded.
"I understand."
Then Marcus's phone rang.
He checked the screen.
His expression changed.
"What is it?" I asked.
He looked at me.
"It's my attorney friend, David."
I frowned.
"Why is he calling?"
Marcus answered.
After listening for several seconds, he looked toward Vanessa.
Then at Mom.
His face became serious.
"David says Brightstone Holdings may not actually own the rights they claim."
Vanessa stepped forward.
"What?"
Marcus listened again.
Then he asked a question.
"Are you sure?"
He went silent.
A moment later, he ended the call.
I grabbed his arm.
"Marcus, tell us."
May you like
He looked directly at me.
"There's evidence the property transfer agreement may have been altered after Claire signed it."
