“He says Daniel has been extorting him.”
Richard placed a folder on the table.
“Here is your consent form, notarized and witnessed.
Here are Daniel’s payment receipts.
And here is his signed promise never to contact Lily.”
I picked up the consent form.
“This isn’t my signature.”
“Prove it.”
“You forged it.”
“You were desperate for a child.
You agreed, then decided you didn’t want to remember the details.”
My hand came up, but Ruth caught my wrist and held it against her chest.
“Don’t let him turn your pain into his evidence,” she whispered.
Richard pushed a set of papers toward me.
“Sign the divorce settlement.
You keep the house, Lily keeps her trust, and Daniel disappears.”
“And if I refuse?”
“The bank calls the loan.
The house is sold.”
Lily stared at him.
“You said Mom knew about the loan.”
“She did.”
“I did not,” I said.
