Chapter 14
This is exactly the kind of behavior I’m talking about.”
I ignored him.
“I came for my personal documents, clothes, and medical records.”
He moved toward me.
“You’re not taking anything until we discuss the estate.”
I stopped.
“Get out of my way, Caleb.”
His eyes widened slightly.
I had never spoken to him like that.
“You’re acting irrationally.”
“No.
I’m asking you to move.”
He glanced toward the security officer waiting outside the open doorway.
Then he stepped aside.
I walked into the bedroom that had once been ours.
My clothes were still hanging in the closet, but his carefully selected suits filled most of the space.
I opened my bedside drawer.
The velvet box containing my wedding jewelry was still there.
So was a small envelope holding handwritten cards Caleb had given me during our first year together.
I picked one up.
You are my whole world.
For a moment, I almost laughed.
Then I put it down.
I collected the documents I needed, including copies of my identification, medical information, and records bearing my genuine signature.
On the desk near the window, I noticed another stack of papers.
The top sheet was labeled Voting Authorization.
Beneath it was a page containing my name and what appeared to be my signature.
I recognized the same unnatural curve I had seen on the copy in my father’s folder.
I photographed the page.
Caleb appeared in the doorway.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking at paperwork.”
“That’s confidential.”
“My name is on it.”
His eyes moved toward the document.
“Put that down.”
I looked at him.
“When did I sign this?”
“You signed a lot of things, Eleanor.”
“When?”
He hesitated.
“Last month.”
“Which day?”
“How am I supposed to remember?”
I held the paper where he could see it.
“You told me I didn’t need to sign anything until after my father died.”
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
“You were tired,” he said.
“You don’t remember everything.”
Vanessa appeared behind him.
“Caleb, perhaps you should let her finish packing.”
I looked at her.
“Did you witness me signing this?”
She froze.
Caleb answered before she could.
“She doesn’t need to answer your questions.”
I set the document down exactly where I had found it.
“I think everyone will have questions soon.”
Caleb’s face turned dark red.
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”
I picked up my bag.