Part 7

Victor came with his own attorney and a stack of bank statements. James did not attend. Their lawyer said the low sale price reflected necessary repairs. Our independent contractor had inspected the building that morning and found no evidence supporting the largest claimed expense.

Maya's emails showed that Victor had repeatedly assured her I approved the deal. The title company supplied a record identifying the account used to submit the disputed signature. The bank was still investigating the reserve transfer. Nothing about those findings required me to shout; each document could be examined on its own.

Victor finally admitted he had used my scanned signature. “I thought you would agree once you saw the offer,” he said.

“I had already said no.”

He looked at the tabletop. “James was in trouble. I thought I could fix it.”

The explanation was not a defense. Our attorneys arranged for the sale submission to be withdrawn, and I asked my accountant to document the reserve. We would pursue recovery through the proper channels rather than make promises about an outcome we couldn't control.

After the meeting, Maya asked whether I wanted her statement. She had consulted her own lawyer and was ready to give a factual account of what Victor told her. I thanked her. Neither of us pretended we were friends, but neither of us needed to protect his lie.

Outside, Victor asked whether there was any chance for our marriage. I thought of Room 714, the papers on the floor, and the tenants who believed they had been sold.

“No,” I said.