Chapter 7: My Son Came Back With a Threat
Daniel was standing beside Richard Hayes in my driveway, holding a folder against his chest.
I watched them through the living room window.
Richard checked his watch. Daniel looked toward the house, then down at the folder. Even from a distance, I could see the tension in his shoulders.
Thomas stood beside me.
“Don't let them intimidate you,” he whispered.
I turned toward him.
“Did Robert ever tell you what happened after he stopped Daniel's first attempt to sell the land?””
Thomas shook his head.
“He told me he had handled it. He wouldn't discuss the details.””
Before I could ask anything else, the doorbell rang.
Three sharp presses.
I walked toward the entrance.
Thomas followed.
I opened the door but kept one hand on the frame.
“Good afternoon, Richard.””
“Margaret.””
He looked past me at Thomas.
“Thomas. I didn't expect to see you here.””
Thomas folded his arms.
“Apparently, none of us expected to see each other.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Mom, can we come inside?””
“No.””
He looked embarrassed.
“Please. We need to settle this.””
I glanced at the folder.
“What's that?””
Richard answered.
“An updated agreement. There have been some administrative complications, and we want to make sure everything is handled properly.””
“Administrative complications?””
“Nothing serious.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Is that what you told yourself when you submitted a loan application with my signature?””
His face went pale.
Richard immediately intervened.
“Let's be careful with accusations.””
“I'm being careful. That's why my attorney has copies of everything.””
Richard's expression changed.
“Your attorney?””
“Yes.””
Daniel looked at me.
“You hired a lawyer?””
“I already had one.””
“Mom, this is family business.””
I almost smiled.
“Then perhaps you should have treated it like family business before using my identity.””
Richard opened the folder.
“Margaret, I think you're reacting emotionally. We've prepared a much simpler arrangement. You retain ownership of the property while allowing our company to develop it. In return, you receive a guaranteed annual payment.””
“How much?””
“Thirty thousand dollars.””
I stared at him.
“For land worth considerably more?””
“It's a starting figure.””
“And how long would your company control the property?””
Richard glanced at the paperwork.
“Fifteen years, with renewal options.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
He sighed.
“You haven't even considered the potential return.””
“I have. That's why I'm refusing.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Mom, please. This could change our lives.””
I looked at him.
“Whose lives?””
“Mine and Tiffany's.””
“And what happens to mine?””
He frowned.
“You still own the land.””
“According to this agreement, your company would control its development and could use it to secure financing.””
Richard closed the folder.
“That's standard practice.””
“Then find another property owner.””
He looked at me for several seconds.
Then he said, “You know, Margaret, the property has become a burden. Taxes, maintenance, insurance. You aren't getting any younger.””
Thomas moved closer.
“Watch your mouth, Richard.””
Richard ignored him.
“I'm simply trying to be practical.””
I looked directly at Daniel.
“Did you know this company was registered using my home address?””
Daniel swallowed.
“We needed a business address.””
“You don't live here.””
“We were going to change it.””
“When?””
He didn't answer.
“Did you use my property documents without permission?””
“Mom, I was trying to create something.””
“By pretending I agreed?””
He lowered his voice.
“I thought you would eventually understand.””
I stared at him.
“You have mistaken my love for permission.””
Richard stepped between us.
“This conversation is becoming unproductive.””
“Then leave.””
He gave a short laugh.
“You should think carefully before making decisions that could affect your son's future.””
I looked at him.
“My son's future is not my responsibility to finance forever.””
Daniel's expression hardened.
“Dad wouldn't want this.””
The words hit me like a slap.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I looked toward Robert's photograph in the hallway.
“Don't use your father to justify what you're doing.””
Daniel shook his head.
“You always do this. You bring Dad into everything.””
“Because he was a good man, Daniel. And he would never have asked me to surrender my security so you could impress your wife's father.””
Richard closed the folder.
“Fine. We'll let the lawyers handle it.””
He turned toward the driveway.
Daniel stayed behind.
“Mom, can I talk to you alone?””
I looked at Thomas.
He nodded and stepped into the hallway.
Daniel moved closer.
His voice became quieter.
“Mom, Tiffany is pregnant.””
I froze.
“What?””
“She found out last week.””
I searched his face.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because everything has been difficult.””
I felt my anger briefly give way to shock.
“Daniel…”
“We're going to have a baby. I want my child to grow up with security. I want to build something for my family.””
I looked at him for a long moment.
“Is that why you're trying to take my land?””
“I'm not trying to take it.””
“Then why did you submit documents without my permission?””
He looked away.
“Richard said it was temporary.””
“Did he also say it was acceptable to copy my signature?””
Daniel didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
“Listen to me. If you're going to be a father, you need to understand something. A child doesn't need a grandfather's land more than he needs parents who know the difference between right and wrong.””
Daniel's jaw tightened.
“You don't understand what it's like trying to build a life when everything costs so much.””
“I understand more than you think. Your father and I started with almost nothing.””
“That's different.””
“No. It's exactly the same. We worked for what we had.””
He looked down.
Then he said something that made my heart ache.
“Tiffany says you never wanted us to succeed.””
I stared at him.
“Your wife is wrong.””
“She thinks you're jealous.””
“Of what?””
“Our marriage. Our future. Everything.””
I slowly shook my head.
“Daniel, I gave you the wedding I could afford, and then I gave you more than I could afford. I sold part of your father's land. I canceled my dream trip. I did all of that because I wanted you happy.””
He said nothing.
“But I will not give you the rest of my life just because you have decided that my money belongs to you.””
He stepped back.
“Fine.””
I watched him walk toward the SUV.
Richard was already inside.
Daniel opened the passenger door, then turned around.
“One day, you'll regret choosing money over your son.””
I looked at him.
“One day, I hope you'll understand that I was choosing the truth over a lie.””
He got in.
The SUV disappeared down the road.
Thomas returned to the living room.
“Are you all right?””
I sat down.
“He says Tiffany is pregnant.””
Thomas lowered himself into the opposite chair.
“Does that change anything?””
I looked at him.
“No.””
And I meant it.
An hour later, Helen called.
“Margaret, I need you to come to my office tomorrow. We've received the first formal response from the property registry.””
“Is the loan stopped?””
“Temporarily. But there's something else.””
“What?””
“The lender has submitted a supporting document claiming that you personally attended a meeting and approved the arrangement.””
My stomach tightened.
“I never attended any meeting.””
“I know. But the document includes a date, a location, and a witness statement.””
“Whose statement?””
Helen paused.
“Richard Hayes.””
I closed my eyes.
Then she added, “And Margaret, the meeting supposedly took place at your home.””
I looked toward the front door.
The same door where Daniel had just stood.
May you like
The same house they had used as a business address.
And suddenly, I wondered whether they had been preparing this long before the wedding.
