Chapter 6: The Signature That Wasn't His
Marcus stared at the financial guarantee.
He enlarged the document on his phone.
The signature was supposed to be his.
It had the same first initial, the same exaggerated curve at the end of his surname, and the same small mark he usually made when signing quickly.
But he hadn't signed it.
He opened the email again and downloaded the attachment.
The document stated that Marcus personally guaranteed any additional expenses incurred by the bride or wedding planner.
The amount was not capped.
He read it twice.
Then he called the venue.
“Good afternoon,” a woman answered.
“I'm Marcus Hale. I received a payment authorization document this morning.””
“Certainly, Mr. Hale.””
“I need to know when this document was submitted.””
“One moment, please.””
He waited.
The woman returned.
“It was submitted yesterday afternoon by Ms. Vanessa Reed.””
“Did I authorize it?””
There was a brief pause.
“Our records show your signature.””
“I didn't sign it.””
The woman became noticeably more careful.
“I understand.””
“Has any money been withdrawn?””
“No, sir. The authorization hasn't been processed.””
“Good. Put a hold on the document.””
“Of course.””
“And please send me the original submission, including the email address it came from.””
“We can do that.””
Marcus ended the call.
He sat at the kitchen island, staring at the signature.
His mind raced through the possibilities.
Maybe Vanessa had misunderstood the paperwork.
Maybe she had copied his signature from another document.
Maybe there was an innocent explanation.
He wanted there to be one.
But the memory of Lauren's messages kept returning.
He called her.
“Lauren, I need to ask you something.””
“Of course.””
“Did Vanessa tell you I had approved the financial guarantee?””
Lauren went quiet.
“She said you had discussed it.””
“We haven't.””
“Marcus, I was worried about that.””
“Why?””
“Because she asked me to send the final invoice directly to her, but she also insisted your name remain on the payment guarantee.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“Did you question her?””
“Yes. She said you preferred handling the finances privately.””
He looked at the document again.
“Lauren, I never signed anything.””
“I understand.””
“Please preserve every email and attachment involving that authorization.””
“I will.””
“And don't discuss this with Vanessa yet.””
Lauren paused.
“Are you sure?””
“Yes.””
After the call, Marcus drove to his mother's house.
Evelyn was in the kitchen preparing soup.
She looked surprised when he entered.
“Sweetheart, you should have called. I would have made something special.””
“Mom, I need your advice.””
She turned off the stove.
“What's happened?””
Marcus showed her the document.
Evelyn adjusted her reading glasses and examined the signature.
“Is this supposed to be yours?””
“Yes.””
“Did you sign it?””
“No.””
She looked at him carefully.
“Then why is your name there?””
“That's what I'm trying to find out.””
Evelyn sat down.
“Marcus, don't sign anything else until you understand what's happening.””
He nodded.
“I'm beginning to think I don't know Vanessa as well as I thought.””
His mother reached across the table.
“Don't make a decision because you're angry. Make it because you understand.””
He smiled sadly.
“That's what Dad used to say.””
Evelyn glanced toward the hallway.
“Your father believed a person's character was easiest to see when they thought nobody important was watching.””
Marcus looked at her.
“What do you mean?””
She shook her head.
“Nothing. Just something he used to say.””
They sat quietly for a moment.
Then Evelyn asked whether he had eaten.
Marcus laughed despite himself.
“Yes, Mom.””
“Good. Because you're getting married soon, and I don't want you looking exhausted in the photographs.””
He smiled.
“I want you in every photograph.””
Evelyn looked down at her hands.
“I would like that.””
For a brief moment, Marcus felt the familiar warmth of being home.
Then his phone rang.
Vanessa.
He answered.
“Hello?””
“Where are you?””
“At my mother's.””
There was a sharp silence.
“Again?””
“She's my mother, Vanessa.””
“I need you to come home.””
“Why?””
“Because there's a problem with the wedding payment.””
Marcus looked at the financial document on his screen.
“What problem?””
“Apparently, the venue is questioning the authorization.””
“Because I didn't sign it.””
Vanessa stopped speaking.
Then she laughed nervously.
“What are you talking about?””
“The signature on the guarantee.””
“Marcus, don't start.””
“Did you sign my name?””
Her voice dropped.
“I was handling paperwork. You know how busy we've been.””
“That's not an answer.””
“I was going to discuss it with you.””
“When?””
“After the wedding.””
Marcus stared at the table.
“After the wedding?””
“Marcus, the venue needed confirmation. I was trying to prevent unnecessary delays.””
“You used my name without permission.””
“It's our wedding!””
“That doesn't make my signature yours.””
Vanessa sighed loudly.
“Can you stop acting like I've committed a crime?””
He didn't answer.
She continued.
“My father told me to get everything finalized. He said it would be easier if the guarantee was under your name because you have a stronger financial profile.””
Marcus felt his jaw tighten.
“Your father knew?””
“He was helping.””
“Helping you put my name on a document I never signed?””
“Don't twist everything.””
He stood.
“I'm coming home.””
“Good. And Marcus?””
“What?””
“Don't tell your mother about this. She'll make it into another family drama.””
He ended the call.
Evelyn was watching him.
“What happened?””
Marcus hesitated.
Then he told her everything.
His mother listened without interrupting.
When he finished, she placed her hand over his.
“Be careful, sweetheart.””
“I will.””
He kissed her forehead and left.
At the apartment, Vanessa was pacing near the living room.
Her phone was pressed against her ear.
“Yes, Dad. I'll handle it.””
She noticed Marcus entering and immediately ended the call.
“We need to fix this.””
Marcus placed his keys on the counter.
“Tell me exactly what happened.””
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“I told you. The venue needed a guarantee, and I signed the form.””
“You signed my name.””
“I was going to tell you.””
“You already said that.””
She threw her hands into the air.
“Marcus, you're making this sound much worse than it is!””
“Then explain why you thought you could do it.””
“Because we're getting married!””
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then he asked the question that made her expression change.
“Vanessa, what else have you signed using my name?””
She blinked.
“Nothing.””
“Look me in the eye.””
“I just told you.””
He took out his phone.
“I've contacted the venue. They're preserving the original paperwork.””
Vanessa's face drained of color.
“You contacted them?””
“Yes.””
“You had no right to embarrass me like that.””
Marcus gave a short, disbelieving laugh.
“Embarrass you?””
She grabbed her handbag.
“I'm calling my father.””
“Good. Ask him why he thought this was acceptable.””
Vanessa marched toward the bedroom.
But her phone, which she had left on the kitchen island, lit up with a new notification.
Marcus glanced at it.
A message appeared from a contact saved as *Dad*.
Did he find out about the apartment deposit too?
Marcus stopped breathing.
A second message appeared.
Don't let him cancel the wedding before we transfer the remaining money.
He stared at the screen.
Then he slowly looked toward the bedroom door.
Vanessa was still inside.
May you like
And suddenly, the forged signature wasn't the biggest problem anymore.
*What apartment deposit was her father talking about?*
