But when I examined it closely, I noticed the unnatural consistency of the lettering.

Someone appeared to have copied my name rather than written it naturally.

Then Elena checked the notarization.

The notary stamp belonged to a woman who had stopped practicing eight months before the alleged signing.

When contacted, the former notary denied witnessing the document.

She also provided travel records establishing that she’d been outside the country when the signing supposedly occurred.

The county had identified problems with the transfer.

But part of the paperwork had already been entered into its electronic index before the defects were detected.

That incomplete record apparently helped my parents assemble a title packet that looked convincing to anyone who didn’t examine the entire ownership history.

Jake hadn’t examined it.

Madison apparently had.

And I had proof.

I removed a printed email from my folder and placed it on the dining table.

It had been recovered during the lender’s investigation.