Chapter 8 - Ethan Remembers What He Ignored
Memory became cruel once Ethan knew what to look for.
Lauren had always framed her concern gently.
Your mom seems tired.
She forgot what day we were coming.
She asked me the same question twice.
Maybe she needs help.
Ethan had never asked Margaret directly.
He had simply started watching her.
Correcting her.
Offering to handle bills.
Once, he had even taken her car keys.
Only for one evening.
He remembered the look on her face.
Not anger.
Humiliation.
He looked at his mother now.
“I’m sorry.”
Margaret did not answer.
He continued.
“I believed her.”
“Yes.”
“I thought I was helping.”
“I know.”
That somehow hurt more.
Lauren wiped her face.
“I wasn’t inventing everything.”
Margaret turned.
“What wasn’t invented?”
“You did forget things.”
“I’m sixty-eight.”
“You missed a doctor’s appointment.”
“Because you changed the time.”
Ethan looked at Lauren.
She went pale.
Margaret continued.
“You told Robert I misplaced trust documents.”
Robert nodded.
“They were in my office because Lauren had asked to review them.”
Ethan stared.
Every concern had an explanation.
And Lauren had been close to each one.
Then Robert pulled out another page.
A medical release form.
It authorized a memory-clinic assessment for Margaret.
The signature appeared to be Ethan’s.
Again.
Almost.
But not quite.
Ethan whispered, “I never signed this.”
Lauren covered her mouth.
Margaret’s eyes hardened.
“Jason did more than file one deed.”
Ethan looked at his wife.
“How far did this go?”
Lauren shook her head.
“I didn’t know about that form.”
“Do you expect me to believe you?”
“No.”
The word came out broken.
Then she said something unexpected.
“But I think Jason was planning to cut me out too.”
May you like
Everyone looked at her.
And for the first time, fear entered Lauren’s face that had nothing to do with being caught.
