Chapter 11 - THE FRAME-UP
I didn't panic when Sergey told me about Mercer's threat.
I wanted to.
Every instinct in my body urged me to imagine the worst.
What if investigators believed the forged documents?
What if my name appeared on accounts I had never opened?
What if the divorce became a public scandal?
What if Liza suffered because of accusations against me?
But I had learned something over the previous weeks.
Fear became more dangerous when I allowed it to make decisions for me.
So I called Victoria.
She listened.
Then she said:
"Don't contact Mercer. Preserve everything. We'll notify the appropriate investigators and your husband's attorney."
I followed her instructions.
The next morning, Victoria showed me copies of several documents that had surfaced during the investigation.
One listed me as an authorized financial adviser to Meridian.
Another contained what appeared to be my signature.
A third referenced a transfer from an account I had never owned.
I stared at the papers.
"This is absurd."
Victoria nodded.
"We have records that may help establish you were not involved."
I looked at her.
"What records?"
"Your employment history. Travel records. Banking records. The timing of the disputed signatures."
I felt a small measure of relief.
For years, I had carefully maintained calendars, receipts, and household records.
Sergey used to tease me about it.
He called me overly cautious.
Now those records might protect me.
The investigation continued.
Meanwhile, the divorce moved forward.
Sergey had temporarily relocated to Valentina's house after consulting his attorney.
Liza remained with me in the apartment, while arrangements for contact with her father were discussed through counsel.
Nothing about the process was easy.
Liza missed him.
Some evenings, she sat by the window waiting for his call.
Other evenings, she refused to speak about him.
I didn't force her.
I arranged counseling with a licensed family therapist.
At first, Liza resisted.
"I don't need a therapist."
I smiled gently.
"Maybe not. But you deserve someone you can talk to who isn't caught in the middle."
She considered that.
Then she agreed to try.
A week later, she returned from her first appointment looking thoughtful.
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"My therapist said I can love Dad and still be angry with him."
I felt tears sting my eyes.
"She's right."
Liza nodded.
"That makes things a little easier."
I hugged her.
For the first time in weeks, I felt we were moving toward something healthier.
Not happiness yet.
But honesty.
And perhaps honesty was where healing began.
Three days later, Victoria called.
Her voice sounded unusually serious.
"Natalya, the investigators found a connection between Mercer and the forged property authorization."
I sat down.
"What kind of connection?"
"A payment to the person who notarized the disputed document. They're examining whether the notarization was fraudulent."
My heart began pounding.
"Does that mean the claim against my apartment can be removed?"
"We're making progress, but the legal process isn't finished."
I closed my eyes.
"Thank God."
Then Victoria continued.
"There's another development."
I opened my eyes.
"What?"
"Mercer's attorney has approached investigators about a possible cooperation agreement."
I frowned.
"Why would he cooperate?"
"He may be trying to reduce his own exposure."
"And what does he want to provide?"
Victoria paused.
"Evidence concerning Valentina and Irina."
I felt cold.
"What kind of evidence?"
"Communications and financial records."
I looked toward the window.
Outside, the first snow of the season had begun falling.
May you like
Then Victoria said something that made my breath catch.
"Natalya, those records suggest your mother-in-law was planning to claim your inheritance even before your grandmother passed away."
