Chapter 4 - THE MAPLE RIDGE HOUSE
Rachel discovered Linda had transferred the old Maple Ridge family bungalow to Vanessa six years earlier.
Price:
$1.
Vanessa sold it four years later for $412,000.
Rachel had never known.
“Why hide it?”
Vanessa answered:
“Because Mom said you’d think I was getting more.”
“You were.”
“I needed somewhere safe after David.”
That part was fair.
Then Rachel saw where some of the sale proceeds went.
$120,000 into a custodial investment account for Sophie.
Opened before Vanessa’s adoption was finalized.
Linda had signed the funding instruction.
Why?
Vanessa said:
“Mom wanted Sophie’s future protected.”
Then an old email surfaced.
Linda to Vanessa:
Sophie must always know she saved you. One day she should understand what we gave up to keep you together.
Rachel stared.
“What did we give up?”
Vanessa looked away.
Then said:
May you like
“Part of Grandma’s estate.”
Rachel froze.
