Chapter 2
The silence that followed the clerk's declaration felt heavier than the moving boxes Leo was struggling to hold. Elena stared at the red "PAID" stamp, her breath catching in her throat as her eyes traced the looping signature at the bottom of the paperwork. It was unmistakably written by her younger brother, Julian, yet Julian had been out of the state for the past two weeks attending a heavy machinery convention in Chicago. How could he have signed a lease renewal document in person yesterday afternoon?
"That signature is impossible," Elena whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she pointed a shaking finger at the paper. "My brother Julian has been in Illinois since last Tuesday. He couldn't possibly have signed this document."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, picking up the paperwork folder and checking the timestamp on the digital verification attached to the back page.
"Ma'am, our office policy requires either the tenant in person or a verified electronic power of attorney," Arthur explained, his tone polite but firm. "This document was presented yesterday at three in the afternoon, accompanied by a valid state identification card matching the name on the lease."
Clara stepped forward, her golden satin top catching the overhead light as she tossed her brown hair over her shoulder with an air of absolute triumph.
"Maybe your brother is tired of covering for your financial failures, Elena," Clara mocked, stepping closer to the desk and snatching the brass keys up in her manicured hand. "Julian came back early just to make sure you and your little burden finally cleared out of the property."
Leo looked down at his sneakers, his lower lip trembling as he gripped the cardboard box so tightly his knuckles turned white. Elena felt a hot tear slip down her cheek, but she blinked it away, refusing to show weakness in front of Clara. She knew Julian would never go behind her back like this, especially not after they had spent months planning this transitional living arrangement together following her divorce.
"You're lying," Elena said, her voice dropping to a dangerous, icy whisper. "Julian didn't come back early. I spoke to him on the phone an hour ago."
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Clara paused, her smile faltering for a fraction of a second before she recovered her composure. She pocketed the keys and turned toward the glass exit doors, her grey pants swishing with every calculated step.
"Call him right now, then," Clara challenged over her shoulder. "Put him on speakerphone and let him tell you who actually pays the rent on this property."
