Chapter 9: The Signature That Wasn’t Mine
Isabella turned back slowly.
“That refund was mine.
It came from the floral deposit I paid.”
Evan held up the form.
“Then why is the bride’s name signed at the bottom?”
“She authorized it.”
“I did not,” I said.
“You agreed when we discussed changing the centerpieces.”
“We never discussed a refund.”
Isabella looked at Nathan.
“Tell them.
You knew I was owed money.”
“I knew you wanted the florist to reduce the order.
I never approved a payment to your account.”
Evan compared the signature with the contract.
“The letters don’t match, and the electronic submission came through the wedding account after the password was reset.”
Isabella reached for the paper.
“That document is confidential.”
“It is evidence,” Evan replied.
“Of a family misunderstanding.”
“You signed my name,” I said.
“I recovered money that belonged to me.”
“Then you should have used your own name.”
She looked around for support, but even Nathan’s father stepped away from her.
“Isabella,” he said, “give them the phone.”
“You have no right to tell me what to do.”
“I should have spoken years ago.
Give them the phone.”
Ruth held out her hand.
“I’ll remain while they copy the messages.”
“You would enjoy that.”
“No.
I won’t enjoy any of this.”
Isabella glanced at the exit.
One security employee moved in front of it while Evan called the venue owner.
Nathan lowered his voice.
“Cooperate, Mom.”
“And if I don’t?”
“The venue will make a formal complaint, and we will provide the photographs, recording, emails, and footage.”
“You would do that to your own mother?”
“You did this to yourself.”
Isabella looked at me one last time.
“This family will blame you for every consequence.”
I met her stare.
“Then they can watch the evidence too.”
Her shoulders dropped.
She placed the phone in Ruth’s hand.
“This is not over.”
“For tonight, it is,” Nathan said.
The security employees escorted her through the outer door.
She did not look back.
Evan placed the refund form in a clear folder.
“The owner will preserve everything.
You both need to decide tomorrow how you wish to proceed.”
“No,” I said.
“I’ve spent all day letting Isabella decide what happens next.
Please file the complaint.”
Nathan nodded.
“And send us copies of every document.”
May you like
Evan sealed the folder.
“I will.”
