Chapter 2: What He Signed in October
She didn't sleep.
By 6 a.m., the widow was sitting at the kitchen table with her phone in her hand, reading Megan's message again.
*"Ask your son what he signed in October."*
When Robert arrived at the cottage that morning, she didn't raise her voice.
She simply placed her phone on the table, screen up, and waited.
He saw the message.
His jaw tightened.
"That's between me and Megan."
"It involves my house," she said.
"So it involves me."
Robert pulled out a chair and sat down heavily.
He wouldn't look at her.
"It was nothing official.
A letter of intent.
Megan found a developer — someone interested in coastal properties.
She said it was just to see what the place was worth."
The widow went very still.
"You signed a letter of intent on a property you do not own."
"I thought—"
"You thought it was already yours."
Robert opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
From the hallway, a door opened.
Megan stepped into the kitchen, still in her coat, as if she had been waiting outside.
She looked at the widow without flinching.
"The developer is still interested.
That doesn't have to be a problem."
The widow looked at her son.
Then at Megan.
"Who else signed that letter?"
May you like
Megan's expression didn't change.
But her hand moved — just slightly — toward her bag.
