Chapter 8 - The Hidden Truth
Detective Miller plugged the USB drive into his secure laptop and clicked on the only file.
The crisp video instantly showed Daniela and David standing arrogantly on my front porch.
The audio clearly picked up David mocking me, actively admitting to his urgent debts, and boasting about the signed paperwork.
"This completely corroborates her story that David was the primary catalyst for the sale," Miller noted, rubbing his chin.
"It proves that he masterminded the financial motive, but she still willingly participated in the forgery," I corrected him.
Miller looked at me with a mixture of profound respect and slight terror.
"You could have given this to the arresting officers last night to save your daughter from being locked in a holding cell," he said.
"She needed to spend the night in a cold cell to truly understand the absolute value of a safe home," I replied.
I asked the detective to open the door to the interrogation room so I could speak with my daughter.
I walked into the sterile room, and Daniela immediately snapped her head up.
"Mom!" she cried out, launching herself forward to grab my hands across the metal table.
I did not pull away, but I did not return her desperate grip.
"David threw you to the wolves to save his own skin, Daniela," I stated calmly.
"I know, I was so stupid, I am so sorry for everything I did to you," she sobbed, tears dripping onto my knuckles.
"Apologies do not erase the fact that you left me standing on a sidewalk with nowhere to go," I reminded her.
"Please, Mom, the police said I am going to federal prison, you have to help me," she begged.
I reached into my designer handbag and pulled out a fresh, legally binding contract drafted by my lawyer earlier that morning.
"I have already given the detective the video footage that will completely exonerate you from the federal fraud charges," I said.
Daniela let out a massive gasp of relief, attempting to kiss my hands in gratitude.
"However," I interrupted sharply, sliding the contract across the metal table toward her.
She looked down at the thick document, completely confused by the legal jargon on the first page.
"This is an absolute and irrevocable relinquishment of all your rights to the family estate, my assets, and my will," I explained.
Daniela stared at me, her mouth slightly open in pure shock.
"If you sign this, you walk out of this police station a free woman with absolutely nothing to your name," I continued.
"If you refuse to sign it, I will take my video evidence and walk out that door, leaving you to fight David's lies in court alone."
She looked at the pen resting on the table, her hands trembling violently.
"You are completely cutting me out of the family?" she whispered brokenly.
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"You cut yourself out the moment you changed the lock on my front door," I said coldly.
With a shaking hand, Daniela picked up the pen and signed her name on the dotted line.
