Chapter 5 - The True Title
Diane clutches her wrist, her chest heaving as she stares at the splintered wood on the floor.
"Arthur..." she gasps, her voice suddenly losing its sharp edge.
"She was being ungrateful... she was going through my personal things—"
"Quiet, Diane," Arthur says, his eyes fixed entirely on her face.
He takes two slow, heavy steps forward, the tip of his cane clicking against the tiles.
Click. Click.
"Dad, listen to me," Mark steps out from behind the island, his hands held up in a placating gesture.
"It's just a misunderstanding between them. Emily has been stressed—"
Arthur raises his left hand, holding a single finger up in the air.
Mark stops talking instantly.
The old man reaches into the inner breast pocket of his cardigan.
He pulls out a thick, faded yellow envelope tied with a red string.
He throws it onto the wooden dining table, right over the scattered bills.
The string comes loose, revealing a stack of original land deeds stamped with a blue municipal seal from thirty years ago.
May you like
Arthur turns his head slowly toward Diane, his chin lifting just half an inch.
"Diane, you should fear whose house this really is..."
