Home Entertainment Game Technology Advertisement Part 2: For eight years, my parents made me leave the house every time my brother brought his fiance over; Mom said, “She comes from a good family, don’t embarrass us”; Dad added, “Just disappear for the weekend”; I did; then one weekend, I never came back; it took them four years to find out where I went.

Then Mara opened a second folder.

“There's another reason Avery found you now.”

Avery looked down.

I turned.

“What?”

She twisted her wedding ring.

“Mitch and I are separated.”

I stared.

“When?”

“Three months ago.”

“Because of this?”

“Not originally.”

She took a breath.

“Because I found out he'd lied about other things.”

Money.

A second credit card.

A business loan in both their names that Avery claimed she hadn't properly understood.

Nothing as dramatic as my false death.

Enough.

During financial disclosure for their separation, her attorney requested property records.

That was how Avery found the deed to Grandma's parcel.

A transfer from June's estate to Mitch.

Attached supporting affidavit:

Stacey Benton deceased.

Avery recognized the name.

Then she found the insurance documents in an old family scan folder.

“Why did you believe I was dead for eight years but suddenly question it?”

I asked.

Avery looked at me.