Chapter 7 - Brooke Was Never Just the Mistress
Brooke’s real name was Brooke Ellison.
Ruby knew that much.
But the investigator found a second driver’s license inside Brooke’s purse.
Brooke Carter.
The address listed Jameson’s house.
The document appeared authentic.
Ruby looked at Jameson.
“Did you marry her?”
“No!”
Brooke immediately answered, “Not legally.”
The officer’s eyebrows rose.
Eliana covered her face.
Ruby remained still.
“What does that mean?”
Brooke looked at Jameson.
He said nothing.
So she explained.
Months earlier, Jameson and Brooke held a private commitment ceremony in Tennessee.
No license was filed.
But Brooke began using his surname socially and on several business documents.
Jameson had created a property-management company.
Brooke was listed as operations director.
The company intended to lease the house after Ruby signed the divorce settlement.
Ruby would be removed.
Brooke would move in publicly.
Then Jameson’s company would claim rental income and refinance the property.
The house was only the first asset.
Jameson had also identified Ruby’s grandfather’s remaining investments.
He believed marriage gave him access.
It did not.
But he had already attempted to submit a beneficiary-change request.
Ruby’s stomach turned.
“You were trying to take everything.”
Jameson’s voice broke.
“I was trying to protect our future.”
“Our future?”
He glanced at Brooke.
Ruby understood the answer.
Not Ruby’s future.
His future with Brooke.
Eliana stepped between them.
“My son made mistakes because you pushed him away.”
Ruby looked at her.
“You forged my signature.”
“I protected what belonged to this family.”
“It belonged to me.”
Eliana pointed toward the house.
“That child would have inherited all of it eventually.”
Ruby tightened her hold on her daughter.
“You were willing to remove her mother to control her inheritance.”
Eliana’s face hardened.
She had no response.
Rachel quietly told Ruby that the false-license issue could indicate bank fraud or identity manipulation.
But Brooke was no innocent outsider.
She had signed business filings.
She had accepted mail at the home.
She had helped prepare photographs showing the house as Jameson’s separate property.
Brooke saw the investigator examining her phone.
Then she turned on Jameson.
“You said Ruby already agreed.”
Jameson whispered, “You knew she hadn’t.”
“You said she would sign today.”
“And you said you’d wait inside.”
Brooke looked down at the robe.
May you like
The silk suddenly seemed less like a trophy and more like evidence.
👉 Brooke’s panic exposed the fake rental company—but the company’s bank account revealed where part of Ruby’s missing inheritance had gone.
