“The property taxes are months overdue.”
His expression froze.
“The investment accounts supporting the trust were liquidated last year.”
“No.”
Lorraine’s voice came out almost as a whisper.
I continued.
“There are outstanding private loans.”
“Multiple liens.”
“And several lenders have already begun collection proceedings.”
Every sentence landed like another stone dropped into still water.
Ripples spread across the room.
Several relatives exchanged stunned looks.
One uncle slowly removed his glasses.
Another quietly asked,
“Lorraine…”
“…is that true?”
She refused to answer.
Instead she glared at me.
“Those are confidential financial matters.”
“They’re financial realities.”
I replied evenly.
“Very different things.”
Wade looked from me to his mother.
“Mom?”
She still said nothing.
His breathing became uneven.
“You told me the trust was stable.”
“It was.”
“When?”
“Years ago.”
“You told me the townhouse was fully paid off.”
“It practically is.”
“Practically?”
He sounded like a little boy discovering his parents weren’t superheroes after all.
I almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
Then I remembered him calmly explaining that eighteen hundred dollars was “generous.”
Lorraine suddenly straightened.
“This is irrelevant.”
“No.”
I said quietly.
“It explains everything.”
Everyone turned toward me.
“You didn’t ask me for rent to teach responsibility.”
I met Lorraine’s eyes.
“You asked because you needed cash.”
She flinched.
“You thought your new daughter-in-law was financially comfortable enough to help cover expenses…”
I closed the folder.
“…but not successful enough to notice what was happening.”
No one defended her.
Not even Wade.
The silence inside the penthouse became overwhelming.
Finally, Wade walked toward me.
Slowly.
Carefully.
His voice softened.
“Maren…”
“I had no idea.”
“I know.”
“I swear I didn’t know any of this.”
“I believe you.”
Relief briefly crossed his face.
Then I continued.
“But that’s not your biggest problem.”
His expression changed again.
“You still chose your mother’s side.”
He opened his mouth.
Closed it.
“I didn’t think—”
“I know.”
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