Chapter 19 - THE ANSWER THEY NEVER EXPECTED|
The investigation reached its turning point six weeks later.
Owen and Ethan were formally charged in connection with the fraudulent loan documents and financial scheme. The bank confirmed that the loan guarantee was invalid, and the funds connected to my identity were frozen.
Brooke agreed to cooperate.
She and Ethan separated. My parents stopped calling every day, though my mother still sent messages asking when we could all sit down and heal.
I wasn't ready.
I had started therapy with a counselor who specialized in pregnancy and infant loss. Some days I could make breakfast, go to work, and return home without crying.
Other days, I couldn't walk past the nursery.
Healing wasn't a straight line.
It was a series of mornings when I chose to get out of bed.
The divorce proceedings began.
Owen's attorney requested that the settlement include a waiver of claims against his business.
Evelyn rejected it.
“You don't owe him a clean exit,” she told me.
I wanted the divorce finalized. I wanted my name removed from the loan, my accounts restored, and the house protected.
I didn't want his money.
I wanted my life back.
Then, three days before the final settlement conference, my entire family appeared at my door again.
My mother.
My father.
Brooke.
And Owen.
I stood in the doorway, stunned.
“What are you doing here?”
My father stepped forward.
“We need to talk.”
“About what?”
Owen held a folder.
“There's an agreement.”
I almost laughed.
“Another one?”
My mother looked nervous.
“Please, Natalie. Just hear us out.”
I stepped aside, but I didn't invite them to sit.
Owen placed the folder on the table.
“The business is in serious trouble. The lender is demanding repayment. If the property deal collapses, several people will lose their jobs.”
I looked at him.
“That's unfortunate.”
He continued.
“The house is the only asset that can secure a refinancing arrangement.”
I stared.
“You want my house.”
“We can make it temporary.”
“No.”
My father raised his voice.
“Natalie, listen. This could save the business and protect the family.”
I turned toward him.
“What family?”
He looked uncomfortable.
“Owen has admitted what he did. Brooke has apologized. We all know mistakes were made.”
I looked at my sister.
She couldn't meet my eyes.
My mother stepped closer.
“Your grandmother left you the house and the trust. You have enough to start over. Owen is asking for one final chance to make things right.”
I looked at the folder.
The agreement would transfer the house into a holding company and make me responsible for a new loan.
It was worse than the first arrangement.
They wanted me to risk the one thing my grandmother had left me, so the people who had betrayed me could save their business.
Three days after Lily's death, they had wanted me to leave my home.
Now they wanted me to hand it over.
Owen reached for my hand.
“Please, Natalie. We can rebuild.”
I pulled away.
“You couldn't stand beside me when our daughter was born. Why should I trust you with the home she never got to see?”
He lowered his head.
My father said, “Don't make this about the baby.”
I looked at him.
“It's about the baby. It's about every promise you all made me break alone.”
Then I picked up the agreement.
May you like
I turned to the final page.
And I tore it in half.
