Chapter 8 - THE DAUGHTER WHO COULD SAVE THEM
My father placed the foreclosure notice on the framing table.
“You understand financing. You can fix this.”
“I understand it well enough to know Tyler’s project is insolvent.”
“It needs time.”
“It needs more paying customers than the local market can support, lower construction costs and debt that does not mature in six weeks.”
Tyler stepped forward.
“You haven’t even seen the full plan.”
“I read the lender packet.”
His face changed.
The private lender had sent me a copy after discovering my name was used without authorization.
The packet contained fabricated emails implying I had agreed to manage construction.
One used an address differing from mine by a single letter.
Tyler claimed a marketing consultant created it.
Dad said exposing the false statement would destroy Tyler’s chance of refinancing.
“He used my company to obtain credit.”
“He is your brother.”
“That is not a legal defense.”
Mom began crying.
“We may lose the house.”
The house where I had grown up.
The house whose walls held family vacation photographs with one child repeatedly missing.
For one moment, the old part of me woke up.
The girl who believed being needed was the closest thing she would receive to love.
I could have sold two cabins.
I could have taken a commercial loan against the land.
I could have transferred enough money to delay foreclosure.
But paying the debt would not save them.
It would move the collapse from Tyler’s accounts into mine.
“What are you willing to sell?” I asked.
Tyler looked offended.
“North Star isn’t for sale.”
“Then you do not want rescue. You want subsidy.”
Dad slammed one hand against the table.
“You have all this because we sent you here.”
May you like
Aunt Ruth stepped between us.
“No. She has this because you kept leaving.”
