Chapter 8 - THE DECISION THAT PUT THE HOUSE AT RISK
Marcus explained the consequences before I signed.
“Once this notice goes out, lenders may ask questions.”
“They should.”
“They may freeze new advances.”
“I understand.”
“The company could have liquidity problems.”
“I understand.”
“Your parents’ home could be affected if it secures any personal guarantees.”
That one hurt.
The New Albany house was obnoxiously large, but it still contained my childhood Christmas ornaments, my grandmother’s dining table, and the pencil marks where Mom measured Ethan and me against a pantry door.
“I understand.”
Marcus studied me.
“Then sign.”
I did.
Forty-eight hours later Richard arrived at my workplace.
School security stopped him at the front desk.
I met him in the principal’s conference room because I would not let him create a scene in a building full of children.
He looked exhausted.
“Withdraw the notice.”
“No.”
“You don’t understand what you’re doing.”
“Then explain it.”
“The lender can choke the company.”
“Why does the lender think my assets support your debt?”
He looked away.
“Everything in our family has always supported everything else.”
“That isn’t how ownership works.”
“Your grandfather built that company for all of us.”
“Then why did you need my signature?”
His jaw tightened.
“Noah filled your head with legal technicalities.”
“Noah found a dead notary witnessing a document supposedly signed a year later.”
For the first time, Dad had nothing ready.
“What was Franklin Ridge?”
His face changed.
There it was.
“Who told you that?”
“Why does it matter?”
“Audrey.”
“Tell me.”
He stood.
“You’re making decisions while grieving.”
“You hit me while I was grieving.”
He looked almost ashamed.
Almost.
“I shouldn’t have done that.”
It was the first apology I had received.
Then he ruined it.
“But you were provoking everyone.”
I stood too.
“Leave.”
“Your mother could lose her home.”
“Because of my notice?”
“Yes.”
“Or because you borrowed against it?”
His silence answered.
“Tell Mom the exact amount.”
“She doesn’t need—”
“If her house can be lost, she needs to know.”
He walked out.
That night Teresa called.
Not angry.
Terrified.
“The bank called Richard.”
“I know.”
“They’re asking for updated collateral schedules.”
“Good.”
“Audrey, please.”
“I’m not trying to take your house.”
“But we could lose it.”
“Then help me find out why Dad was willing to risk it.”
Mom started to cry.
“Because losing the house would expose what he did before you and Ethan were old enough to understand.”
“Franklin Ridge?”
She said nothing.
“Mom.”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
Her answer was barely audible.
“Your father didn’t lose that money in the market.”
“Then how?”
“He used it to cover something that could have ended his career.”
May you like
My father’s biggest debt had not started as a bad investment.
It had started as a secret.
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