Chapter 12 - WHAT THEY WANTED HER TO BUY
Brenda finally agreed to meet with Derek, Erin, and Chloe at the mansion.
Chloe went because Rebecca believed one direct conversation might settle practical property questions before formal separation negotiations intensified.
The chandelier was on despite bright afternoon sun.
Brenda sat beneath it like the house itself had appointed her.
Derek remained standing.
Erin chose the chair farthest from her mother.
Chloe kept her handbag beside her.
Brenda noticed.
Of course she did.
“I understand everyone has decided I’m a monster.”
Erin sighed.
“Nobody said that.”
“You don’t have to.”
Chloe said, “What do you actually want from me?”
Brenda looked directly at her.
“Time.”
“Purchased how?”
“The arrears are manageable if we stop panicking.”
“With forty-five thousand dollars.”
“It would help.”
“Then what?”
“Derek rebuilds his finances.”
Derek looked away.
Chloe caught it.
“You still think he’s going to rescue this house.”
“He’s my son.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Brenda’s expression sharpened.
“This house is the last thing your father-in-law left me.”
Erin finally interrupted.
“Dad left you investments, retirement accounts, and life insurance too.”
“Gone.”
“Into Derek.”
Brenda looked wounded.
Derek stepped forward.
“Stop.”
Erin turned on him.
“No. You’ve had people stopping for you your entire life.”
The words landed hard.
Chloe looked at Brenda.
“What are you afraid happens if you sell?”
Brenda stared at her.
“I lose my home.”
“You could buy something smaller.”
“That is not my home.”
“What else?”
Brenda’s eyes moved toward the tall windows.
For the first time, the answer came without polish.
“People will know.”
Chloe understood.
“Know what?”
“That Robert left less than everyone thought. That Derek’s business failed. That I couldn’t hold it together.”
Her voice cracked on the last sentence.
There it was.
Brenda was not protecting marble.
She was protecting a verdict about her life.
Derek spoke next.
“I wanted to fix what I did before you found out.”
Chloe looked at him.
“And if it worked?”
“I would’ve paid everything back.”
“And would you ever have told me my money saved the house you put at risk?”
He looked down.
“No.”
That honesty mattered.
It did not repair anything.
Brenda leaned forward.
“Forty-five thousand buys us enough time to sell properly instead of under pressure.”
Chloe almost admired how reasonable it sounded.
“Then list it now.”
Brenda stared.
“You would really let this family lose its home?”
Chloe stood.
“No.”
May you like
She picked up her handbag.
“I’m letting this family stop using other people as the mortgage.”
