And for the first time, Laura stopped defending him.

The forged authorization didn’t lead to a dramatic arrest.

For Travis, it did something worse.

It destroyed his leverage.

The rental platform froze the account while reviewing the document. My attorney demanded the deposits, access to the property, and records of every booking.

Eventually, Travis admitted what he had done.

He created the authorization because the platform required proof that he had permission to manage the property.

Laura stared at him.

“You told me Dad signed it.”

Travis said nothing.

That silence ended their united front.

Dad changed the locks again that afternoon.

This time, legally.

A property manager documented the damage. Two doors, a patio railing, and the unauthorized smart locks needed repair or replacement.

The bill was just over eleven thousand dollars.

Travis was responsible.

The deposits were an even bigger problem.

He and Laura had spent most of the money on personal credit cards and their failed business.

Laura agreed to repay her share.

At first, Travis refused.

Then the platform’s recovery team and his own attorney convinced him that fighting would only cost more.

Mom apologized to Dad.

Then to me.

“I thought keeping peace meant saying yes.”

“No,” I said. “Sometimes it means stopping the person causing the problem.”

Dad moved back into the house.