That afternoon, Patricia called me herself.
“You need to stop punishing my son.”
“I’m not.”
“You’re destroying his business.”
“His business appears to be destroying itself.”
She snapped, “After everything we’ve done for you!”
That accusation was almost impressive.
I emailed her a copy of the signed agreement for the roof loan.
Her voice changed immediately.
“What is this?”
“Something you signed.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
For the first time since meeting Patricia, I heard her fall completely silent.
Then Mark made his last mistake.
That evening, Daniel called.
“Natalie, we found evidence he tried to pledge the house as collateral.”
I glanced around the office I had paid for.
“Can he?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Daniel hesitated.
“And there’s more.”
Mark’s lender had already uncovered the ownership issue.
They were preparing to pursue him personally.
I settled back into my chair.
Less than twenty-four hours had passed since Thanksgiving dinner.
And suddenly, nobody was lecturing me about whose word was law.
Three days later, Mark sat opposite me in Daniel’s conference room.
Every trace of his former arrogance had disappeared.
His attorney was seated beside him.
Patricia was there too.
She had insisted on attending because, according to Mark, “this affected the whole family.”
For once, he wasn’t wrong.
Daniel began the meeting.
“The residence is Natalie’s separate property. The vehicle financing is in her name, though Mark has been making some payments. The disputed credit accounts are being reviewed, and the forged signature has been reported to the lender.”
Patricia struck the table with her hand.
“Forged? Don’t use that word.”
Daniel calmly met her gaze.
