Chapter 16 - Karla's Collapse
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The collateral damage finally caught up to Karla on day twenty-seven.
Chase had grown increasingly suspicious of Karla’s erratic behavior and the continuous collection letters arriving in their shared mailbox. While Karla was in the shower, he opened one of the letters from First National Mortgage Lending.
Notice of Intent to Foreclose.
When Karla stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, Chase was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding the letter.
“You lied to me,” Chase said, his voice terrifyingly calm.
“Chase, I can explain—” Karla panicked, her wet hair dripping onto the hardwood floor.
“You told my parents you were a self-made woman. You made me split expensive dinners because you said you were building equity.” He stood up, dropping the paper onto the bed. “Your sister has been paying for this entire condo for four years, hasn't she?”
Karla burst into tears, covering her face. “I just wanted you to be proud of me! She had the money, so she helped out. It wasn't a big deal until she went crazy!”
“It is a big deal, Karla. It’s fraud,” Chase snapped, grabbing his duffel bag from the closet. “I’m not dating a grown woman who sponges off her single sister and lies about her finances. I’m done.”
“Chase, please! Where are you going?” she sobbed, following him into the hallway.
“To a hotel. I’ll send movers for the rest of my things tomorrow.”
May you like
The front door slammed shut, echoing through the massive, unpaid condo. Karla collapsed onto the floor, screaming in frustration. She had lost her boyfriend, her pride, and in less than ninety days, the bank was going to take her home.
She picked up her phone to call my mother for comfort, completely forgetting that her parents were currently packing their own lives into cardboard boxes.
