Chapter 7 - The Facade Crumbles
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By Wednesday evening, my phone had accumulated fourteen missed calls and twenty-two text messages from Karla.
“This isn't funny, Laura.”
“Chase wants to know why I’m crying. Fix the payment!”
“You are ruining my life over a stupid bowl of soup? Grow up!”
I read every single message from the quiet safety of Mrs. Gable’s boarding house, sipping cheap tea, and didn't reply to a single one.
Over at Karla’s luxury condo, the facade was rapidly disintegrating. Chase, a junior investment banker who prided himself on dating a "financially independent" woman, walked into the kitchen to find Karla frantically searching for a new credit card.
“Babe, what’s going on?” Chase asked, crossing his arms. “You’ve been pacing for two days.”
“It’s a banking error,” Karla lied smoothly, though her voice shook. “My stupid sister messed up a wire transfer for a family investment.”
“A family investment?” Chase frowned. “I thought you said you paid for this condo entirely on your own. You told my parents you were a self-made homeowner.”
“I am!” Karla snapped, instantly defensive. “Laura just… manages the escrow. It’s complicated.”
Chase didn't look convinced. He was a numbers guy, and he could smell financial panic from a mile away. “If you need me to cover the mortgage this month, just ask, Karla. Don't lie to me.”
“I don't need your money!” she shrieked, her pride completely taking over her logic.
Chase held up his hands, backing out of the kitchen. “Fine. Handle it yourself. I’m going to the gym.”
May you like
As the front door clicked shut, Karla slid down the pristine granite cabinets to the floor. She had exactly eight days before the mortgage company reported the missed payment to the credit bureaus, completely destroying her flawless credit score.
She pulled out her phone and dialed my mother.
