Chapter 8 - The Financial Collapse
I hesitated for a moment before answering.
I tapped the green accept button and put the phone to my ear.
"Hello, Mom," I said neutrally.
I could hear her crying softly on the other end of the line.
"Maya, I am so sorry," she whispered.
Her voice sounded incredibly small and broken.
"I didn't know," she sobbed.
"I swear to you, I did not know about the tuition money."
"I know you didn't, Mom," I replied softly.
"But you always let him treat me like a burden."
There was a long silence on the line.
"You're right," she finally admitted.
"I was a coward."
She took a shaky breath.
"He didn't just lie to me about your college, Maya."
"He lied about everything."
I leaned back in my chair.
"What do you mean?"
"The country club called this morning," she explained.
"We are three years behind on our membership dues."
"He took out a second mortgage on the house to pay for Olivia's wedding."
"And all those business trips he took?"
She choked on a sob.
"He wasn't working."
"He was gambling."
My stomach dropped slightly, but I wasn't entirely surprised.
His obsession with appearances always had a dark foundation.
"He flew to California today to try and force you to sign a loan for him," she confessed.
"He told me you owed it to us."
"I had security escort him away, Mom," I said firmly.
"Good," she replied firmly.
"Because I am packing my bags right now."
"I am filing for divorce, Maya."
I closed my eyes.
The illusion of the perfect family had completely collapsed.
"Do you need a place to stay?" I offered, surprising myself.
"No, honey," she said.
"I'm going to my sister's house in Seattle."
May you like
"I just wanted to call and say I am proud of you."
"And I am so, so sorry."
