At seven that morning, Priya arrived carrying two coffees and a leather portfolio.
She stopped in the doorway when she saw me.
For one unguarded second, her professional composure disappeared.
“Oh, Charlotte.”
I looked away.
There was something unbearable about being seen by someone who remembered who I had been before Garrett.
Priya set the coffee down and approached the bed.
“I’m not going to ask why you didn’t call me sooner,” she said. “I’m not going to ask why you stayed. Those questions can wait until they are useful, and they may never be useful.”
My eyes burned.
“Thank you.”
She pulled the chair close.
“The lender acknowledged the withdrawal of your guarantee at 12:23 a.m. Since the loan had not closed, you were legally entitled to revoke it.”
“My parents already know.”
“I assumed they would.”
“What happens now?”
“Their mortgage application will be reassessed without your income, assets, and guarantee. Based on the information I reviewed, they will not qualify for the property.”
