Chapter 10 - THE TRUTH ABOUT THE STUDIO
Camille's photography studio closed less than a year after opening.
The business had accumulated debt.
Several contracts fell through.
And the lender began enforcing its rights under the loan agreement.
Rebecca called me with an update.
“The collateral issue is moving toward resolution.”
I sat down.
“Does that mean I'll get my money?”
“Your claim is being addressed. The exact recovery will depend on the final settlement.”
I nodded.
Over the following months, the parties negotiated.
Everett accepted responsibility for the unauthorized arrangement.
The lender agreed to release the disputed collateral as part of a settlement funded by Everett and other available assets.
My portion of the house fund was restored.
Not immediately.
Not painlessly.
But eventually.
The day the money became available again, I sat at my kitchen table staring at the account balance.
Forty-five thousand dollars.
The number I'd worked years to save.
I began crying.
Kelsey called.
“Did it happen?”
I laughed through my tears.
“Yes.”
She screamed.
“YES!”
That evening, Nathaniel came over.
I showed him the confirmation.
He smiled.
“Congratulations.”
I laughed.
“I feel ridiculous.”
“Why?”
“It's just money.”
Nathaniel shook his head.
“No.”
He took my hand.
“It's your work. Your choices. Your future.”
My eyes filled.
He smiled.
“You got it back.”
I looked at the account.
Then at him.
For years, I'd imagined that money becoming a house with Everett.
Now I realized something.
It could still become a house.
May you like
Just not the one we'd planned together.
And that didn't make the dream any less valuable.
