Chapter 10 - FLYNN FINALLY TOLD THE WHOLE TRUTH
Flynn came to Rebecca’s office that afternoon.
He looked worse than anyone I had seen in weeks.
“I’m not taking Dad’s money.”
Chloe folded her arms.
“You took plenty before.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
At least he had stopped defending himself.
Then he told us everything.
Dad had known about his business debt for nine months.
Instead of forcing Flynn to close the company and face bankruptcy, he offered a plan.
Move Chloe into my apartment rent-free.
Use the $2,900 monthly savings to service Flynn’s debt.
Then persuade me to open a home-equity line.
The larger loan would clear the rest.
In return, Flynn would help Dad with “business opportunities.”
Meaning more debt.
More lies.
More family money.
“Did you know Jessi hadn’t agreed to the apartment?”
Chloe asked.
Flynn hesitated.
“Yes.”
That hurt her more than the debt.
“You knew?”
“Your mom said Jessi would eventually agree.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“No.”
His voice broke.
“I knew.”
I appreciated the honesty.
I did not excuse it.
Then Flynn produced text messages with Dad.
One read:
Don’t discuss ownership details with Chloe. Once she and the kids are inside, Jessi won’t throw them out.
Another:
Jessi hates conflict. The key is making the decision feel finished before she hears it.
I stared at the words.
There was the entire strategy.
Not just this time.
My whole life.
Present me with finished decisions.
Assume my discomfort would be weaker than my guilt.
Flynn admitted helping prepare the home-equity application.
He supplied his financial statements.
Dad supplied my passport.
Mom supplied old tax records.
Michael’s notary material was used without authorization.
“Who forged my signature?”
Flynn looked at Dad’s texts.
“Your father.”
Chloe began crying.
Not because the answer surprised her.
Because it didn’t.
Then Flynn said:
“There’s one thing Thomas didn’t tell any of you.”
Dad had promised him fifty thousand dollars if the refinancing succeeded.
Not from the loan.
From the sale of my parents’ house.
“Why?”
“Because he wanted me to sign something.”
“What?”
Flynn opened his email.
A partnership agreement.
Dad wanted Flynn to become majority owner of Morgan Consulting after the house sale.
I frowned.
“Why would Dad give you his company?”
Rebecca read the fine print.
Then understood.
Because Morgan Consulting carried more than $600,000 in undisclosed business debt.
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Dad wasn’t offering Flynn a company.
He was preparing to hand him the liability.
