“He built a lifestyle on borrowed money,” I continued. “Loans, refinanced properties, leveraged assets. Everything you see… was tied to something else.”
The lawyer turned another page.
“There are three major loans personally guaranteed by the deceased,” he said. “Two are in default. One is under legal review.”
Lila straightened. “Those are business issues. Not personal.”
“They became personal,” the lawyer replied, “when he used personal assets as collateral.”
That was the moment the air shifted.
“No,” Lila said quickly. “He told me the apartment was fully paid.”
I met her gaze.
“He told you what you wanted to hear.”
Her expression hardened. “You’re lying. You’re just bitter.”
I shook my head.
“This isn’t about me,” I said. “It’s about numbers.”
The lawyer turned the summary sheet toward her.
At the bottom, one figure was circled.
Net estate value: -2.3 million dollars
Lila stared at it.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
“That’s not possible,” she whispered.
But it was.
I remembered the moment I first realized the truth.
Late-night calls from banks. Missing funds. Contracts that didn’t add up.
While I was cutting expenses at home, he was funding trips, gifts, and a second life.