Gwen’s heart raced. This was it. The final blow. She gestured to Elizabeth, who was talking to one of Albert’s cousins. “That’s her,” she said, her voice calm. “Elizabeth Hale. She’s the one who handled the paperwork.”
The bankers nodded and walked over. Gwen watched from across the room. Elizabeth smiled, shook their hands, and took the folder they offered. She opened it, her eyes scanning the pages. At first, her smile stayed—then it faded. Her face paled, draining of all color. She grabbed the folder with both hands, as if it might fly away, and read again, faster.
Then she looked up, her eyes locking with Gwen’s. There was no triumph in them now. No smugness. Just shock. Horror.
A commotion erupted. Elizabeth’s voice rose, sharp and panicked. “This can’t be right,” she said, holding up the papers. “There’s a mortgage? $200,000? And credit card debt? He never mentioned this!”
The banker sighed. “Ms. Hale, the estate includes the house, but it also includes all outstanding debts. The mortgage was taken out five years ago to pay for Mr. Hale’s heart surgery. The credit cards were used for his medical bills. It’s all in the estate records—your stepmother signed the transfer forms, so this is now your responsibility.”
Elizabeth stumbled back, like someone had punched her. “But… the accounts. The car. There was money there, right?”
“The bank accounts had $12,000—enough to cover the funeral, but not the debt. The car is worth about $5,000. I’m sorry.”