Chapter 8 - The Foreclosure Warning
Back in Columbus, the mailbox held a document neither Jason nor Natalie ever expected to see.
It was an official Notice of Default from First National Mortgage. Because of missed escrow adjustments, delayed utility payments, and mounting unsecured debts, the bank was initiating pre-foreclosure counseling proceedings unless an immediate catch-up payment of $8,400 was remitted within thirty days.
Natalie sat on the living room sofa, staring at the white envelope as if it were venomous. "This is a nightmare," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Our friends... our neighbors... what will everyone say if we lose this house?"
Jason walked into the room, holding his car keys and a small overnight duffel bag. His face was set in a hard, resolute line.
"Where are you going?" Natalie demanded, looking up sharply. "You're leaving me here alone with this mess?"
"I'm going to Michigan," Jason said quietly.
Natalie froze. "Michigan? To see her? Are you out of your mind? After everything she did—after she stole our money and abandoned us—you're going to crawl back to her?"
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"She didn't steal anything, Natalie!" Jason shouted, the last of his patience snapping. "It was her money! She worked for it alongside my father! I’m going to Harbor Springs because I need to look my mother in the eye, apologize for failing her as a son, and beg her for help. Because if I don't, we won't even have a roof over our heads by next month."
Natalie turned pale, realizing her reign of control was officially over. Without another word, Jason walked out the front door, climbed into his sedan, and pointed the car north toward Lake Michigan.
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