Jordan diverts household funds to stop an emergency eviction — Then Clara discovers the hidden transaction that drains their own daughter’s tuition account
Chapter 7 — Drafting a Strict Repayment Schedule
Amber’s phone rustled against a hard surface on the other end of the line.
“Hold on,” Amber said.
“Let me pull up the mobile app right now.”
Jordan shifted his weight from one foot to the other in the quiet kitchen.
He kept his eyes glued to the granite countertop, refusing to look at Clara.
“I have my direct deposit schedule right here in front of me,” Amber said a moment later.
“Look, I can take screenshots of the pay periods and send them to your phone, Aunt Clara.”
“Do it,” Clara said firmly.
“And text them to both of us so there is a permanent record.”
A soft chime sounded on Jordan’s phone resting near the sink.
Jordan picked it up with a trembling hand and tapped the screen.
A high-resolution screenshot appeared in his messaging app.
It displayed a projected payroll calendar from Amber’s new employer.
“It shows bi-weekly deposits starting on the fourteenth,” Jordan read aloud, his voice strained.
“The amounts are listed right here.”
Clara leaned over the kitchen island to inspect the screen.
Her red hair fell over her shoulder as she squinted at the numbers.
“That schedule doesn’t cover our upcoming rent due date,” Clara pointed out.
“It’s too far apart.”
“I know,” Amber’s voice came through the speaker, sounding chastened.
“That’s why I’m willing to sign a formal repayment agreement.”
“A formal agreement on paper,” Clara repeated.
“Yes,” Amber urged.
“Type it up, put the exact dollar amounts and dates on it, and I will sign it digitally right now.”
Jordan looked up at Clara, hoping for a shred of compromise in her expression.
Clara walked over to her laptop resting on the breakfast bar and lifted the lid.
The screen illuminated her face in the dim afternoon light.
“Open a blank document,” Clara instructed Jordan, stepping aside to let him type.
Jordan rushed to the keyboard, his fingers moving quickly across the keys.
He drafted the terms under Clara’s strict supervision.
*I, Amber, agree to repay the sum of three thousand four hundred dollars to Clara and Jordan.*
*Repayments will be deducted automatically according to the attached schedule.*
Jordan finished typing the final clause and hit save.
He forwarded the digital document to Amber’s email address.
Two minutes later, a notification popped up in the corner of the laptop screen.
The document status updated to signed.
Amber’s digital signature sat neatly at the bottom of the page.
“It’s signed,” Jordan whispered, letting out a heavy breath.
Clara stared at the glowing monitor, her arms still crossed over her green cardigan.
“A signed piece of paper doesn’t put cash in our landlord’s hands by tomorrow morning, Jordan,” Clara said.
She turned her gaze back to the past-due notice lying beside the toaster.
“We need to cover our own rent right now, or that sheriff’s notice on our door won’t be the only one.”
