Chapter 11 - Ashley’s SpreadsheetWe did not hack Ashley’s computer.
We did not search her room.
We waited.
Then Sterling produced an uploaded budgeting spreadsheet included with the loan application.
File name:
HOUSE PLAN FINAL.xlsx
Author metadata:
Ashley Blake Sullivan.
Tabs:
DEBT.
RENOVATION.
MARGARET MOVE.
POST-CLOSING.
I stared at the third tab.
MARGARET MOVE
Estimated monthly room rent:
$1,100.
Security deposit:
$1,100.
Storage:
$240.
Monthly “support” from David:
$500.
The numbers assumed I would pay the remaining costs from Social Security and retirement income.
Another line:
Sell Buick? +$18K liquidity
My car.
They had budgeted selling my car.
Robert looked disgusted.
The POST-CLOSING tab was worse.
HELOC first draw:
$138,000.
Pay cards.
Pay business line.
Repay Raymond.
Second draw:
$82,000.
Renovation.
Remaining:
emergency / IVF / baby
I stopped.
“So they really were trying to start a family.”
Lena nodded.
“That appears to be part of it.”
That complicated my anger.
Their desire for a child may have been genuine.
But genuine need does not transform theft into sacrifice.
Another row:
Margaret guardianship if resistance increases.
No amount beside it.
Just a note:
David handles.
I stared at my son’s name.
Ashley built the spreadsheet.
David was assigned the court.
May you like
![92 The Girl They Called Broke Was a Billionaire’s Daughter—But Her Father’s Arrival Exposed a Secret Powerful People Had Buried for Years]](https://cdn.treeiq.biz/site_590/2026/11/clone-0-0915d882-53d7-4d17-b43a-a010ca1a1068.webp)
Division of labor.
The neatness of it frightened me more than shouting would have.
Related Stories
