I called Cordelia, who had helped organize my financial records, and we began checking documents instead of making accusations. The closing statement showed a $25,000 down payment from Gloria Novak—despite Lacey repeatedly claiming Gloria hadn’t contributed anything. That created an obvious question: Warren and Renee had given Troy and Lacey $30,000 specifically to help purchase the house. If Gloria’s money covered the down payment, where had their $30,000 gone?

At the family meeting, Renee answered by placing a bank statement on the table. The money had entered an account Troy co-signed, but instead of going toward the closing, it had been moved through several transfers afterward. Troy stared at Lacey in disbelief. “You told me that money went straight to the house,” he whispered. Lacey finally admitted she’d moved it into another account for expenses and investments. She had also concealed Gloria’s contribution. Suddenly, even Troy couldn’t tell which parts of their financial story were true anymore.