Chapter 7: The Man I Had Trusted for Forty Years
I read the name three times.
Friedrich Weber.
For nearly forty years, I had trusted that man.
He had helped Karl and me organize our savings, prepare tax documents, and manage the rental income from our properties. When Karl died, Friedrich was the person who sat beside me in the notary's office and patiently explained every document.
He had attended Alexander's graduation.
He had brought flowers to Karl's funeral.
And now his name appeared beneath a financial guarantee that my son swore he had never signed.
I slowly lowered my phone.
Alexander noticed my expression.
"Mom, what's wrong?""
I showed him the photograph.
He read the name.
"Friedrich?""
I nodded.
Bianca stopped crying.
For the first time that afternoon, she looked almost relieved.
"See?"" she said.
"Now perhaps you'll understand that your mother isn't the innocent victim she's pretending to be.""
I turned toward her.
"Be careful, Bianca.""
She folded her arms.
"What? You're finally discovering that your trusted accountant isn't as trustworthy as you thought?""
I didn't answer.
Instead, I called Friedrich.
He picked up after two rings.
"Helga?""
"Friedrich, I'm looking at the guarantee.""
There was a pause.
"Yes.""
"Why is your name on it?""
Another pause.
Then he sighed.
"Because I witnessed the document.""
Alexander moved closer.
"Witnessed whose signature?""
Friedrich cleared his throat.
"That's what we need to establish.""
I felt a chill move down my back.
"Friedrich, did you see Alexander sign it?""
"No.""
The room went silent.
Alexander grabbed the phone.
"Then why did you witness it?""
Friedrich answered quietly.
"Your wife brought me a document and told me you had signed it earlier. She said you were unavailable because you were traveling.""
Alexander stared at Bianca.
"She brought you my signature?""
"Yes.""
"Did you verify it?""
"I should have.""
"That's not an answer!""
Friedrich sounded ashamed.
"No, Alexander. I didn't.""
Bianca immediately stepped forward.
"He's lying! I never brought him anything!""
Friedrich heard her.
"Bianca, I still have the original email you sent me.""
Her mouth closed.
I gripped the phone.
"What email?""
Friedrich continued.
"She asked me to confirm the guarantee as a witness. I refused to certify that I had personally seen Alexander sign it, but I made a serious mistake. I signed a separate statement confirming that the copy matched the document she provided.""
Alexander looked confused.
"Why would you do that?""
"Because I believed it was part of a legitimate family loan arrangement.""
"Did you receive money?""
"No.""
"Did you know my mother's apartment was involved?""
"No, Helga. I swear I didn't.""
I closed my eyes.
There was something heartbreaking about discovering that even people who meant well could make decisions that put others in danger.
But I wasn't ready to forgive him.
"Friedrich, I need the original email and every document connected to this guarantee.""
"I'll bring them tomorrow morning.""
"No. Today.""
He hesitated.
"All right. I'll come.""
I ended the call.
Bianca shook her head.
"Wonderful. Now you've dragged an old man into your little family drama.""
Alexander turned toward her.
"Stop.""
"Why should I?""
"Because every time somebody discovers something you've done, you attack the person who discovered it.""
She stared at him.
Then she picked up her handbag.
"I'm leaving.""
"You're not taking any more documents.""
"I don't want your documents!""
She reached for the folder.
I pulled it away.
"Those belong to me.""
Her expression hardened.
"One day, Helga, you'll regret treating me like this.""
I looked directly at her.
"I already regret welcoming you into my home without asking more questions.""
Alexander flinched.
I hadn't meant to hurt him.
But the truth had become too heavy to keep swallowing.
Bianca walked toward the hallway.
Her father followed.
Before leaving, Ewald turned back.
"Alexander, remember something. You are married to my daughter. Whatever happens, you cannot simply walk away from your responsibilities.""
Alexander stood beside the table.
"I am responsible for my own actions. Not your debts.""
Ewald pointed at him.
"We'll see.""
The front door slammed.
For several seconds, Alexander remained motionless.
Then he sat down and covered his face.
I approached him.
"Darling.""
He shook his head.
"How did I not see it?""
I sat beside him.
"Because you loved her.""
"I defended her when she treated you terribly.""
"Yes.""
"I told you to stop calling.""
"Yes.""
"I made you feel like you were the problem.""
I placed my hand over his.
"You were trying to protect your marriage. I understand that.""
He looked at me with red eyes.
"But you shouldn't have had to suffer because of it.""
I didn't answer.
Sometimes an apology is not something a person needs to hear.
Sometimes they need to understand the weight of what happened.
A little after seven, Friedrich arrived.
He carried a brown leather briefcase.
He looked older than I remembered.
His shoulders were bent, and his face was unusually pale.
"Helga," he said.
I stood.
"Come in.""
He greeted Alexander and placed the briefcase on the table.
"I've brought everything.""
He removed several folders.
The first contained the email Bianca had sent him.
The second contained the financial guarantee.
The third contained bank correspondence.
Then he placed one final document in front of us.
"I found this while reviewing the records.""
Alexander leaned forward.
"What is it?""
Friedrich looked uncomfortable.
"A second loan application.""
I stared at him.
"Another one?""
He nodded.
"This one was submitted in March.""
Alexander read the first page.
Then his face changed.
"That's my salary.""
Friedrich nodded.
"Yes.""
"My employment details.""
"Yes.""
"My signature?""
Friedrich looked at him.
"Unfortunately, yes.""
Alexander pushed the paper away.
"I didn't sign this either.""
I looked at the amount.
€65,000.
The loan had been requested through a financial broker.
The stated purpose was home renovation.
But the receiving account belonged to a company I had never heard of.
I turned to Friedrich.
"Who owns this company?""
He removed his glasses.
"That's the problem, Helga.""
He pointed to the registration details.
"The company was established under the name of a person who died six months before it was registered.""
Alexander stood.
"Then who actually owns it?""
Friedrich opened another page.
There was a list of authorized contacts.
At the top was a mobile number.
I recognized the final four digits.
They belonged to Bianca.
But below her name was another contact.
A person who had not been mentioned during the entire afternoon.
I leaned closer.
My stomach dropped.
Because the second contact was someone from Alexander's workplace.
His business partner.
A man named Daniel Krüger.
Alexander stared at the name.
May you like
Then he whispered:
"Daniel was the one who introduced Bianca and me.""
