"Who prepared this?"
"The lender's legal team."
She continued reading.
Then pointed toward a section referring to the house.
"Why does this say our residence may be considered for additional security?"
Her husband shifted.
"It's standard language."
Naya looked up.
"I already told you I'm not pledging the house for the business."
He sighed.
"Nobody's asking you to do that tonight."
"Then why is it in the package?"
He became irritated.
"Because lenders ask questions, Naya. That's how business works."
She closed the folder.
"I want my attorney to review it."
His expression changed.
For a moment, he stared at her.
Then laughed bitterly.
"Your attorney?"
Naya nodded.
"Yes."
He looked toward the ceiling.
"Unbelievable."
She remained calm.
He continued.
"Every conversation about money turns into you protecting yourself from me."
Naya felt her chest tighten.
Then answered.
"If the paperwork is routine, a review shouldn't be a problem."
He stared.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then he grabbed the folder.
"Fine."
He walked out of the kitchen.
But before leaving, he turned.
"Don't complain when my business doesn't grow because you're too scared to support your husband."
Naya watched him disappear down the hallway.
For a moment, tears filled her eyes.
Then she placed one hand over her stomach.
Her daughter kicked gently.
And Naya remembered the promise she'd made to herself.
She would not turn fear of losing her marriage into permission for someone else to endanger the home her child needed.
The documents went directly to her lawyer.
The attorney reviewed them and identified several provisions that needed clarification before Naya could consider participating.
More importantly, she proposed a separate financial arrangement.
If the husband wanted to pursue business financing independently, the parties could formally document certain existing facts about their property and debts, with independent advice and full disclosure.
The proposal included a written acknowledgment of Naya's premarital acquisition of the house and the absence of any authority for her husband to pledge or sell it on her behalf.
It also included an agreement governing identified business obligations and an authorization to obtain and reconcile specified financial records affecting the marital household.
The attorney explained that enforceability could depend on the applicable law, the completeness of disclosures, and other circumstances.
The document wasn't a magical guarantee that every future dispute would disappear.
But it would create a clearer record of what the parties had acknowledged.
Naya listened.
Then asked whether she could insist on the financial review before considering any further loan-related cooperation.
The lawyer nodded.