Can Trust Survive When a Friend Conceals Financial Information?

Two friends, both aged 68 and connected since high school, have grown closer over the past 15 years, speaking nearly every day. One has always been less financially secure, leading the other to be generous and even include her in her will to ensure she is cared for in later years.

Recently, the less affluent friend revealed she owns rental property inherited a decade ago from a late boyfriend—a fact she had never shared before. This property generates rental income that she deposits but does not spend. She explained her silence by saying she feared it would cause anger or jealousy.

She considers the rental income a private matter and does not believe she has been dishonest in accepting her friend's generosity. However, the other friend now feels that her goodwill was based on incomplete information, especially since mutual acquaintances were aware of the rental property.

The friend suspects that the omission was intentional, aimed at maintaining the perception of financial hardship so she would continue paying expenses and keep her in the will. Nonetheless, it is likely these acts would have continued regardless, given the financial disparity between them.

While relieved to learn of her friend's greater financial stability, the feeling of being manipulated lingers. The core issue is not money but the breach of trust and the expectation of honesty between close friends.

The question remains: Is it possible to rebuild closeness and trust when the other party refuses to acknowledge wrongdoing or offer an accountable apology?