Chapter 5

Right in front of Michael and Linda, I took out my phone and, with perfect composure, dialed my real estate agent, Vera.

The call connected almost instantly.

"Hello, Vera? This is Nevaeh." There wasn't a hint of emotion in her tone. Just crisp clarity.

Michael and Linda's wailing stopped dead. Both of them stared at me, stunned and unsure what to do next.

"Yes, about the villa. We've talked it over, and we're done with it. We're not even taking the deposit back. We'll pay whatever penalty the contract says. Sorry for the trouble."

I hung up.

The whole living…