Chapter 5: The Morning Camila Came Back With Reinforcements
Daniel slept at his brother's house that night.
I know because he texted me at midnight to tell me where he was, as if I had asked.
I hadn't.
I put the phone face-down on the nightstand and lay in the dark listening to the house settle around me.
In the morning I made the children's lunches, walked them to the corner, watched them get on the school bus.
Normal things.
I needed normal things.
I was back inside with my second cup of coffee when the car pulled up.
Not Camila's car.
A black sedan I didn't recognize.
Camila got out of the passenger side.
The man who got out of the driver's side was tall, silver-haired, wearing a jacket that was too formal for a Tuesday morning.
He carried a leather folder under one arm.
I had never met Robert Voss in person.
But I knew him immediately.
I opened the front door before they reached the porch.
"This isn't a good time," I said.
Camila's chin came up.
"We're not here to ask permission."
Robert Voss stopped at the bottom of the porch steps.
He looked up at me with an expression that was almost polite.
Almost.
"Mrs.
Harmon.
I think it would be in everyone's interest to have a calm conversation."
"About what?"
He opened the leather folder and held up a document.
"About the terms of the right of first refusal.
And about a very reasonable offer I'd like to make."
"My lawyer has already reviewed that clause," I said.
"We have questions about how it was obtained."
Something moved behind his eyes.
Not worry.
Calculation.
"I'm sure you do.
But the document is legal and properly executed.
Your husband signed it willingly."
"My husband signed it three weeks before our wedding, using your family's lawyer, without explaining what it meant to me."
"That's a matter between you and Daniel."
"It's also a matter for a judge," I said.
"If it comes to that."
Camila stepped forward.
"You are being completely unreasonable.
This family has supported you for years—"
"You have criticized every choice I've made in this house for years," I said.
"That is not support."
Robert held up one hand to stop his ex-wife.
He looked at me steadily.
"Mrs.
Harmon.
I'm prepared to offer you a settlement.
Enough to cover the current market difference, so that you walk away whole.
No court.
No conflict.
Clean and simple."
"And in exchange?"
"You transfer the deed back to joint ownership — Daniel and yourself — which then triggers the clause, and I exercise my right to purchase."
I looked at him.
At the leather folder.
At Camila standing slightly behind him with her arms crossed.
"So you want me to undo what I've done, hand the deed back, and then watch you buy this house for a price that was set thirteen years ago."
"With a settlement payment that compensates—"
"No," I said.
His expression didn't change.
"You should think carefully."
"I have thought carefully.
The answer is no.
And if you come to this house again without an appointment, I'll call the police."
Camila's voice rose.
"You cannot speak to him like that.
Do you have any idea who—"
"Camila." Robert's voice was flat.
She stopped.
He looked at me one more time.
"This isn't finished."
"I know," I said.
"I'm counting on it."
I went back inside and closed the door.
My hands were steady.
My coffee was cold.
I picked up my phone and called Elena.
"They came to the house," I said when she answered.
"Robert Voss, in person.
He offered a settlement to get me to undo the deed transfer."
"Did he put it in writing?"
"No."
"Good.
That means he's not confident." A pause.
"I made some calls this morning.
May you like
I need you to come in today.
There's something you need to know about Robert Voss and that clause — something that changes the picture considerably."
