They Thought My Beach House Was Foreclosed—I Let Them Believe It

like clockwork for six years, the one currently serving as my office, lab, and home—was not, had never been, in foreclosure.

Instead of responding to the group chat, I opened my banking app with slightly trembling hands.

Mortgage – Ocean Vista Drive.
Current balance: $0.00.

The line of text beneath stared back, smug and satisfying: Loan closed: Three weeks continue reading …