I was in the kitchen, phone pressed to my ear, when Ellen burst through the bedroom door, flinging open drawers and turning cushions inside out. My emeraldset ring is gone! she shouted, breathing hard, her hands trembling with panic. That ring was my pride Id bought it with the bonus from my first big award, a reminder of how Id clawed my way up at the firm. And now it had vanished.
I let out a weary sigh, finally putting the phone down.
Lena, it cant just disappear. You must have misplaced it. Youll remember when youve had a rest, I said, trying to sound calm.
Im sure of it, she snapped, eyes blazing. I only ever keep it in the little jewellery box on the dresser. You know I always put things back where they belong.
I waved a hand. Itll turn up. No need to get worked up over nothing.
Nothing? Her voice sharpened. Its not nothing, Andrew. Its a valuable piece It must be my sisters. Shes the only other person who could have taken it!
I frowned, set the phone aside, and looked at her with thinly veiled irritation. Youre always blaming her. Christine wouldnt do that.
Really? Ellen crossed her arms. Who else has been in our flat the past three months, poking around while were at work? I want her to give the ring back this instant. Lets drive to her place now.
I ran my hands over my face, feeling the tension tighten my shoulders. Ellen could see the strain, the line forming on my lips. I didnt want a road trip, didnt want a scene, but she wasnt about to back down.
Lena, maybe we shouldnt go? Think about why shed want the ring, I suggested.
Its beautiful and expensive. Lets go. Right now. She squeezed her phone like a lifeline, each kilometre feeling heavier than the last. I kept quiet, casting occasional sharp glances at her, full of unspoken rebuke.
An hour later we pulled up to the Hughes cottage in the Cotswolds. The house was as silent as a tomb. Ellen was the first out of the car, marching straight to the front porch.
Mrs. Hughes opened the door and froze, surprise painted across her face. Andrew? Ellen? What brings you here? We werent expecting you.
Wheres Charlotte? Ellen demanded, skipping pleasantries.
At home, of course. She just arrived from your place yesterday, Mrs. Hughes said, stepping aside to let us in. Come in, is something wrong?
Ellen strode into the living room where Mr. Hughes and Charlotte were seated at the table. Charlottes head snapped up, eyes widening at the sight of Ellen.
Charlotte, you need to return my ring properly, or things will get ugly for everyone, Ellen said, stopping in the centre of the room. A heavy silence fell.
Mr. Hughes rose slowly from his chair. Who gave you permission to behave like that in our home? His voice was low and threatening. Are you accusing our daughter of theft?
Im stating a fact, Ellen replied, her throat tight. My emerald ring disappeared after Charlotte left. No one else was in the flat.
Mrs. Hughes shouted, My daughter would never steal! Youre insulting our whole family!
Then explain where my ring is, Ellen pressed, and hurry up, because my patience is wearing thin.
Andrew stood by the doorway, pale and silent, shifting his gaze between his wife and his sister. He didnt intervene, only watching the exchange.
Charlotte suddenly broke down, her lower lip quivering, tears spilling. I I only wanted to try it on a bit. Its so pretty. I thought you wouldnt notice if I put it back later
Ellen was stunned. Shed expected denial, outrage, maybe a tantrumbut not this frank confession, as if she were the guilty party.
Feel sorry? she hissed, anger rising like a tide. I spent three months working overtime to earn that ring, and you just took it without asking! Thats insane!
Lena, calm down, Mr. Hughes finally interjected. Youre making a mountain out of a molehill. Shes young, she just likes pretty things. You have everything alreadygood job, a nice house, a husband. Let her keep the ring, shell think of you every time she wears it. You can buy another one.
Are you serious? Ellen asked, disbelief in her voice. You expect her to keep something I bought with my own money just because she feels like it?
Mrs. Hughes moved closer, wrapping a arm around Ellens shoulders. Sweetheart, Charlotte isnt doing it out of malice. She admires your ring, dreams of having one. You have everythingcareer, husband, home. Shes just starting out. Dont be selfish; its not the beall and endall.
Ellen turned to me, looking for any hint of support. I only shook my head, avoiding her eyes.
Youre overreacting, Lena, I said finally. Its just a ring. Not the end of the world.
In that moment, the ringmy achievement, my joy, my possessionsuddenly seemed less vital. My hands stopped shaking; a cold calm settled over me.
I fished my phone from my pocket, tapped a few numbers, and held it up to Mrs. Hughes.
Im giving you two minutes, I said, voice flat. Either return the ring to me, or Ill call the police. Your choice.
You wont Mr. Hughes stepped forward, his face flushing.
Well see, I replied, unmoving.
Charlotte wailed, clutching at her mother. Mrs. Hughes shot me with a glare, but said nothing.
The clocks ticking, I reminded them.
Andrew! Mrs. Hughes begged, Say something to your wife! Stop her!
I stared at the floor, silent. Ellen smirked, bitterly. She reached for the call button.
Fine, fine! Charlotte shrieked, bolting to her room. She returned a minute later, clutching a familiar velvet box, and slammed it onto the table in front of Ellen.
Take it, you greedy, pennypinching witch! she spat.
Ellen opened the box; the ring lay there, the emerald catching the light. She slipped it into her coat pocket and closed the box.
I thought you were decent, Charlotte sniffed, wiping tears. But youre selfish and cruel.
Ellen headed for the door, then turned back, eyes hard. If Im that bad, why did I live in this house for three months? I paid the rent, used the internet, the hot water. If Im such a monster, why did you ask me to cover your courses? Explain.
Charlotte turned away, speechless.
I stood there, hunched, head down. The scene was pitiful. Ellens voice cut like steel.
Andrew, I never expected this from you. Though, given your family, its not surprising. She tossed me a set of car keys.
What? I asked, frowning.
The cars mine too. I bought it with my own money. Hand over the keys.
Lena
Keys! she snapped, snatching them from my hand. I slipped them into her grasp without protest.
She clutched them, then, at the doorway, turned once more.
Ill collect my things tomorrow, and Ill file for divorce then, she announced, stepping out without waiting for a reply.
A month later the divorce was finalized. Ellen stood by the dresser; the jewellery box was back in its usual spot, the velvet pad holding her emerald ring shining proudly.
My phone buzzed on the coffee table with another notification. Former relatives were accusing me of being cold, heartless, tearing the family apart. They called me selfish for not forgiving.
I didnt reply. I simply added the number to my block list, as I had done with dozens of others.
Life without Andrew turned out to be simple and easy. I no longer dealt with his familys dramas. Whether Charlotte found a job or not didnt matter to me. I didnt worry about how his parents house would survive the winter.
I began planning only for myself, intending to spend the holidays with those who truly cared about me.
