Wheres the ring?! Evelyn shouts, turning the bedroom upsidedown. My emerald ring is nowhere!
She stands in the middle of the room, breathing heavily, surrounded by open drawers and overturned boxes. Her hands shake with rising panic. That ring is her pride the one she bought after winning her first big award, a reminder of how she earned her place at the firm. And now its vanished.
Andrew sighs, putting his phone down.
Eve, it cant have disappeared. You must have misplaced it. Youll remember when youre tired, he says.
No, Evelyn snaps, eyes blazing. I never put it anywhere but the little jewelry box on the dresser. You know I always put things back where they belong.
Andrew shrugs. Itll turn up. Dont get worked up over nothing.
Nothing? Evelyns voice rises. Its not nothing, Andy. Its valuable Its my sisters fault. She took it. Thats it! She points at a photo on the wall.
Andrews brow furrows, his irritation clear. Not you again. Charlotte wouldnt do that.
Really? Evelyn folds her arms. Who else has been in our flat the past three months? Whos been rummaging around while were at work? I want her to return the ring right now. Lets drive to her place.
Andrews shoulders tighten, his lips press into a thin line. He clearly doesnt want the trip, but Evelyn refuses to back down.
Eve, maybe we shouldnt? What does she need the ring for? Andrew asks.
Because its beautiful and expensive. We go now. He sighs in annoyance, and they pack up and head for the village outside town. Evelyn sits in the passenger seat, phone clenched in her hand, her stomach a knot. Every kilometre feels like an effort. Andrew remains silent, throwing occasional sharp glances at her that say, What a mess.
After an hours drive, they pull up to the Harper family home. The house greets them with quiet. Evelyn is the first out of the car and strides to the porch.
Mrs. Harper opens the door, freezes, and looks shocked at the two of them.
Andrew? Evelyn? Whats happened? We werent expecting you.
Wheres Charlotte? Evelyn demands, skipping the greeting.
Shes at home, of course. She just arrived from you yesterday, Mrs. Harper says, stepping aside to let them in. Come in, whats the trouble?
Evelyn moves into the sitting room where Mr. Harper and Charlotte sit at the table. Charlotte lifts her head, eyes widening.
Charlotte, you must return my ring at once, Evelyn says, stopping in the centre of the room. Otherwise things will get ugly. Im not letting this go.
A heavy silence falls. Mr. Harper rises slowly.
Who told you you could behave like this in someone elses house? his voice is low and threatening. Are you accusing our daughter of theft?
Im stating a fact, Evelyn replies, her heart thudding. My emerald ring is missing. It disappeared after Charlotte left. No one else was in the flat.
Mrs. Harper yells, My daughter would never steal! Youre insulting our family!
Then explain where my ring is. Speak quickly, because my patience is running thin, Evelyn adds.
Andrew stands at the doorway, pale and silent, glancing between his wife and his sister.
Charlotte suddenly breaks down, her lower lip trembling, tears welling.
I I just wanted to try it on a bit. Its so pretty. Did you did you feel sorry for me? I meant to put it back I thought you wouldnt notice
Evelyn is stunned. She expected denial, outrage, maybe a tantrum, but not a candid confession that makes her feel oddly responsible.
Youre sorry? she exhales, anger rising like a wave. Yes, Im sorry! I spent three months working overtime to earn that award, to buy that ring! And you just took it without asking! Thats absurd!
Eve, calm down, Mr. Harper interjects. Youre making a mountain out of a molehill. Shes young and likes nice things. You already have everything. Let Charlotte keep the ring, and youll buy another one.
Theyre serious? They really think she should give up the piece she paid for just because her sisterinlaw wanted it?
Charlotte, be reasonable, Mrs. Harper says, moving to hug her daughters shoulders. She didnt mean any harm. She admired your ring and dreamed of having one. Youve got a good job, a husband, a house. Shes just starting out. Dont be selfish.
Evelyn turns to Andrew, searching his eyes for any support, any word of defence. He only shakes his head, avoiding her gaze.
Youre overreacting, Eve, he finally says. Its just a ring, not the end of the world.
Just a ringher achievement, her joy, her propertyjust a ring. Evelyn looks around at the people shes called family for three years and suddenly sees how mistaken shes been.
Her hands stop shaking. An icy calm settles inside her.
She pulls her phone from her pocket, taps the screen, dials three digits, and holds it up to Mrs. Harpers face.
Im giving you two minutes, she says, voice cold and steady. Return the ring to me, or Ill call the police. Your choice.
You wont dare! Mr. Harper steps forward, his face flushing.
Well see, Evelyn replies, unmoving.
Charlotte sobs louder, clutching at her mother. Mrs. Harper flashes a hostile look at Evelyn but says nothing.
The clock is ticking, Evelyn reminds them.
Andrew! Mrs. Harper pleads. Say something to your wife! Stop her!
Andrew looks at the floor, silent. Evelyn smirks, bitterly. She reaches for the call button.
Fine, fine! Charlotte shrieks, dashing to her bedroom and returning a minute later with a familiar velvet box. She flings it onto the table in front of Evelyn.
Take it! My precious ring! You greedy, stingy witch!
Evelyn lifts the box, opens itinside, the ring sits where it belongs, the emerald catching the light. She carefully closes the box and slips it into her coat pocket.
I thought you were decent, Charlotte sniffles, wiping tears. But youre greedy and cruel.
Evelyn heads for the door, then pauses, turning back. Her stare is iron.
If Im this bad, why did I live in your flat for three months? I paid the rent, used your internet, your hot water. If Im that terrible, why did I ask you to cover my courses? Explain that.
Charlotte frowns and walks away, speechless.
Evelyn looks at Andrew. He stands, hunched, head down. A pitiful sight. She says with contempt:
I never expected this from you, Andrew. But then again, given your family It would be strange if you were any different.
She extends her hand.
Car keys.
Andrew lifts his head, frowning.
What?
The car is mine too. I bought it with my own money. Hand over the keys.
Eve
The keys! she snaps.
He pulls the keys from his pocket and places them in her palm. She clenches them into a fist and, at the doorway, turns once more.
Ill bring your things tomorrow. And Ill file for divorce.
She walks out without waiting for a reply.
A month later, the divorce is finalised. Evelyn looks at the dresser. The velvet box rests in its usual spot, the emerald ring sparkling on the cushion.
Her phone buzzes on the tableanother notification. She picks it up, scans the messages. Former relatives accuse her of being hardhearted, cold, tearing the family apart. They call her selfish for not forgiving.
She doesnt reply. She simply blocks the number, as she has done with dozens of others.
Life without Andrew feels simple and light. The Harpers problems no longer touch her. She doesnt care whether Charlotte finds a job or not. She isnt worried about how his parents house will survive the winter.
Evelyn now makes plans only for herself, looking forward to holidays spent with people who truly love her.
