I was sitting on the sofa, phone tucked between my shoulder and ear, when Emma burst into the bedroom, overturning everything in her wake.
Andrew, you hear me? My emerald ring isnt anywhere! she shrieked, clutching at drawers whose contents were spilling onto the floor.
She stood in the middle of the room, breathing hard, her hands trembling with panic. That ring had been her badge of honour the one shed bought after landing her first hefty bonus, a reminder of how shed clawed her way up the firm. And now it had vanished.
I let out a weary sigh, putting my phone down.
Lena, it cant have just disappeared. Youve probably put it somewhere and forgotten, I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
I know exactly where I keep it, Emma snapped, eyes blazing. Only in the little jewellery box on the dresser. I never leave it anywhere else. You know that.
I waved a hand, trying to defuse the tension.
Itll turn up. Dont get worked up over nothing.
Nothing? Her voice rose even higher. Its not nothing, Andrew. Its a priceless piece maybe Charlotte took it. Shes the only other person who could have done it!
I frowned, set the phone aside, and looked at her with a thinlyveiled irritation.
Not this again. Your sister wouldnt do something like that.
Is that so? Emma folded her arms, her tone sharp. Whos been prowling around our flat for the past three months while were at work? I want her to bring the ring back right now. Were going to her place this instant.
I felt my face go hot. I could see his shoulders stiffen, his lips press into a thin line. He clearly didnt want this trip, didnt want a scene, but Emma wasnt about to back down.
Lena, maybe we dont need to go? Think about itwhy would she want your ring?
Its beautiful and expensive. Were going, she replied, her voice hard as the cold weather outside.
With a sigh that could have moved mountains, we packed the car and drove out of London into the quiet village of Littlebrook. Emma sat in the passenger seat, phone clenched in her fist, a storm brewing inside her. Every mile felt like an effort. I kept quiet, throwing occasional sideways glances at her, each one a silent rebuke.
After about an hour we pulled up in front of my parents stone cottage. The house was dead silent. Emma was the first out, marching straight to the porch.
My mother, Margaret, opened the door and froze, her face a mix of surprise and confusion.
Andrew? Emma? Whats the matter? We werent expecting you.
Wheres Charlotte? Emma demanded, bypassing any pleasantries.
Shes home, of course. She just arrived yesterday after you left, Margaret said, stepping aside to let us in. Come in, whats happened?
Emma entered the sitting room where my father, Edward, and Charlotte were seated. When Charlotte saw us, her eyes widened.
Charlotte, you must return my ring properly, or things will get messy for everyone, Emma said, planting herself in the centre of the room.
A heavy silence fell. Edward rose slowly from his chair.
Who gave you permission to behave like that in someone elses house? he asked, his voice low and threatening. Are you accusing my daughter of theft?
Im stating a fact, Emma replied, her throat tight. My emerald ring disappeared the moment Charlotte left. No one else was in the flat.
My daughter wouldnt steal anything! Margaret shouted, her face flushing. Youre insulting our whole family!
Then explain where my ring is. Hurry up, because my patience is running thin.
Andrew stood by the door, pale and quiet, shifting his gaze between his wife and sister. He said nothing, merely watching the tension crackle.
Suddenly Charlottes lower lip trembled, tears welling up.
I I just wanted to try it on for a moment. Its so pretty. I thought you wouldnt notice if I put it back she stammered.
I stared at her, stunned. Id expected denial, anger, perhaps a dramatic outburst, but not this raw confession.
Feel sorry? I exhaled, my anger rising like a tide. I spent three months working overtime to earn that bonus and buy that ring! And you just took it without asking! Thats insane.
Lena, calm down, Edward interjected, his tone trying to soften. Youre making a mountain out of a molehill. Shes a young woman who likes nice things. Youve got everything alreadygood job, a house, a husband. Let her keep it, and you can buy something new.
Are you serious? Emma asked, incredulous. You think she should get away with stealing something I paid for out of my own pocket?
Margaret moved forward, wrapping an arm around Emmas shoulders. Charlotte didnt mean any harm. She just admired your ring. You have a safe job, a decent home. Shes just starting out. Dont be selfish.
Emma turned to me, searching my eyes for any sign of support. I could only shake my head, avoiding her gaze.
Lena, youre overreacting, I finally said. Its just a ring, not the end of the world.
The words hit her like a cold splash. She stood among the three people shed called family for three years and suddenly saw how mistaken shed been.
Her trembling stopped. A chill calm settled over her. She fished her phone from her pocket, dialed three numbers, and held it up to Margarets face.
Im giving you two minutes, she said, voice icy. Either return the ring, or Ill call the police.
You wont Edward began, his face turning a shade of red.
Well see about that, Emma replied, unwavering.
Charlotte broke down, clinging to her mother. Margaret tossed hostile looks at Emma but said nothing.
The clocks ticking, Emma reminded them.
Andrew! Margaret pleaded, desperation in her voice. Say something to your wife! Stop her!
Andrew stared at the floor, mute. I watched her smile, a bitter, contemptuous curl of the lips, and she reached for the call button.
Fine, fine! Charlotte shrieked, dashing to her bedroom and returning a minute later with a familiar velvet box. She flung it onto the coffee table.
Take it, you greedy, selfish whiner! she snapped.
Emma opened the box; the emeraldset ring gleamed under the lamp. She slipped it into the pocket of her coat and shut the box.
I thought you were reasonable, Charlotte sniffed, wiping tears from her cheeks. But youre just a miser.
Emma headed for the door, then turned back, eyes hard.
If Im this terrible, why did I stay in this house for three months? Did I use your internet, your hot water? If Im that bad, why did you pay for my courses? Explain yourself.
Charlotte stared away, speechless.
I stood there, hunched, refusing to look up. Emmas voice sharpened.
I never expected this from you, Andrew. Though, considering your family, Im not surprised.
She tossed me a set of car keys.
What? I asked, confused.
The cars mine too. I bought it with my own money. Hand them over.
Lena
Keys! she snapped, snatching them from my hand. I placed them in her palm; she clenched them like a promise and turned back to the door.
My things will be moved tomorrow, and Ill file for divorce then.
She walked out without waiting for a reply.
A month later the divorce was finalised. Emma looked at the dresser; the velvet box sat exactly where it always had, the emerald ring sparkling on its cushion.
Her phone buzzed with a new notification. She glanced at the screen; former inlaws were hurling accusationscalling her cold, selfish, the one who shattered a family. She didnt bother to reply; she simply added the number to her block list, as she had done with dozens of others.
Life without me proved simple and light. Their family drama no longer tangled with her days. She didnt care whether Charlotte found a job or not, nor how my parents would survive the winter.
Emma began making plans for herself, looking forward to holidays spent with people who truly loved her.
