Wheres my ring? Ellie shouted, turning the bedroom upside down. The emeraldset ring isnt anywhere! She stood amid open drawers and boxes turned inside out, breath ragged, hands trembling with a rising panic. That ring had been her trophybought with the bonus from her first big promotion, a reminder of how shed clawed her way into the firm. And now it had vanished.
Andrew sighed wearily, finally putting his phone down.
Ellie, it cant have gone far. You must have misplaced it. Youll remember when youre rested, he said.
I know exactly where I put it, Ellie snapped, eyes blazing. Only in that little jewellery box on the dresser. Never anywhere else. You know I always put things back where they belong.
Andrew waved a hand. Itll turn up. Dont stress over nothing.
Nothing? Ellies voice cut like a winter wind. This isnt nothing, Andrewthis is priceless. It was my sister who took it. Thats it! No one else could have. He frowned, the irritation clear on his face.
Your sister wouldnt do that, he muttered, setting the phone aside. Christina would never act like that.
Who else has been in our flat these past three months? Whos been rummaging around while were at work? I want her to bring the ring back this instant. Were going to her place now.
Andrews shoulders tightened, his lips forming a thin line. He clearly didnt want the trip, but Ellie wouldnt retreat.
Ellie, maybe we shouldnt? Thinkwhy would she need your ring?
Its beautiful and expensive. Lets go. Now.
With a sigh of exasperation, they drove out of the London suburb of Harrow, heading toward a village beyond the green belt. Ellie perched on the passenger seat, phone clenched in her hand, every kilometre feeling like a weight. Andrew stayed silent, casting occasional glances that carried a quiet rebuke.
An hour later they pulled up to Andrews parents cottage. The house greeted them with a hush. Ellie was the first out, marching straight to the front door.
Mrs. Whitaker opened and froze on the threshold, eyes wide with surprise. Andy? Ellie? What on earth we werent expecting you.
Wheres Christina? Ellie demanded, skipping the pleasantries.
Inside, dear. She just got here yesterday, Mrs. Whitaker said, stepping aside to let them in. Come in, whats happened?
Ellie strode into the sitting room where Mr. Whitaker and Christina sat at the table. Christinas head snapped up, her eyes widening.
Christina, you must return my ringproperly, Ellie said, halting in the centre of the room. Otherwise things will get ugly. I wont let this slide.
A heavy silence settled. Mr. Whitaker rose slowly from his seat.
Who gave you permission to behave like that in our home? his voice low, threatening. Are you accusing our daughter of theft?
Im stating a fact, Ellie replied, heart pounding in her throat. My emerald ring has disappeared. It vanished after Christina left. No one else was in the flat.
Mrs. Whitaker shrieked. My daughter would never steal! Youre insulting our family!
Its simpleexplain where my ring is. Hurry, because my patience is wearing thin. Andrew stood by the door, pale and mute, his gaze flickering between his wife and his sister.
Christina began to sob, her lower lip quivering, tears spilling. I I just wanted to try it on for a moment. Its so pretty. I thought you wouldnt notice if I put it back
Ellie stared, stunned. She had braced for denial, outrage, perhaps a tantrum, but not this frank confession, as if she herself were to blame.
Pity? Ellie exhaled, anger rising like a tide. Yes, Im sorry! I spent three months working overtime to earn that bonus and buy that ring! And you just took it without asking! Thats absurd, do you understand?
Ellie, calm down, Mr. Whitaker finally said. Youre making a mountain out of a molehill. Shes just a young woman who likes beautiful things. You have everythinggood job, a husband, a nice flat. Let her keep the ring; shell think of you. You can buy another.
They were serious? They really thought she should surrender something shed paid for because her sister wanted it?
Ellie, be a bit more charitable, Mrs. Whitaker intervened, wrapping an arm around her daughter. Christina didnt mean any harm. She admired your ring, dreamed of having one. You have it allcareer, husband, home. Shes just starting out. Dont be selfish; its not the end of the world.
Ellie turned to Andrew, searching his eyes for any sign of support, any word of defence. He only shook his head, avoiding her stare.
Youre overreacting, Ellie, he finally said. Its just a ring. Not the end of the world.
Just a ringher achievement, her joy, her possessionjust a ring. Ellie stood among the people shed called family for three years, suddenly aware how wrong shed been.
Her hands stopped shaking. A cold calm settled over her.
She fished her phone from her coat pocket, tapped the dial, and held it up to Mrs. Whitakers face.
Im giving you two minutes, she said, voice flat and icy. Return the ring to me, or Ill call the police. Your choice.
You wont Mr. Whitaker stepped forward, his face reddening.
Well see, Ellie replied, unmoved.
Christina wailed, clutching at her mother. Mrs. Whitaker shot a hostile glance at Ellie but said nothing.
The clock is ticking, Ellie reminded them.
Andrew! Mrs. Whitaker pleaded. Say something to your wife! Stop her!
Andrew stayed silent, staring at the floor. Ellie smirked, bitter and contemptuous, and reached for the call button.
Enough, enough! Christina shrieked, dashing to her room and returning a minute later with a familiar velvet box. She flung it onto the table in front of Ellie.
Take it! Your precious ring! You greedy, stingy witch!
Ellie lifted the box, opened itinside, the emerald glimmered in the lamp light. She slipped it back into the velvet cushion, tucked it into her coat pocket.
I thought you were decent, Christina sniffed, wiping her cheeks. But youre selfish and cruel.
Ellie headed for the door, then turned back, her gaze hard.
If Im so bad, why did I live in your flat for three months? I paid the rent, used your internet, your hot water. If Im so bad, why did you ask me to cover your courses? Explain that.
Christina scowled, turned away, speechless.
Ellie glanced at her husband. He hunched, eyes still down, a pitiful sight. She spoke with contempt.
I never expected this from you, Andrew. Considering the sort of family you have It would be odd if you turned out any different. She thrust out her hand.
The car keys.
Andrew lifted his head, frowning.
What?
The car is mine too. I bought it with my own money. Hand them over.
Ellie
Keys! she snapped, grabbing his wrist.
He slipped his hand into his pocket and placed the set of keys on her palm. She clenched them into a fist and, at the doorway, turned one last time.
Ill collect your things tomorrow, and Ill file for divorce as well.
She walked out without waiting for an answer.
A month later the divorce was finalised. Ellie looked at the dresser; the jewellery box sat where it always had. On its velvet pad lay her emerald ring, sparkling.
Her phone buzzed on the tableanother notification. She glanced at the screen. Former relatives accused her of coldness, of breaking the family, of being selfish. She didnt bother to reply. She simply added the number to her block list, as she had done with dozens before.
Life without Andrew proved simple and light. His familys dramas no longer touched her. She didnt care whether Christina found a job. She wasnt anxious about how his parents house would survive the winter.
Ellie began to plan only for herself, intending to spend holidays with those who truly loved her.
