Emma shouts, Andrew, can you hear me? My emerald ring is nowhere! She flips the bedroom upside down, pulling open drawers, turning every box inside out. Her hands shake with rising panic. That ring is her prideshe bought it with the bonus from her first major promotion, a reminder of how she earned her place at the firm. And now it has vanished.
Andrew sighs wearily, finally putting down his smartphone. Emma, it cant have just disappeared. You must have misplaced it somewhere. Youll remember when youre tired.
No, Im certain, Emma turns to him, eyes blazing. I only ever keep it in the little jewellery box on the dresser. I never put it anywhere else. You know that.
Andrew waves a hand. Itll turn up. Dont get worked up over nothing.
Nothing? Emmas voice sharpens. Its not nothing, Andrew, its a valuable piece Christina must have taken it. Shes the only other person who could have.
Andrew frowns, puts his phone aside, and looks at her with thinly veiled irritation. Youre blaming her again. Christina wouldnt do that.
Oh really? Emma folds 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 immediately. Lets drive to her place right now.
Andrews shoulders tighten, his lips form a thin line. He clearly doesnt want this trip, doesnt want a scene, but Emma wont back down.
Emma, maybe we shouldnt? Think about why shed want your ring.
Its beautiful and expensive. Lets go. Now.
With a sigh, Andrew complies. They pile into the car and head out of London toward a small cottage in the Cotswolds. Emma sits in the passenger seat clutching her phone, her mind a storm. Every mile feels like an effort. Andrew stays silent, glancing at her only when a hint of reproach flickers in his eyes.
After an hour they arrive at the parents house. The quiet porch greets them. Emma steps out first, marching straight to the door.
Margaret, Andrews mother, opens it and freezes, surprise written across her face. Andrew? Emma? Whats the matter? We werent expecting you.
Wheres Christina? Emma demands, skipping any pleasantries.
Shes home, of course. She just got here from you yesterday, Margaret says, stepping aside to let them in. Come inwhats happened?
Emma strides into the sitting room where James, the fatherinlaw, and Christina sit at the coffee table. Christina looks up, eyes widening.
Christina, you need to return my ring properly, or things will get ugly for all of us, Emma says, stopping in the middle of the room. Im not letting this go.
A heavy silence falls. James rises slowly from his seat.
Who gave you permission to act like that in someone elses home? his voice low and threatening. Are you accusing my daughter of theft?
Im stating a fact, Emma replies, her throat tight. My emerald ring has disappeared. It vanished after Christina left. No one else was in the flat.
Margaret erupts, My daughter could not have stolen anything! Youre insulting our whole family!
Exactly. She must explain where my ring is, and shed better hurry, because my patience is wearing thin.
Andrew stands by the door, pale and silent, watching the exchange, eyes darting between his wife and his sister.
Christina suddenly hiccups, her lower lip trembling, tears brimming.
I I just wanted to try it on for a moment. Its so pretty. Did you think Id keep it hidden? I thought you wouldnt notice
Emma freezes. She expected denial, outrage, maybe a tantrum, but not a blunt confession as if Emma herself were at fault.
Feel sorry for me? she breathes, fury rising like a wave. Yes, I feel sorry! I spent three months doing overtime to earn that ring. And you just took it without asking! Its absurd, you understand?
Emma, calm down, James finally interjects. Youre making a mountain out of a molehill. Shes just a young woman who loves nice things. You have everything already. Let Christina keep the ring, and youll buy another one later.
Are you serious? Margaret asks, moving to hug Emmas shoulders. Christina didnt mean any harm. She admired your ring, dreamed of having one. You have a good job, a husband, a flat. Shes just starting out. Dont be selfish.
Emma turns to Andrew, searching his eyes for any hint of support. He only shakes his head, avoiding her gaze.
Youre overreacting, Emma, he says at last. Its just a ring. Not the end of the world.
The ring was her achievement, her joy, her propertyjust a ring. As she stands among people shes called family for three years, Emma suddenly sees how mistaken shes been. Her hands stop trembling; a cold calm settles over her.
She pulls her phone from her pocket, taps the call screen, dials three digits, and holds the device up to Margarets face.
Im giving you two minutes, she says, voice steady and icy. Either return the ring to me, or Im calling the police. Your choice.
You wont James snarls, his face flushing.
Well see, Emma replies, unmoving.
Christina wails, clutching at her mother. Margaret shoots a murderous look at Emma but says nothing.
Times ticking, Emma reminds.
Andrew! Margaret pleads, eyes wide. Say something to your wife! Stop her!
Andrew stays silent, staring at the floor. Emma smiles bitterly, pulls the call button.
Alright, alright! Christina shrieks, dashing to her bedroom. She returns a minute later, clutching a familiar velvet box, slams it onto the table in front of Emma.
Take it! My precious ring! You greedy old hag!
Emma opens the boxinside, the emerald glints in the lamp light. She slips it into the pocket of her coat.
You thought I was normal, Christina sniffs, wiping tears. But youre selfish and cruel.
Emma heads for the door, but stops, turning back. Her voice rings with barely restrained anger.
If Im so bad, why did I live in your flat for three months? I paid the rent, used the internet, hot water. If Im that bad, why did you ask me to cover your courses? Explain that.
Christina scowls and walks away, speechless.
Emma looks at Andrew, still hunched, head down. I never expected this from you, Andrew. Given your family, it isnt surprising youd be the same.
She thrusts a set of car keys into his hand.
What? he asks.
The cars mine too. I bought it with my own money. Hand them over.
Emma
Keys! she snaps, gripping his wrist. He fumbles into his pocket and places the keys in her palm. She squeezes them, turns to the exit, and pauses one last time.
Ill collect my things tomorrow and file for divorce.
She walks out without waiting for a reply.
A month later the divorce is finalized. Emma looks at the dresser; the jewellery box sits where it always has. On a velvet cushion, her emerald ring shines.
Her phone buzzes on the tableanother notification. Former relatives accuse her of hardness, of breaking up the family, calling her selfish. She doesnt reply; she simply blocks the number, as she has done with dozens of others.
Life without Andrew feels simple and light. His familys problems no longer touch her. She doesnt care whether Christina finds a job or not, nor how his parents house will survive the winter.
Emma now makes plans for herself alone, intending to spend the holidays with those who truly love her.
