“Want my husband? Hes all yours!” said Emily with a smirk, facing the unfamiliar woman at her door.
“Hold on a sec, Sophie! Someones ringing the bell. Ill call you back once I see who it is,” said Jessica, hesitating before ending the call with her childhood friend. Sophie had been recounting the hilarious details of her mother-in-laws birthday party, and Jessica couldnt stop laughing, as if shed been watching a comedy sketch.
She headed to the door, peeked through the peephole, and frowned. Shed expected a neighbourafter all, strangers rarely got past the secure entry system in their building. But standing there was a young woman shed never seen before, looking oddly out of place.
Jessica decided not to open up. Best to avoid unknown visitors, especially these days with all the scams going around. She had a firm ruleno chatting with strangers. Con artists preyed on the gullible, but Jessica wasnt one of them.
She lifted her phone to resume her call with Sophie, but the doorbell rang again. The woman outside was persistent, clearly convinced someone was home and determined to get an answer.
Jessica was aloneher husband, Daniel, had gone to help a mate with some garden work. She turned back to the door and took a proper look this time. Something about the woman seemed off, almost pitiful, but not threatening.
“Whats the worst that could happen if I just open the door and tell her to leave? Then I can get back to my quiet weekend,” Jessica thought. “Probably lost or trying to sell me something dodgy.”
Decision made, she unlocked the door. The woman in the hallway straightened up immediately, fussing with her hair before speaking.
“Hello! Youre Jessica, right?” she asked, playing with the scarf around her neck. “Well, of course you arewhy even ask?”
“Now thats interesting,” Jessica mused. “Scammers are getting clever these days. She even knows my name.”
“Who are you, and what do you want? Youve been standing there for five minutes. I didnt invite you, so say your piece or leave!” Jessica said sharply.
“Is Daniel home?” the stranger asked, catching her off guard.
“Well, thats unexpected,” Jessica thought, suspicion rising. “She knows my husbands name too. Definitely prepared.”
“Youre here for Daniel?” Jessica asked, though shed planned to say something entirely different.
“No, I came to speak with you. But if Daniels here, itll make things harder for me,” the woman replied, almost casually.
“Harder for you? Whats going on?” Jessica wondered, curiosity prickling.
“Hes not here. What do you want?”
“Maybe we should talk inside. Its awkward discussing this in the hallway,” the woman suggested, growing bolder.
“No chance! I dont know you, and I dont let strangers into my home. Say what you need to say and make it quick,” Jessica snapped.
“Do you really want to discuss the intimate details of my relationship with Daniel out here where the neighbours can hear?” the woman replied with a sly smile.
“What? What relationship?” Jessica blurted, louder than shed meant.
“Jessica, love, is everything alright? Why the shouting?” asked Mrs. Thompson, their nosy neighbour, stepping out of the lift.
“Oh, hello, Mrs. Thompson! Everythings fine. Lovely weather, isnt it?” Jessica tried to deflect.
“Looks like rain later,” Mrs. Thompson replied, though she lingered, clearly intrigued.
“Fine, come in,” Jessica muttered, motioning for the woman to enter.
Inside, the woman glanced around with interest, eyeing the decor like a tourist.
“Youve got five minutes. Talk,” Jessica said, blocking her from moving further. “This isnt a museum.”
“My names Natasha,” the woman began, unwrapping her scarf. “Daniel and I are in love.”
“Oh, classic! Couldnt come up with something more original?” Jessica cut in, smirking.
“Whats cliché about love? It happens. Youre not the first wife whose husband moved on,” Natasha shot back confidently, trying to step past her.
“And youre sure he doesnt love me anymore but loves you?” Jessica asked, still smiling.
“Absolutely! Otherwise, I wouldnt be here,” Natasha declared.
“Well, the problem is, my husband doesnt love anyone. He doesnt know how. So youre mistaken, love,” Jessica said calmly.
Natasha opened her mouth to argue, but just then, the door swung openand Daniel walked in.
“Natasha? What are you doing here on a Saturday? Something up at work?” he asked, baffled.
“No, shes here for you,” Jessica said, relishing the moment.
“For me? What do you mean? Did something happen at the office?” Daniel pressed, growing more confused.
“No, darling. She came to take you away from me. Permanently,” Jessica replied with a smirk.
Natasha, flustered, grabbed her coat and started backing toward the door.
“Leaving so soon? What about Daniel? Didnt you come for him? Honestly, Id be more than happy to hand him over,” Jessica teased.
But Natasha was already out the door without another word.
“What was all that about?” Daniel asked, completely lost.
“You tell me! Why did that woman show up demanding a divorce and claiming youd move in with her?” Jessica folded her arms.
“Are you serious?” Daniel looked genuinely shocked. “Ive got no idea whats going on. Shes been acting odd at work, but I never gave her any reason. Im sick of this nonsense. I promised you, remember?”
“Good. Because you know me, DanielI dont tolerate this rubbish. Honestly, some women will do anything to fix their messy lives,” Jessica sighed, shaking her head.
Daniel kicked off his shoes and headed to the kitchen while Jessica lingered, lost in thought. She vowed not to let nonsense like this shake their peace. Unintentionally, she smiledNatashas whole “plan” had been embarrassingly sloppy.
One thing was clear: no matter what others tried, their marriage was stronger than anyone realised.
