Excuse me, lady, stop trying to break down someone elses door. You dont live here any more, the young woman snapped, staring down at Rose with haughty contempt. Take your bags, get your hands and feet together, and get out of here as fast as you can.
What? Rose panted.
Now! Move it!
Rose sighed wearily, clutching the grocery bags shed just brought home. It had been an endless day of backtoback meetings, and she was finally looking forward to a quiet evening. Shed even thought about walking home instead of driving. Silly, she thought, as she shuffled down the pavement, the bags weighing her down. The next morning shed take a taxi, because shed left the car at the office and the thought of a stroll now seemed exhausting.
She fumbled with the key, turned it a few times in the lock, but the door stayed stubbornly shut. She tugged on the handle nothing. Blast it! she muttered, hanging on the handle as if it might give way. Did I get the right floor?
Had she, in her fatigue, mistaken the flat for someone elses? She counted the doors: first, second third. Apartment 17, on the right. It wasnt a mistake. Someone must have locked themselves in perhaps her husband, Ethan.
Ethan? Are you there? she called, pressing her ear to the wood. Silence.
Ethan would be at work until late; they hadnt arranged for him to come home early. A flicker of worry crossed her mind: could something have happened to him? Had he arrived early and collapsed? She dismissed it; Ethan always called if his plans changed. If hed wanted to get home early, hed have let her know.
She tried the handle again, louder this time. Come on, open up, she growled, then began knocking. First gently, then with increasing urgency. From inside she heard faint shuffling, as if someone were pacing, but the door remained unmoved.
This is ridiculous! Rose shouted. Whos in there? Im calling the police! Im sure its thieves!
Her words seemed to have no effect. The muffled noises continued. She reached for her phone to dial 999 when, suddenly, the door swung open.
Standing in the doorway was a tiny figure, almost like an angel. She had oversized, animestyle eyes, snowwhite hair that fell to her waist, and a mouth that looked like it belonged in a cartoon. She seemed fragile, and Rose was momentarily speechless.
The little figure repeated her earlier warning: Excuse me, lady, stop trying to break down someone elses door. You dont live here any more. Take your bags, get your hands and feet together, and get out of here as fast as you can.
What? Rose gasped.
Now! Move it!
Rose had a rule at work: always stay calm, no matter who you dealt with. She tried to keep that composure, but the absurdity of the scene forced her into action. In one swift motion she grabbed the girls hair and, despite her yelps, hauled her inside.
You! Let go of me! Im pregnant! the blonde intruder shrieked, trying to break free.
Rose ignored the cries, scanning the hallway. At the far end, by the living room, lay an open suitcase, halfpacked and halfdisassembled.
She released the girl, who snarled and flung a heavy bronze candlestick at Rose. Rose dodged, then clutched the girls hair again and shoved her onto a kitchen chair.
Sit down and answer my questions when I ask. Youre in my house now. If I have to call the police, youll be charged with illegal entry, Rose said, her voice cold.
The girl continued to protest, but Rose waited until the shouting faded and then asked simply, Who are you?
The girl shook her head, brushed hair from her face, and snapped, Im Molly! And Im going to be Ethans wife!
Rose had already pieced together the puzzle. The lock hadnt been forced, and the girl wasnt a thiefshe was packing her belongings. Someone had let her in. By whom? The question seemed rhetorical, yet the answer mattered.
Right, Rose said dryly, Ethan is already my husband. Are you sure you havent mixed him up with someone else?
Molly snapped back, but Rose kept her on the chair.
I didnt mix him up! Ethan loves me. Hes filing for divorce. He says you dont understand him! And Im carrying his child! Mollys voice rang, making Roses head throb. Well live here, so I demand you leave his flat at once!
Rose leaned against the doorframe, watching this absurd drama unfold. Just yesterday shed believed everything was fine with Ethan. Now a woman with a suitcase, a pregnancy claim, and threats was in her home.
So what did Ethan tell you about marrying me? Rose asked, irony lacing her tone. If Im so what?
Molly didnt answer immediately.
He said it was a mistake! He thinks youre cold. He wants someone who gets his soul! Molly declared.
Rose raised an eyebrow. And when did he swear everlasting love to you, nine years ago?
Molly, realizing she wasnt in immediate danger, softened. Weve only known each other six months. He writes me poems, takes me out to restaurants. No one has ever courted me like that. Leave us alone.
Rose smirked. Your happiness, not mine. But something about those poems, those restaurants Ethan? Thats my Ethan, not some romantic hero. Hes sensible, honest, and he loves me loved, at least.
She thought for a moment. Maybe hes been hiding a creative side?
God help you, Rose said, Im not here to ruin your happiness, but half the property is mine. She saw confusion flicker in Mollys eyes. I dont know what Ethan told you, but he didnt hand me to the street. We earned everything together. Before we discuss divorce and property, I need to know how you got a key to our flat.
Molly stared, surprised. He just gave them to me!
Roses mind raced. Ethan giving a duplicate key to someone else seemed impossible; he knew that would only anger her. Yet the key fit. Ethan was smart; he wouldnt have expected this.
While Rose mulled over apartments, cars, and revenge plans, a click sounded in the lock and Ethan himself stepped in.
Rose? Why are you up so early? he asked, puzzled by her presence in the hallway.
She brushed off a smile. I thought Id surprise you. I left work early, bought a few things, wanted to cook dinner. Turns out we have guests.
Ethan frowned, then spotted Molly perched on the chair, hair disheveled, eyes sharp.
Whos this? he asked cautiously.
Look at the look on your face! Who could it be? Oh, thats right, dear, this is your new wife and the mother of your future child, Rose sang, watching Ethans reaction.
Ethans face turned a shade of disbelief. What nonsense is this? Ive never seen this girl before!
Rose circled him. I figured youd deny it or claim it was an accident, but youve really outdone yourself, havent you?
Ethan tried to speak, but Rose cut him off. How convenient not to tell our sonor daughterabout his mothers presence. And why didnt you tell her the flat was shared? Trying to impress?
Ethan stammered, I
Molly interjected, I dont know him either
Rose dropped her pretentious tone and shouted, Enough of this circus! Molly, your lies wont help. Its too late to come here if you wanted to protect him. Now, tell me everything. How did you get the keys? What did Ethan promise?
Molly hesitated, eyes darting. He he promised well not me. It was someone else, I think
Rose pressed, Formulate that!
Its its not our Ethan. I met a man in a bar who called himself Ethan. We went to restaurants, he took me home in his car Then he seemed to lose interest, and I took extreme measures, Molly confessed.
So you believed this was his house? Rose asked.
Yes, Molly whispered.
Did you just decide to take over a strangers flat? Rose added.
I hoped if I showed up here and forced his hand, hed have no choice but to leave his wife and marry me. But this isnt his flat, is it?
Rose, now exhausted, said, Im calling the police. An unknown man posing as Ethan brought you into our home with our keys. Either were in a tragic comedy, or you both are master liars.
Silence fell. Rose then turned to Ethan, eyes narrowed. Ethan, whats going on? Anything to say?
He glanced at Rose, then at Molly, then back at Rose. Well uh I have something to say.
Speak up, Rose demanded, or I wont be responsible for what happens next.
Ethan exhaled and admitted that he had given a spare set of keysboth for the flat and the carto his brother Fred, thinking he might need them if anything happened. He asked for them, I thought it was harmless. He said hed stay a week while we were away on a trip to Greece, Ethan explained.
Rose stared at him, stunned. So thats why things felt off when we got back. Did you think Id notice an extra set of footprints?
It wasnt my idea, Ethan muttered. He just asked.
Rose smirked, He just asked. So he borrowed your car, pretended to be you, and brought girls into our flat. Brilliant. Lets call Fred right now and have him come over.
Reluctantly, Ethan agreed. An hour later, Fred arrived, a broadshouldered man with a cheeky grin. He stopped short when he saw Molly.
Good afternoon, Fred said, trying to stay friendly.
Good afternoon indeed, Rose snapped, Did you pose as Ethan and usher this girl into our home?
Fred tried to joke, Come on, I was just looking for a bit of fun, a little adrenaline It was a prank.
A prank? Rose raised an eyebrow. Ill play one too. Shes pregnant with your child.
Fred choked, trying to hide his panic. Rose pressed, Did you give her a key?
At that moment, Molly, who had been silent, lifted her head. I made a copy myself. I wanted to push his wife out, you know, you and me. She spat, I thought if I had a key I could take his place.
The picture finally clicked: Fred had impersonated Ethan, driving the girls around in his car. Molly, smitten and pregnant, decided she wanted to become his wife and thought the easiest way was to evict his real wife. Shed duplicated the key and tried to force herself out.
Realizing hed been caught, Fred tried to run, but Rose blocked the exit.
Ill ask you to stay, or Ill call the police, she warned.
Fred, terrified, slumped and listened as Rose poured out everything she thought of him. Then she tossed him out the front door.
She turned back to Ethan, eyes fierce. I cant believe you gave a stranger a key to our home.
I just wanted to help my brother, Ethan whispered. What was I supposed to think would happen?
You should have thought, Rose snapped, that a careless decision can ruin lives. You almost turned my marriage into a farce.
Ethan bowed his head. Im sorry.
Rose sighed, Ill forgive you but not now. Im hungry.
Ill make dinner, Ethan offered.
The night ended with Rose cooking, Ethan washing dishes, and Molly leaving with her suitcase, still clutching the idea of a life that never existed. As the kitchen lights dimmed, Rose cleaned the counter and thought about the chaos that a single set of spare keys had unleashed.
She realized that trust is fragile, and a moments thoughtlessness can spiral into disaster. She resolved to keep her doors locked, both literally and figuratively, and to never underestimate the power of a small decision.
In the quiet after the storm, Rose understood that the best protection against trouble is not just a sturdy lock, but a careful mind that thinks before it shares the key.
