Chapter 3 - A Calm Smile Before the Storm
Emma was standing in front of the mirror above the fireplace, holding her hair up with both hands.
“I think we should paint this wall cream,” she said. “The gray makes the room look depressing.”
Mark nodded.
“Whatever you want.”
I walked into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water.
Neither of them seemed to understand how absurd the situation had become.
Emma had not asked whether she had the legal right to be there.
Mark had not shown a single document.
They had entered with confidence, and confidence had apparently replaced reality.
Emma opened one of my cabinets.
“Do you even cook?” she asked me.
“Sometimes.”
“There are too many old dishes.”
“Most were wedding gifts.”
She smiled.
“Then they should definitely be thrown away.”
Mark laughed.
I took a slow drink.
“Emma, how long have you known Mark?”
She turned proudly.
“Almost six months.”
“Six months?”
“Yes.”
“And he has told you this apartment belongs to him?”
“Of course it does.”
Mark’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t start.”
I ignored him.
“Did he also tell you why he left his last girlfriend?”
Emma’s smile weakened.
“He said she was controlling.”
“That is one version.”
Mark stepped between us.
“You don’t need to answer her.”
“I’m only curious,” I said. “After all, she is preparing to live in my bedroom.”
“Your former bedroom,” he corrected.
Emma crossed her arms.
“What are you trying to say?”
I placed the glass on the counter.
“Nothing yet.”
Mark gave me a warning look.
“You have forty minutes.”
I turned to him.
“Do you still have the keys?”
He smiled and lifted a silver key ring from his pocket.
“Obviously.”
That explained how certain he had felt.
During the divorce, he had returned one set, but apparently kept a duplicate.
Interesting.
“Those keys no longer authorize you to enter.”
“They open the door.”
“That is not the same thing.”
His face hardened.
“Laura, stop acting like a lawyer.”
“I’m not acting like one.”
Emma looked between us.
“Mark, is there a problem?”
“No.”
“There seems to be.”
“There isn’t.”
He moved closer to me.
His voice became low.
“You are going to pack your things, leave quietly, and avoid embarrassing yourself.”
I looked directly into his eyes.
“Embarrassing myself?”
“You always become emotional.”
That sentence carried the weight of two decades.
Whenever he lied, I was emotional.
Whenever he disappeared overnight, I was unreasonable.
Whenever I found messages from other women, I was insecure.
Mark never committed betrayal.
He only reacted to my flaws.
But I was no longer the woman he remembered.
“I haven’t raised my voice once,” I said.
“That can change.”
“Not tonight.”
The doorbell rang.
Emma jumped slightly.
Mark looked annoyed.
“Are you expecting someone?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
I walked toward the hallway.
“My guest.”
When I opened the door, Rachel stood outside wearing a long black coat and carrying a leather briefcase.
Behind her stood a tall man in a gray uniform.
Mark’s expression changed immediately.
“What is this?”
Rachel entered without acknowledging him.
The uniformed man remained near the doorway.
Emma looked nervous.
“Is he police?”
“No,” Rachel said. “He is a licensed property security officer.”
Mark laughed, but the sound lacked confidence.
“This is unnecessary.”
Rachel removed several papers from her briefcase.
“I disagree.”
She looked at me.
“Are you safe?”
“Yes.”
“Has anything been damaged?”
“Not yet.”
Mark stepped forward.
“You have no authority here.”
Rachel turned toward him.
“Actually, Mr. Dawson, I represent the legal owner of this property.”
He pointed at himself.
“That’s me.”
Rachel held out the first page.
“No, it is not.”
Emma slowly lowered her hands.
The room became silent.
Mark stared at the document but did not take it.
Rachel placed it on the table.
“The title transfer was completed nine months ago. The apartment belongs solely to Laura Dawson.”
Mark’s face went pale.
“That’s impossible.”
“You signed the transfer agreement.”
“I signed divorce papers.”
“You signed several documents.”
His jaw tightened.
“You tricked me.”
Rachel’s voice remained calm.
“No one tricked you. You declined independent review.”
Emma looked at him.
“You said this apartment was yours.”
“It is.”
Rachel shook her head.
“It legally is not.”
Mark turned toward me with fury.
May you like
I smiled.
“There are still thirty-two minutes left.”
