Imogen will be living here now, James said, stepping in from his break.
Today felt like a special one.
James was just getting back from a twoweek getaway. Hed gone down to Brighton to take a proper break, as he put it away from work, the city, and probably even from Evelyn a bit. Evelyn didnt take it personally. Hed been exhausted; let him recharge.
Shed stayed home, juggling her job, chores, and the flat that needed a good tidy while he was away. Shed washed the windows, reorganised the wardrobes, even swept out the balcony. All so that when he walked through the door the place would feel cosy and welcoming.
The front door slammed.
James? Evelyn peeked out of the kitchen, drying her hands on her apron.
He stood in the hall, sunkissed and relaxed, a suitcase in one hand and a bag of souvenirs in the other, smiling in a way that felt a little off.
Hey, he said, pulling off his trainers.
How was the trip? Evelyn asked, moving closer. She wanted to hug him, but he was already slipping past into the living room.
Brilliant, he called back from the doorway. Sea, sun, met a lot of interesting people.
Evelyn turned off the hob and called James to dinner.
He sat down, ate quietly without looking up.
Whats up with you? she asked gently. Something on your mind?
James set down his fork, looked at her, and said:
Evelyn, Imogen will be living here.
Evelyn froze.
What?
Imogen. I met her in Brighton. Shes in a tough spot, no place to stay. I invited her over for a while, just temporary.
You Evelyn stumbled for words. You invited another woman to live in our flat?
Shes not a stranger, James replied calmly. Weve become friends. Shes a good person. Youll see once you meet her.
I have to understand? Evelyn snapped.
Evelyn, dont overthink it. Its only short term! A couple of weeks, maybe a month, until she finds a job and a place of her own.
Evelyn stared at the man shed spent seven years with, the man whod promised to always be there, and now he was telling her hed bring a stranger into their home. And she was supposed to just understand.
Whens she arriving? Evelyn asked quietly.
Tomorrow morning, James said.
Evelyn got up from the table, cleared the dishes, washed the plates, her hands trembling. Inside her, a cold, dark wave rose.
Imogen arrived at ten oclock.
Two suitcases and a massive shoulder bag in tow. Bright, wellkept tanned skin, shiny shoulderlength hair, a flawless smile. Tight jeans that clung to her shape, a gold chain glinting at her neck.
Evelyn watched from the hall as James helped the guest shed her coat, carefully handling her belongings, smiling.
Come on in, make yourself at home, James said. Evelyn, this is Imogen.
Hi! Imogen extended a hand, shaking it firmly. Thanks for letting me stay. I wont be long, I promise!
Evelyn gave a silent nod.
Shed agreed. No one had asked her.
Your rooms just here, James opened the door to a small bedroom off the lounge. The sofa folds out, fresh linen, anything you need just say.
Oh, lovely! Imogen walked in, eyeing the space. So cosy. Can I hang a picture later? To make it feel more like mine?
Evelyn felt something tighten inside.
Of course, James replied. Feel at home.
And then the real twist began.
Imogen settled in like she owned the place from day one. She rose early even before Evelyn. Shed stride into the kitchen in short shorts and a top, pour herself a coffee, and sit opposite James at the table. Theyd chat, laugh, have their own little world.
Evelyn would pop in, the conversation would drop.
Good morning, Imogen would say with a grin. Mind if I help myself to your Turkish coffee? Its brilliant!
Evelyn just nodded, heading off to work.
Shed return in the evening to find Imogen lounging in the lounge, TV on, legs draped over the sofa.
Evelyn, could you wash this jumper for me? Imogen would ask.
Evelyn pointed at the washing machine.
Its right over there, she said evenly. Youll have to do it yourself.
Imogens smile cooled a fraction.
Fine, fine, sorry.
But it didnt stop there. Imogen started cooking, spreading her groceries across every shelf, taking over pots and the stove.
James, have a go! she called, serving him pasta just like in Italy.
Evelyn watched from the doorway as James ate, praising the dish, not even glancing at her.
Evelyn, want some? Imogen offered, holding out a spoon.
No, thanks, Evelyn replied, retreating to the bedroom.
A couple of weeks in, the gossip started. The downstairs neighbour, Aunt Lucy, stopped Evelyn in the hallway:
So whats this about a guest? Young, prettyyour husband brought her home from his holiday?
Evelyn swallowed.
Shes just staying temporarily. A friend.
A friend, you say, Lucy squinted. Well, friends can bedifferent.
Ever feel like everyones whispering about you but nobody says it to your face? Evelyn felt it. The shop assistant gave her a pitying glance, a coworker asked, Hows home life? with an edge that made Evelyn want to crawl under the floorboards.
At home, James was spending more and more time with Imogen. Theyd watch films together, stay up late in the kitchen chatting about anything and everything.
Evelyn tried to speak up:
James, isnt it time? She said it was temporary. Its been three weeks.
Evelyn, give her a bit more time. Shes looking for work, a flat. We cant just throw her out onto the street!
And what about me?
James looked surprised.
What do you mean? What does this have to do with you?
This is my home! I never gave you permission!
Youre being overly jealous, James snapped. Imogen is just a friend. Youre making a drama out of nothing.
Evelyn realised he either didnt see the problem or deliberately chose not to.
And it got worse.
One evening Evelyn got home early, slipped the door shut, and tiptoed to the kitchen. James and Imogen were at the window, standing closetoo close. He was whispering something to her, and they were both laughing.
Then James rested his hand on Imogens shoulder.
Evelyn froze.
Whats happening? she demanded.
They turned.
Oh, Evelyn! James pulled his hand away. Youre up early.
Whats happening? she repeated.
Nothing, really, he said irritably. We were just talking.
Imogen stayed silent, eyes on the floor.
Evelyn walked away, heading to the bedroom. She couldnt take it any longer.
She lay awake all night, staring at the ceiling, hearing James moving around the bathroom, then the bedroom, lying down beside her without even a hug, just turning his side away.
In the morning she decided enough was enough.
James, she said as he was making coffee, we need to talk. The three of us.
He looked up.
About what?
Everything. Tonight. And tell Imogen.
Evelyn.
No arguing. Just do it.
That night they all sat at the table.
Evelyn set the plates.
Thanks for inviting me, Imogen said, a tentative smile. I didnt expect this.
I didnt expect much either, Evelyn cut in. So lets be honest.
She looked at James, then at Imogen.
Ive got one question, straight up. And I expect a straight answer.
Evelyn, whats that about? James began.
Shut up. Evelyns voice was calm but firm. Imogen, what are you here as? A lodger, a family member, or his second wife?
Silence fell.
Imogens face went pale. James froze with his glass halfway to his mouth.
I Imogen started.
Answer honestly, Evelyn pressed. Im tired of pretending. Tired of hearing you whisper in corners, cooking his breakfasts, using my things, my kitchen, my flat, and acting like you own this place!
Evelyn, calm down, James tried to intervene.
No! Evelyn slammed her hand on the table. The glasses rang. Ive put up with this for a whole month!
Imogen lowered her eyes.
I didnt want to
Didnt want what? Evelyn leaned forward. Didnt want to live here? Didnt want to take my spot?!
Im not taking your spot.
You are!
Imogen lifted her head, met Evelyns gaze, and said:
Fine. Want the truth? Here it is. James and I have been having an affair. Since that Brighton trip. He didnt just invite me to stay he asked me to come because he loves me.
The words hung heavy in the air.
Evelyn felt everything inside her snap.
She turned slowly to James.
Is that true?
James stayed silent, staring at the table.
Yes, he finally exhaled. Yes, Evelyn. Its true.
Evelyn leaned back, hands shaking, heart pounding as if it might burst.
So youve been lying to me this whole month? Saying shes just a friend? Saying Im making a drama?
I never meant to hurt you.
Never meant to? Evelyn laughed, bitterly hysterical. You brought your lover into our home! Forced me to live under the same roof! And you say you never meant to hurt me?
Evelyn, Im sorry.
Shut up. She stood, voice cracking. Just shut up.
Imogen also rose.
Evelyn, I get how hard this is for you.
You get nothing! Evelyn shouted. You came into my house! Slept in my flat! Ate from my dishes! All while playing the victim!
She didnt finish the sentence, turned and stalked to the bedroom.
James followed.
Evelyn, lets talk calmly.
Talk? Evelyn flung open a wardrobe, pulling out his things. Now well talk. Pack your stuff. And hers too. Both of you. Leave. Now.
Evelyn, you cant
I can! She threw his shirt on the floor. This is my flat! I bought it! I decide who lives here!
But
No buts! Evelyn stared at him with pure hatred, pain, contempt. You betrayed me. Now get out.
James stood, lost and helpless.
Evelyn
I said get out!
He began gathering his belongings slowly. Imogen stood in the doorway, watching in silence.
Half an hour later they were gone, suitcases in hand, the picture Imogen never got to hang left behind.
The first week Evelyn barely left the apartment. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, crying, then just lying there. The emptiness was so heavy she could barely breathe.
James kept calling, texting. She didnt answer. Imogen also tried to reach out, apologising, begging for forgiveness. Evelyn blocked her number.
One morning she finally got up, looked at herself in the mirror pale, dark circles, hair messy. She thought, Enough.
Enough of the pain. Enough of handing over control to those whod stabbed you.
She took a shower, changed, brewed a cup of tea, flung the windows open, let fresh air flood in, and started a new chapter.
A month later divorce papers arrived. Evelyn signed them without a second thought. The flat stayed with her shed bought it before the marriage, so James had no claim.
He tried to meet, to talk. Evelyn refused.
We have nothing to discuss, she wrote. You made your choice. Live with him.
Later she learned James and Imogen had moved in together, rented a place for two, but happiness eluded them; they split after six months. Imogen moved to another city, James was left alone.
And Evelyn learned to live for herself. She started travelling, felt for the first time in years that life belonged to her.
Was it scary being on her own? Absolutely. But she didnt regret a single step.
