What on Earth Are We Doing Here? Why Are We Breaking Into Someone Else’s House?

“Oh, what are we doing here? Why are we breaking into someone elses house?”

“Its over, Emily. I want a real familychildren. You cant give me that. Ive waited long enough. Ive filed for divorce. Youve got three days to pack. Call me when youre gone. Ill be staying at Mums. Hurry upI need to get the flat ready for the baby and its mother. And yes, dont look so shocked. My fiancée is pregnant. Three days, Emily!”

Emily said nothing. What could she say?

Having children just hadnt worked out for her. Michael had waited five years. Three failed attempts in that time.

Doctor after doctor told her she was healthy. So why did it never happen?

Shed always lived rightate well, exercised, never smoked.

But this time, shed felt unwell at work. Theyd called an ambulance, but it all happened so fast

The door slammed behind Michael, and Emily collapsed onto the sofa.

She had no energy to pack. No will. And where would she even go?

Before marriage, shed lived with her aunt. But her aunt was gone now, and her cousin had sold the flat. Go back to her grandmas cottage in the village? Rent somewhere? What about her job?

So many questions, and she had to figure them out fast

Early the next morning, the door opened. Her mother-in-law walked in.

“Not sleeping? Good. Im here to make sure you dont take anything that isnt yours.”

“Your sons old pants arent exactly on my packing list. Should I count my underwear too?”

“Cheeky! You were always so sweet before. Now look at you. I told Michael after the first timeyoud never give him a child.”

“Did you come just to say that? Better sit quietly and watch, then.”

“Why are you taking the china?!”

“Its mine. My aunt left it to me.”

“Now the place will look empty without it!”

“Not my problem. At least youll have a grandson.”

“Take only whats yours!”

“The laptops mine. The coffee maker, microwavegifts from colleagues. My car was bought before the wedding. Your son has his own.”

“Youve got everythingexcept the ability to have children!”

“Thats none of your business. Maybe it just wasnt meant to be.”

“You dont even seem sorry! Maybe you did this on purpose?”

“Thats ridiculous. It hurts too much to even think about.”

Emily scanned the flat. Her belongings were gone. Toothbrush, makeup, slippers

Something was missing. Her mother-in-laws glares made it hard to focus.

Then she rememberedthe little porcelain cat. Inside it was a secret: a pair of earrings and a ring. Not valuable, but preciousher grandmas. Michael always called it junk. Had he thrown it out?

She opened the balcony door

“What are you doing out there? Pack and go!” her mother-in-law snapped. “Saying goodbye to the flat? Well, say it. Youll never have anything like this again.”

The cat was there, untouched. Now she could leave.

“Here are the keys. Goodbye. Hope I never see you again.”

She stopped by the office. Still on leave, but she asked for holiday time instead.

“Were all so sorry, butcan we manage without you? Three weeks enough? Just stay in touch. Half the projects rely on your input.”

“Fine. I need the distraction. Thanks.”

“Need any help?”

“No.”

“Ill sort your holiday pay and bonus.”

“Thanks. That helps.”

She didnt bother house-hunting. She drove straight to the village.

Of course, no one was waiting. Her grandma had passed three years ago. Her mother? Never knew her. Shed died giving birth.

And now, somehow, Emily couldnt have a child of her own

An hour later, she pulled up to the cottage. The apple tree. The tulips.

Last autumn, she and Michael had been here, grilling, laughing.

She parked in the drive. The garage key was inside.

The door creaked open. Silence. Dirty cups and plates on the table. Had she left it like this last time?

Noshed cleaned. Someone had been here.

Two mugs. Plates. Juice cartons. Bottles of Michaels favourite sparkling wine. Not from last autumn.

So Michael had been here. With who?

Didnt matter now

Only she had a key. He mustve made a copy. Time to change the locks.

New life. Cleaning first, then a hot bath.

She scrubbed away the past.

As she stepped out, a knock at the door. Then the window.

“Whos there?!”

“Everything alright?”

“Uhyes?” A stranger stood outside.

“Sorry. Ive been watching you. Saw smoke from the chimney, then you vanished. Wanted to check you were okay”

“Thanks, Im fine.”

“Youre Michaels relative? He was here recently with his wife Sister?”

“Ex-wife. Almost ex. Its in progress.”

“The cottage yours?”

“Mine.”

“Im your temporary neighbour. Staying in a friends place. Divorce pending. Free tomorrow. If youre alright, Ill go. Need any help, just ask. Im Ian.”

“Emily. Waitcan you change a lock?”

“Sure. Tell me when.”

“As soon as possible. Ill buy one tomorrow.”

“Let me handle it. You might get the wrong one.”

“Fine.”

Two weeks passed. One more week of leave, then back to the city. But Emily didnt want to leave.

Michael hadnt called. Just a text with the divorce date. Better this way.

Saturday morning. Early riser as always, but Ian had invited her to the lake.

Not planning to start anything new, but a walk couldnt hurt.

They returned for lunch. Michaels car was parked outside.

Hed arrived moments before. The door opened. Out stepped Michael, thena pregnant woman.

Emily and Ian reached the gate as Michael jiggled the key.

“Whats this?”

“Oh, what are we doing here? Why are we breaking into someone elses house?”

Michael froze.

“This is our house!” the woman snapped.

“Is it? Did Michael tell you that? This is *my* house. Leave.”

“Michael, whats she saying?! Who is this?! Your ex?! Get rid of her!”

Emily and Ian laughed.

Michael wordlessly bundled her into the car. They sped off.

“Hes in for a fun life.”

“But shell give him a child. I couldnt. Three tries. Sorry.”

“My divorce was because my wife didnt want kids”

Four years later. A chance meeting with her ex-mother-in-law at the supermarket.

“Emily! I barely recognised you. You look… different. Are youpregnant?”

“Yes.” She rested a hand on her bump.

“Michaels not well. The boy was born weak. Something wrong on his side. His wife left him with the baby. Youre doing this alone?”

“Not alone. Ive got a family waiting.”

“Oh? Im sorry for everything.”

“Good luck.”

Her ex-mother-in-law watched as Emily walked awayarm in arm with Ian, their little girl clutching Emilys hand, the spitting image of her mother

So, what do you think of that?