When Calla finds a lace dressing gown hidden in her husband’s wardrobe, she thinks it’s a romantic surprise. But her world comes crashing down when she sees the dressing gown on her stepmother Larissa. Suspicions mount, tensions rise, and one day Calla accidentally overhears Larissa’s real devious plan…
When my dad died last year, the house seemed to lose its soul. He had built this two-storey house himself – spacious, always smelling of pine and fresh paint.
After he died, my husband Alexei, our six-year-old daughter Emma and I moved there to help my stepmother Larisa.
She and Dad had been married for five years, but Larissa reminded everyone that she was his ‘support’ in his last days.
You’re not going to deny it, honey,’ she said to me after her speech at the funeral. – Seriously, Calla, if I had flown to Thailand then, your father would have died alone. All alone. Poor thing.
Living with her was like walking a tightrope. Everything about Larisa was sharp – her heels, her words, even the glances she threw in Alexei’s direction, thinking I didn’t notice.
But family is family, and I tried to keep the peace.
Until I found the dressing gown.
It started innocently enough. I was just folding Alexei’s things – done it a thousand times. I opened the wardrobe to hang up a shirt and suddenly noticed something out of place.
A glossy gift bag was half-hidden behind the jackets.
Curiosity won out. I pulled it out, my heart racing faster. Inside was a lacy, sheer dressing gown.
My first thought was that Alexei had bought it for me. It wasn’t long before Christmas, and even though he wasn’t a romantic, maybe he wanted to surprise me.
I smiled: wow, out of my comfort zone.
Too bad I was wrong.
A couple of days later, Larissa called me over to her place. Her voice was sugary-sweet – it always made my stomach clench. After my father died, she’d redecorated their room into something… velvet and burgundy, luxurious yet strangely sensual. I didn’t even know how to describe it.
Oh, Calla, honey,’ she murmured. – You won’t believe what my new man gave me!
A new man? She’d never talked about that before.
When I walked in, my legs gave out.
She was standing in front of the mirror in her dressing gown. MY dressing gown. The one I found in Alexei’s wardrobe. She spun around, and the lace wrapped around her smoothly like a taunt.
Do you like it? – she hummed, grinning. – He has excellent taste, doesn’t he? And with the heels, it’ll be magical.
I couldn’t breathe. A picture was forming in my head at breakneck speed that I didn’t want to see.
Alexei? No way. And Larissa?
No. No way. Or? Can it?
Where… where did you get this? – I whispered.
Larissa’s smile only got wider.
I told you – my man gave it to me. You don’t listen to me at all, Kalla! But it’s okay, maybe someone will give it to you someday… He’s very… inconspicuous, by the way.
My knees buckled. Theoretically, there could have been logic. But it was too wrong. I left her room, and her laughter rang in my ears for a long time.
That same night, I decided to talk to Alexei. We tucked Emma in – she was fast asleep, looking forward to the school day tomorrow: they were going to come dressed as their favourite characters. She chose Princess Belle.
My hands were trembling.
Alexei,’ I began, my voice trembling. – I need to ask a question. Just please be honest.
He pulled away from the TV, giving me a puzzled look:
What’s wrong, sweetheart? Now, hold on, I’ll pause it.
Did you… did you give Larissa the dressing gown? That lacy one I found in your wardrobe?
Alexei went pale.
What? You’re out of your mind! What makes you think that?
She showed it to me before dinner. The very same one. I saw it myself in your wardrobe!
He opened his mouth, his eyes widened:
Do you really think I would give her something like that? Really?
Then how did she have it?
I don’t know! – he ran his hand through his hair. – I don’t know what to say…
I don’t understand,’ I whispered.
He looked genuinely upset.
I swear I didn’t give her anything! The only thing I gave her today was a piece of garlic bread at dinner!
For the next few days, I couldn’t shake the anxiety. Larissa’s smiles, Alexei’s confident silence – everything seemed to be part of a puzzle I didn’t know.
Until one day I heard Larissa talking on the phone.
Yes, Kira, of course I set it up,’ she whispered. – The fool hadn’t even noticed. They’ll be tearing each other apart in no time. They’ll be gone and the house will finally be mine. I’m sure that’s why they moved here. They’re trying to take it away.
I got chills down my spine. She set the whole thing up. The dressing gown was a trap. She wanted me to think Alexei was cheating on her. Anything to get us out of my father’s house.
That same night, I told Alexei. He squeezed the beer can until it crunched, spilling the remnants on the floor.
She wants to ruin our marriage,’ he said through gritted teeth. – Is that why we moved here? No, that’s enough.
We made a plan.
At breakfast this morning, I told him casually that Alexei and I were thinking of moving out. Larissa glowed, though she tried to hide it behind a mask of sympathy.
Well, if you think that would be better…..
In the evening we invited a lawyer friend to dinner. Larisa didn’t know him, and we told him he was a realtor helping us look for a new place to live. At the table, Larisa kept saying how much she liked living alone.
I’m not young anymore,’ she said. – I need space. And you need space. And maybe Emma could use a little brother, too.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay in this house, but Alexei insisted.
Think about it,’ he said. – It’s part of your father’s legacy. You are his memory, yes. But he built this house himself. Do you really want Larissa to have it?
I don’t know. Honestly, I’m not sure myself.
A week later we had a ‘family meeting’. Larissa walked in, confident, like a winner.
Alexei handed her a folder of papers.
What the hell is this? – she flipped through the pages.
‘These are the deeds to the house,’ he replied calmly. – We’ve studied them. It turns out that the main heirs are Kalla and me. You don’t own this house, Larissa. It’s ours.
Larissa’s face turned white.
That’s impossible. Kalla! What have you done? Your father would never leave me with nothing …
He didn’t,’ I replied. – He left you a lot of money. But the house is part of me. Of course he’d want me to keep it.
She wanted to object, but Alexei interrupted:
And before you come up with another intrigue – know that we are not going anywhere. But you should think about moving.
Or maybe your ‘boyfriend’ will take you in? – I added calmly.
Larissa choked, her tongue seemed to have failed.
What boyfriend? – I asked. – He doesn’t exist, does he?
I made the whole thing up! I made the whole thing up! There is no boyfriend, Calla! There’s no cheating! I wanted you to think there was!
I know,’ I said. – I overheard the whole thing. But you know, I’m giving you a week. Just because that’s what my dad would do.
I’m gonna make it up to you! I’ll do everything-cooking, cleaning, helping with Emma! Just don’t kick me out!
I don’t want my baby around you,’ I said simply. – I’m sorry, but it’s my decision.
A week later, Larissa left.
And I finally found peace in the house my daddy loved so much. I turned her room into a library for myself and the other half into a playroom for Emma.
And the dressing gown?
She ‘forgot’ it. I donated it to a charity with the rest of her things. Let someone else have it. I’m definitely not keeping it for myself.
