When I fulfilled my dream and bought a house for my husband and me, he declared on the very first day: «My mom, sister, and kids will live with us…

«Roof?» now irritation was clear in her voice. «What roof? My roof is fine.

If this is some joke, Olivia, it’s not funny.» «It’s no joke,» I replied confused. «Ethan really said he was going to you. Took two suitcases, left early morning.» «I don’t know where he went, but definitely not to me,» my mother-in-law cut off.

«And anyway, it’s strange that a wife doesn’t know where her husband is.» She hung up, leaving me in complete confusion. If Ethan didn’t go to his mother, then where? And why did he lie to me? I spent a sleepless night, tossing and turning and checking my phone every half hour.

Ethan never called, his phone remained unavailable. In the morning, I didn’t go to work, called my boss and said I felt unwell. My mind raced with various thoughts—from an accident on the road to… something I didn’t even want to think about.

Could he have someone else? Could he have decided to leave me? Around noon, the phone rang. I grabbed it so hard I almost dropped it. Ethan? No, it was Sophia—my sister’s voice sounded concerned.

«What’s wrong? You didn’t reply to my messages, didn’t come to work.» I burst into tears, unable to hold back any longer. Through sobs, I told her about Ethan’s strange behavior, the suitcases, the call to his mother.

«Calm down,» Sophia said firmly. «I’m coming over now, and we’ll figure it all out.» Half an hour later, she was at my place with a bag of groceries and a bottle of brandy.

She made me wash up, brewed strong tea, poured a bit of brandy into the cup. «Drink,» she commanded. «And tell me everything in order, from the beginning.»

I told her how Ethan’s behavior had changed in recent weeks, about the overheard phone conversations, the suitcases, and the strange lie about going to his mother. Sophia listened without interrupting, only occasionally asking clarifying questions. When I finished, she shook her head thoughtfully.

«You know, in my practice, I’ve encountered similar stories more than once. Usually, it means one of two things: either he has another woman, or he’s up to something he doesn’t want to tell you. Something you wouldn’t approve of, in his opinion.»

«What other woman?» I felt a lump rising in my throat again. «We’ve been together eight years, everything’s fine.» «Was fine,» Sophia corrected.

«In that case, it’s the second option,» she poured me more tea. «He’s planned something and doesn’t want you to know. Something important, since he’s willing to lie and disappear for several days.»

«But what?» «I don’t know,» she shrugged. «But I have a bad feeling. Remember, you mentioned his phone conversations with his mother? About some plan you shouldn’t suspect?» I nodded.

«Maybe it’s related to the house,» Sophia continued. «Perhaps he wants… I don’t know.

To sell it? Or mortgage it? Or use it somehow differently than you planned?» «But the house is in your name,» I objected. «He can’t do anything with it without your consent.» «He can if he doesn’t know about it,» Sophia looked at me attentively. «You didn’t tell him the house is in my name.»

I shook my head. «I was afraid he wouldn’t understand. Thought I’d tell him later, when we move in and settle.»

«In that case, he thinks the house belongs to you,» Sophia reasoned. «And as your husband, he has certain rights to it. Not full, of course, but enough to, for example, pledge his share, or sell it, or…» She fell silent, but I already understood where she was going.

«You think he wants to take the house?» «I don’t know,» my sister answered honestly. «But something’s off here. His lies, his strange behavior, those suitcases.

He’s clearly preparing for something serious.» We sat until evening, going over various versions and trying to understand what was happening. Sophia suggested hiring a private investigator to find out where Ethan was now, but I refused—it seemed too radical a step.

I still hoped there was some simple and harmless explanation for his behavior. In the evening, as Sophia was about to leave, my phone rang. The screen showed Ethan’s name.

«It’s him,» I whispered, my heart pounding. «What do I do?» «Answer as usual,» Sophia advised. «Don’t give away that you suspect anything.

Just ask where he is and when he’s coming back.» I took a deep breath and answered the call. «Hello?» «Hi,» Ethan’s voice sounded cheerful, too cheerful.

«Sorry I didn’t call earlier, connection issues here. Everything okay?» «Everything’s fine,» I said, trying to sound normal. «How’s Mom? How’s the roof?» Pause.

«Fine,» he finally answered. «Had to tinker with the roof, but I fixed it. Mom says hi.»

So he was continuing to lie. I glanced at Sophia, who was sitting nearby and listening intently to the conversation. «When are you coming back?» «That’s what I wanted to talk about,» notes of ingratiation appeared in Ethan’s voice.

«You see, some circumstances came up. Basically, I’ll be delayed a few days. A week at most.»

«What circumstances?» I tried to speak calmly, but inside I was boiling with anger and hurt. «Long story,» he evaded. «I’ll tell you when I get back.

How are you? All good?» «Yes, everything’s great,» I decided to play along. «You know, I have news too. I got the keys to the house.

Everything’s finalized, the house is officially ours. Right?» «Really?!» something like relief sounded in his voice. «That’s wonderful.

So when I get back, we can start moving?» «Exactly,» I confirmed. «When exactly do you plan to return?» «Next Friday,» he answered quickly, as if he had thought of this date in advance. «You okay? Don’t need anything?» «Everything’s perfect,» I assured him. «Waiting for you on Friday.» After a short goodbye, I hung up and looked at Sophia…