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Temporary Guest
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When I asked building management to reset the smart lock on the condo we had bought for our marriage, the technician hesitated before asking: "Ms. Foster, are you sure you want every user deleted? Sophie Clarke has administrator access, while you're listed as a temporary guest." I smiled. "Delete them. Don't leave anyone." The night before, stomach pain had left me crouching outside the elevator, my hands shaking as I entered the code, but the lock kept flashing ACCESS DENIED. I called Marcus Reed, and he lowered his voice on the other end. "Stop messing with the lock. Sophie just fell asleep. Her nerves are fragile, and the alarm will scare her awake." Sweat covered my forehead from the pain. "This is my home." He was silent for two seconds before answering with reproach in his voice. "She's only staying for a few days. Besides, don't you have the code? Don't embarrass her over something this small." Only later did I learn what "temporary" really meant. Her fingerprint had been placed first on the access list. Meanwhile, I was the name on the deed, yet I had been locked outside without even being able to reach my stomach medicine. I stared at the entry in the smart lock's activity log. [Marcus Reed removed Natalie Foster's emergency access at 11:48 p.m.] I didn't call him again. I simply paid off the home improvement loan early and contacted a realtor to put the condo back on the market. I no longer wanted the home that in my name. And I no longer wanted him.
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Temporary Guest Chapter 9
The condo quickly entered the formal closing process.The buyers' financing was approved without delay, and Rachel asked me to return and sign the final transfer documents.Marcus came to the title office too.By the time he arrived, I was already seated at the closing table.The escrow officer verified the documents."Owner of record: Natalie Foster. No outstanding liens. The closing package is complete."Marcus stopped when he heard the words "no outstanding liens.""You paid off the loan too?"I didn't look at him."Yes.""When?""The day you took Sophie to therapy."Marcus's face went pale.That day, he'd been helping Sophie choose a hotel.He'd said she might have a breakdown if she stayed alone.Meanwhile, I'd gone alone from the bank to building management and then to the realtor.I'd dismantled our three years together into a stack of documents.He walked to my side."Natalie, can we stop this? Once the condo is sold, we'll really be..."I signed my name."I
Temporary Guest Chapter 8
Marcus came to Brookhaven anyway.When I left the project campus that day, he'd already been waiting outside for two hours.Clients and coworkers walked beside me.I wore a gray suit, carried a folder, and moved with steady confidence.When I saw him, I paused for only a second.Then I told my coworkers, "Go ahead to the car."Marcus hurried toward me and held out an insulated bag."Your stomach is sensitive. I brought oatmeal and medicine."I didn't take it."Thank you, but no."When I spoke those words, I saw his hand stiffen.Whenever my stomach hurt in the past, I would message him.[Marcus, I don't feel well.]His replies came more and more slowly. Eventually, I stopped sending them.He probably thought I'd recovered. I hadn't. I'd simply stopped expecting anything from him.He said quietly, "Natalie, I've made Sophie leave. I'll learn how to take care of you again."I looked at him."Marcus, you still think the problem is that Sophie moved into the condo."He ru
Temporary Guest Chapter 7
The next day, Marcus went to Natalie's company.After checking the system, the receptionist said politely, "Ms. Foster accepted an out-of-town assignment. She's already gone to Brookhaven."Marcus froze."When did that happen?""The transfer was approved last week."Last week.Then he remembered.At dinner that day, Natalie had told him about a renewable-energy campus project that could earn her a promotion to director.He'd been searching for therapists for Sophie and had only replied, "Do whatever you think is best."She'd been silent for a long time.That had been the last time she tried to include him in her future.And he'd let it fall.Marcus went next to the wedding-planning studio.The planner looked uncomfortable when she saw him."Mr. Reed, Ms. Foster canceled every service."She showed him their message history.It was filled with detailed notes Natalie had made.Marcus's father couldn't drink alcohol.Marcus's mother disliked cilantro.As he stared at the
Temporary Guest Chapter 6
When Marcus returned to the condo, only cardboard boxes and hollow light remained in the living room.He stood in the entryway and realized for the first time that the place no longer felt like a home.None of Natalie's shoes remained in the cabinet.Her usual coffee mug was gone from the kitchen.Her cleanser, hair ties, and towels had all vanished from the bathroom.Only Sophie's belongings remained, glaring evidence of everything that had happened.Marcus opened the primary bedroom door.The sheets had been changed, and the vanity was empty.The card that said, "There will always be a light on for you here," was gone from the drawer. Later, he found it lying on top of Sophie's box.He stared at the words as his face slowly lost color.When he'd written them, he'd thought nothing of it.Sophie was afraid of the dark, so he'd offered some casual reassurance.But he'd forgotten that Natalie had been terrified of thunderstorms since childhood.During their first year togeth
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