Lahat ng Kabanata ng Temporary Guest: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 9

After I went inside, I opened the shoe cabinet. My house slippers were gone.The pair on Sophie's feet was the new one I'd bought for myself.She followed my gaze, looked down, and hurried to take them off.Marcus stopped her. "Don't bother. The floor is cold."Then he looked at me. "They're only slippers. Is this really necessary?"Only slippers. Only an access setting.Eventually, I would become "only Natalie," too.I took the medicine from him but didn't use it.Our engagement photograph had once sat on the nightstand in the primary bedroom. Now it had been replaced by Sophie's calming diffuser and sleep spray.Marcus said she would stay for only three days, but three pairs of her shoes, arranged by season, were already in the cabinet.I opened my messages with my realtor, Rachel Royce, and sent one.[I want to relist the condo. As soon as possible.]The reply came quickly. [Ms. Foster, are you certain? Didn't you plan to live there after the wedding?]I listened to Mar

The next morning, Marcus took Sophie to a therapy appointment.He sent me a message.[She's unstable right now. I'll be home later.]I didn't reply. I deleted it.The building technician arrived promptly at ten.As he reviewed the smart lock's dashboard, his frown deepened."Ms. Foster, Sophie Clarke has administrator privileges. Mr. Reed is also an administrator, but you're listed as a temporary guest.""I know."He opened the activity log."There's an entry from 11:48 last night."I looked at the screen.[Administrator Marcus Reed removed user Natalie Foster's emergency access.]My fingers went still.Eleven forty-eight was shortly before I returned from the hospital.I hadn't entered the wrong code, and the system hadn't malfunctioned.Marcus had personally deleted me from my own home.The technician looked uncomfortable. "Ms. Foster, do you still want me to proceed?""Proceed.""Clear every user?""Every one."The device chimed as the records disappeared one by

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

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