AMBER AND EVELYN:
THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO STAY AWAY
SCENE 1 — DEV’S HOUSE, LATE AFTERNOON
The moment Amber stepped into Dev’s house, she saw the one person she never wanted to see there again. Evelyn. She was sitting comfortably in the living room, laughing with Dev’s sister as though she still belonged in Dev’s world. Amber froze at the entrance. Her smile disappeared, replaced by disbelief and anger.
Evelyn turned toward the doorway. For a brief second, the two women stared at each other in silence. Then Evelyn slowly smiled. That smile made Amber’s blood boil.
AMBER
What are you doing here?
EVELYN
Excuse me?
AMBER
You heard me. I asked you what you’re doing in Dev’s house.
DEV’S SISTER
Amber, please. There’s no reason to start arguing. Evelyn came to spend some time with me.
AMBER
I’m not talking to you right now. I’m talking to someone who apparently refuses to understand the meaning of boundaries.
EVELYN
If you have a problem with my presence, perhaps you should discuss it with Dev instead of attacking me.
AMBER
That’s exactly what you always do. You create a problem, pretend you’re innocent, and then act as though everyone else is being unreasonable.
EVELYN
I came here to see my friend. I didn’t know I needed your permission.
AMBER
Your friend? Since when has Dev’s sister become your excuse to keep coming back into his life?
The room fell silent. Dev’s sister looked uncomfortable, while Evelyn’s smile gradually faded. Amber stepped closer.
AMBER
You already know that Dev and I are serious about each other. We’ve started discussing marriage. We’re preparing to take the next step in our relationship, and yet you keep finding ways to interfere.
AMBER
You had already left our lives, Evelyn. So why are you back?
EVELYN
Maybe because not everything revolves around you, Amber.
AMBER
Then prove it. Stop showing up wherever Dev is.
Amber’s voice trembled with anger, but beneath that anger was something else: fear. Fear that Evelyn knew something she didn’t—and fear that Dev had not told her everything.
SCENE 2 — THE LIVING ROOM, CONTINUOUS
DEV’S SISTER
Both of you, please calm down. This is my home too, and I don’t want to spend the afternoon watching you fight.
AMBER
I’m sorry, but I can’t keep acting as though this is normal.
She looked directly at Evelyn.
AMBER
Every time Dev and I make progress, you suddenly appear. When we’re trying to spend time together, you find a reason to call him. When we’re making plans for our future, you somehow end up talking to his family.
EVELYN
You’re making everything sound suspicious because you’re insecure.
AMBER
Insecure? I’m not insecure about my relationship with Dev. I’m tired of watching you test how much interference he will tolerate before he finally tells you to stop.
EVELYN
Perhaps you should ask yourself why you’re so worried about me if your relationship is as strong as you claim.
That remark struck a nerve. Amber’s eyes narrowed.
AMBER
Because I respect my relationship. And I expect other people to respect it too.
EVELYN
You know what? I don’t have to stand here and defend myself against your accusations.
AMBER
Then don’t. Just leave.
DEV’S SISTER
Amber, that’s enough. Evelyn is my guest.
AMBER
And I’m Dev’s partner. I’m the woman he’s planning to marry. Don’t you think I deserve to feel comfortable in the family I’m supposed to become part of?
Dev’s sister fell silent. For the first time, Amber realized that she might not be the only person keeping secrets. Why was Dev’s sister so determined to defend Evelyn? And why did Evelyn look so comfortable in a house where Amber believed her presence should have been unwelcome?
EVELYN
You keep talking about marriage as though saying the word makes everything certain.
AMBER
What exactly is that supposed to mean?
EVELYN
Nothing. You’ll understand eventually.
Evelyn turned toward Dev’s sister.
EVELYN
I’ll call you later.
As Evelyn walked toward the door, Amber stepped aside but never took her eyes off her. Just before leaving, Evelyn stopped beside Amber.
EVELYN
Enjoy this moment while you can.
AMBER
Is that a threat?
Evelyn said nothing. She simply walked out. Amber watched the door close, feeling a chill run down her spine.
SCENE 3 — OUTSIDE DEV’S HOUSE, MOMENTS LATER
Evelyn walked down the front steps with her handbag hanging from one shoulder. Her polite smile was gone. In its place was a cold, calculating look. She pulled out her phone and opened a conversation with Dev. Her fingers hovered over the screen.
She typed: “Amber thinks she knows everything. We need to talk before she makes another mistake.” She stared at the words before deleting them. Sending a message like that would only make Amber more suspicious.
Instead, she opened her contacts and called someone else. The person answered after several rings.
UNKNOWN PERSON
Did you see him?
EVELYN
No. Amber arrived before I had the chance.
UNKNOWN PERSON
And did she recognize you?
EVELYN
Of course she recognized me. She practically wanted to throw me out of the house herself.
UNKNOWN PERSON
This isn’t a game, Evelyn.
Her expression hardened.
EVELYN
I’m well aware of that.
UNKNOWN PERSON
Then stop provoking Amber. If she starts asking the right questions, everything could fall apart.
Evelyn stopped walking. For the first time, uncertainty flickered across her face.
EVELYN
She doesn’t know anything.
UNKNOWN PERSON
Are you sure?
EVELYN
I’m sure.
UNKNOWN PERSON
You’d better hope so.
The call ended. Evelyn slowly lowered her phone. For several seconds, she stood motionless. Then she whispered to herself.
EVELYN
Amber can have Dev if that’s what she wants.
Her eyes hardened.
EVELYN
But she will never get the truth that easily.
She slipped her phone into her handbag and walked away.
SCENE 4 — DEV’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM
AMBER
Can you please tell me what’s going on?
DEV’S SISTER
What do you mean?
AMBER
You know exactly what I mean. Why are you allowing Evelyn to come here when you know how complicated things have become between her and Dev?
DEV’S SISTER
Evelyn and I have known each other for a long time. Whatever happened between her and Dev doesn’t mean I have to stop speaking to her.
AMBER
I’m not asking you to stop speaking to her. I’m asking you to understand why her constant presence is a problem.
DEV’S SISTER
Maybe you’re seeing a problem where there isn’t one.
AMBER
Then why does she keep bringing Dev into every conversation?
DEV’S SISTER
You’ll have to ask her that.
AMBER
I did. She refused to give me a straight answer.
Dev’s sister finally sat down.
DEV’S SISTER
Amber, there’s something you need to understand about Evelyn. She doesn’t like being told that a chapter of her life is over.
AMBER
Then she needs to accept it.
DEV’S SISTER
People don’t always move on as quickly as we want them to.
AMBER
Is that all this is? She can’t accept that Dev has moved on?
Dev’s sister looked away. The hesitation lasted only a second, but Amber noticed it.
AMBER
Why aren’t you looking at me?
DEV’S SISTER
Because I don’t want another argument.
AMBER
No. You’re avoiding the question. Do you know something about Evelyn and Dev that I don’t?