The envelope contained a key with a card bearing a single line: "I'm entrusting this flat door key to you."
The surprise arrived unexpectedly, catching me completely off guard. Yet as a woman, I would have preferred hearing these words directly from him, spoken softly, rather than experiencing this sudden heart-racing moment lacking calm and security.
At the breakfast table, Max prepared French toast and coffee as usual. While I felt a spark of joy, following entirely in his predetermined arrangement made me feel like I had no agency of my own.
After a while, a text message from Max arrived: "A cleaning lady named Susie Wan will come to the flat at 1 PM. Stay home and wait for her."
The text came at just the right time, knowing I'd already be awake, I muttered.
"Got it. Where are yo
