Hearing footsteps, Emily quickly deleted the messagethe one where the sender gushed about missing her and counting down to their next rendezvousbefore placing the phone back on the nightstand, right where it had been moments ago.
She kept rereading the text on her husbands phone, unable to believe it wasnt some cruel dream. Her husband, her rock, her beloved Jameswas cheating on her again.
And not with some young, glamorous model-type, as he had in the past. No, this time, hed taken up with a woman at least fifteen years his senior.
James strolled in, whistling. Today, the entire team had received a hefty bonus, which meant he could finally buy Emily an anniversary giftand still whisk Natalie off to the seaside.
The thought of Natalie made him grin. Hed had his share of flingsyoung girls, divorcees, even married womenbut none like Natalie. She was his colleague. A bit curvy, yes, but the way she dressed, the way she carried herself, the way she spoke and oh, how she was when they were alone. A shame age was catching up, but while she was still in her prime, he intended to savour every drop.
Spotting the frown on Emilys face, James snapped back to reality.
“Everything alright? You seem off.”
“Fine,” Emily replied flatly. “Just thinking about the anniversary party. Could you give me some money to organise it?”
“Of course, love.”
She didnt understand herself. In the past, shed have thrown a full-blown row at the first sign of an affair, threatening divorce. But now? She acted as if nothing had happened, as if she hadnt just read that message.
James grabbed his phone from the nightstand, made a show of calling a colleague about work, then slipped onto the balcony to fire off a few steamy texts to his new mistress. Emily forced calmness. She knew tears and tantrums changed nothing.
This wasnt his first betrayal. Before, hed blamed her post-baby weight, her faded looks. But now? She was in perfect shapetoned body, long silky hair, subtle makeup, a chic home dress that made her look like a leading lady in a British drama.
Her friends didnt get it. She came from money, had a degree, and with three kids, shed hardly be destitute. Yet she endured his affairs, only occasionally erupting in rows, threatening divorce. Each time, his parents swooped in to defend him, scolding her for ingratitude.
“Look at our neighbour, Grace,” her mother-in-law would say. “Widowed, working two jobs, sewing at night for extra cash. Or Veraher husbands a drunk, she wears rags, so do the kids.”
“But”
“No buts! You live like royaltya full pantry, designer wardrobes, no need to work. So what if he strays? Men are like catswarmth and affection keep them home. Scold him, and hell bolt. My Gregory had his fun, but did I nag? No. Now hes a doting husband, the envy of everyone. Stop with the nonsense and be the wife who holds his attention.”
Emily smirked. Shed recently seen her father-in-law sneaking out of Graces house. Some doting husband.
“Pollys right,” her father-in-law would chime in. “If hes looking elsewhere, youre lacking something. If my wife carried on like you, Id put her in her place. Dont like it? Shed be out on her ear!”
Her mother-in-law would simper, but it made Emilys skin crawl. Her own parents had adored each other, raised her to believe in honestyif love fades, say so. No double lives.
No one deserved deceit. So why was it normal when men strayed? Why was it always the womans fault?
Shed shed oceans of tears, wasted fortunes on psychics promising to fix himall useless. Friends urged her to leave. But where would she go with three kids? To her parents? Her brother lived there. Rent a flat? With what money?
She didnt work, and raising three children alone? Brutal. And truthfully, she still loved him. Theyd been together since primary school, confessed their love at thirteenhed been her first and only.
Maybe her in-laws were right. Maybe hed tire of it. Maybe she was to blamehed never cheated before, had been so tender.
But then shed remember that text, and fury boiled inside her. Before, hed blamed her weight. Now? What was her crime? And seriouslywhat did this older woman, with her questionable hair colour, have that she didnt?
Their anniversary loomedten years togetherand he was back to his old tricks.
Grabbing her phone, Emily sank into an armchair and scrolled party planners sites, hunting for someone who could deliver a spectacle within budget. She jotted a number, called, and arranged a meeting.
The next day, Leon, co-owner of the event company, arrived, apologising for his absent partner. He flipped open a catalogue.
“Weve got gift options, themesor suggest your own. Whats your husband into? Fishing? Cars? Sports?”
“Women. And affairs.”
“Pardon?”
“My husband adores women. Cant go a day without cheating.”
The dam broke. Emily sobbed so violently, café patrons stared.
“Why do you put up with it? Youre enabling him. If you dont respect yourself, why should he?”
“You dont understand”
“I do. My little sister was the same. Her husband cheated, she stayed silent, then shes gone now. Im raising her kids. You have children?”
“Yes.”
“Live for them. Youll find a home, a job. Lifes too short.”
“Youre right.”
Dabbing her eyes, Emily gave a shaky smile. “Thank you. I know exactly what surprise to give him.”
The next week, Emily oversaw preparations at a picturesque countryside villa. Invitations flew to friends, family, even Jamess colleaguesa grand affair. The menu, décor, even the giftall set. Leons steady presence reassured her. Shed learned not all men were like Jamesand found support shed never had, even from her parents.
Now, standing in a sleek black lace dress, Emily admired herself in the mirror. Hair, makeup, accessoriesflawless. Leon squeezed her shoulder.
“Ready? Last chance?”
“No turning back.”
“Good. Ill signal the team to move your things while everyones distracted.”
“Perfect. Its almost showtime.”
The party was in full swing. Jamess parents held court, oblivious to Emilys absence. James, basking in congratulations, kept stealing heated glances at Nataliehis frequent trips to the guest loo with her hadnt gone unnoticed. Oh yes, Natalie had been invited tooalong with all his colleagues. Part of the plan.
“Time for gifts! Darling, in our ten years, Ive learned one thingnever argue with a man like you. Just accept him as he is. Im grateful you showed me what marriage should be, what the perfect wife and mother should be. No grand speeches. Justthank you. And I think youll love this.”
A towering cake was wheeled inout sprang three women: a blonde, a brunette, a redhead. Emily watched Jamess stunned face, then whispered to Natalie:
“Think youre the only one? Look how his eyes light up for them. Now look at yourself.”
As Natalie flushed, Emily turned to her mother-in-law.
“Seems Gregorys still visiting Grace, by the way.”
While her in-laws spluttered, Emily faced James.
“Like your gift? Youve always loved womenthree? Five? Ten? Blondes, brunettes, redheads now Natalie. Your parents were rightno more jealousy scenes. Want this life? Enjoy it. Just not with me. Happy anniversary!”
Her final words rang out. Guests gaped. But Emily was already ushering the kids outwhere Leon waited.
The divorce was tedious. James blamed her, refused to sign. But eventually, it was done.
Friends marveledhow had timid Emily pulled it off? Simple. James had funded her escape himself, with weekly top-ups and the anniversary money.
Now, years later, shed never regretted leaving. Remarried, blissfully happyLeon adored her, cherished her kids as his own.
Starting over isnt failure. Infidelity is settlingfor less than you deserve. Why stay where one thrives, and the other withers?
