The air in the kitchen was thick with the scent of frying onions as Emily stood at the counter, chopping meat for the stew. The sizzle of fat in the pan filled the silence until the phone rang. Her husband, William, picked up. His voice was calm, guarded.
*”Hello?”*
A pause followed. Long. Heavy. As though someone was speaking without pause, and he was just listening. Emily wiped her hands on her apron and stepped out of the kitchen. The hallway was empty. The phone cord trailed toward the childrens room. Her chest tightened. Without knowing why, she moved softly, like a thief on tiptoe.
From behind the cracked door, his whisper reached her. A tone he never used with her.
*”Sophie, please, calm down I understand, truly. But you have to understand me too. I have a familyI cant just come now. I love you too. So much. But Emily could walk in any second. Ill tell her everything, just not yet Tomorrow. Please, dont call me here right now. And yes I love you.”*
The words struck like lightning. Her hand, poised to push the door open, froze mid-air. Her heart hammered so violently it stole her breath. *I love you.* He had said it to another woman. Not to her.
Emily didnt storm in. Her mothers voice echoed in her head: *Never act in anger.* She straightened, forced herself to breathe, and returned to the kitchen. She picked up the knife again, but her fingers trembled. Chunks of meat fell unevenly onto the board. Their cat, Whiskers, rubbed against her legs. She tossed him a scrapan automatic kindness, hollow now.
*I love you too.*
The words looped in her mind like a curse. She clung to another phrase: *I have a family.* So, did that still matter? Was she still important?
But thenwhat was she? Just the mother of his children? The housekeeper? A habit? The pain in her chest was suffocating. Everything had been fine. He was attentive, caring. No signs of distance. Never a reason to doubt.
Twenty minutes later, William walked back into the kitchen, inhaling the rising aroma of dinner with a smile.
*”Smells amazing. How much longer?”*
*”Half an hour. I diced the meat smallitll cook faster Who called?”*
*”What?”* He blinked, feigning confusion. *”Oh, work. They need me in tomorrowdelivery of timber.”*
*”They ask you a lot on weekends. I dont like it.”*
*”Everyones on holiday, its summer”*
*”Mhm.”*
*”You seem quiet, Em.”*
*”Just tired. Thought wed spend tomorrow together, go to the countryside.”*
*”Youre working. Well go in the evening.”*
*”William”*
*”Yeah?”*
*”Do you love me?”*
*”Of course I do. Love you, Em. Love our boys. You know thatfamilys everything to me.”*
He stretched, wrapped his arms around her, kissed her neck. But for the first time, his touch made her skin crawl.
Later, she lay on the sofa, watching their sons play. Whiskers leapt onto her stomach, claws pricking through fabricthanks for the treat. She squeezed his paws, pressed her face into his fur.
That woman. She had to disappear.
Emily couldnt share her husband. Couldnt lie beside him knowing hed been with another. But losing him? Unbearable.
The decision came easily: deal with the mistress. Personally. Without his interference.
The next day, after William took the boys to nursery and prepared to leave for “work,” Emily called in sick. She borrowed a neighbours coat and scarf*”painting walls at the factory.”* Thenstraight to the city park. Minutes later, William emerged. She followed, weaving through side streets.
He stopped at the market, bought wine and fruit, then turned toward the private housing district. Emily understood: she lived there. He disappeared behind a gate.
She sat on a bench. Waited. Then he reappearednot alone. A tall blonde beside him. They walked toward the woods, the same path theyd once strolled together. Emily went home. Her mind burned. Her soul drowned.
Days later, she got a proper look at Sophiepretty, despite the betrayal. Mid-thirties. Then, luck: Sophie met a friend. The woman, unknowing, spilled everything.
*”Sophie? Single, sick child, husband left her. Now shes got an admirer. Married. Says hell leave his wife for her,”* the friend whispered.
And in Emilys heart, vengeance ignited.
