Alice had been counting the hours until the end of her workday, longing to step out of the office and into the arms of her beloved husband, Edward. They planned to visit their favourite café, the very place where they’d first met five years ago to the day.
She rushed out the door and spotted Edward waiting by his car, grinning.
“Hello, Eddie,” she murmured, pressing into him as he kissed her cheek.
“Alright then, off to our little spot, eh?” he said, though it sounded more like a statement than a question. Alice laughed and nodded, wondering what gift he might have for her.
After a pleasant meal, Edward still hadn’t produced a present. “Right then, let’s head home. Your gift’s waiting there,” he said with a sly smile.
“Oh? What is it? Why didn’t you bring it?” she asked, puzzled.
“You’ll see soon enough,” he replied mysteriously.
When they pulled up to their house, Edward strode to a parked car nearby, pressed a button on his key fob, and the doors unlocked.
“There you are, my love. A gift for you—drive it with joy.”
Alice gasped. A car? She hadn’t expected this. She flung her arms around his neck.
“Eddie, thank you! I always say I’ve got the best husband in the world. I adore you.”
She truly worshipped him. He proved his love in every way—working long hours, even weekends, to afford little luxuries for her. They’d been saving for a countryside home, dreaming of the day they’d start a family. For now, they lived in Alice’s three-bedroom flat, left to her by her grandparents.
“Now it’s yours, darling. I know how much you wanted it.”
That evening, they celebrated their anniversary and the new car—since Edward, the designated driver, hadn’t touched a drop at the café.
The next morning, Alice arrived at work in her shiny red car, glowing with pride. Her colleagues swarmed her, eager to hear what Edward had given her.
“My Eddie bought me a car!” she beamed, closing her eyes briefly. “Oh, girls, you’ve no idea how wonderful he is. Five years, and we’ve never had a proper row.”
“Congratulations! What a grand gift,” her coworkers chimed.
Some were genuinely pleased for her. Others? Not so much. Among them was Nicole, Edward’s old schoolmate, who’d always envied Alice—secretly in love with him since their schooldays. Watching Alice bask in happiness, Nicole seethed.
*Why does she get everything while I’ve nothing? Just you wait—she won’t stay this smug for long.*
But Alice, ever trusting, didn’t see the danger in sharing her joy. She believed her colleagues felt the same warmth toward her. She never imagined envy could drive someone to cruelty—to snatch happiness, even if it meant crushing another.
Near day’s end, Edward called. He’d taken on an extra job and would be late. Alice sighed but understood—he was saving for their dream home.
Bidding her coworkers goodbye, she walked to her car.
“Right then, my beauty, let’s get you home,” she murmured, stroking the steering wheel.
On the way, she stopped at a shopping centre, picking out a wristwatch for Edward.
“This’ll be perfect for him,” she thought.
Gift in hand, she drove home, heart light.
*Giving is just as lovely as receiving.*
As she slowed to park, a dull thud shook the car. She leapt out to find a man clutching his leg on the road.
“My goodness! Did I hit you? I’m so sorry—let me call an ambulance. Or I’ll drive you to hospital!”
The man shook his head.
“No need. Just a bruise, I reckon. Maybe something cold?”
Alice invited him inside. He agreed, and she bandaged his leg, apologising nonstop.
“Don’t fret. I’d take this every day just to see you. Name’s Liam. And you?”
“Alice…”
His lingering gaze made her uneasy. After a while, he stood to leave. She offered him a lift, but he refused. Then he paused, spotting a photo of Edward and Alice on the shelf.
“You know him?” He grinned. “Wait—course you do, you’re in the picture. Let me guess—your brother?”
“You… you know him?” Alice faltered.
“’Course. He’s married to my sister. Works himself to the bone, odd jobs, business trips—saving for a country house. Hardly home, but that’s his aim, my sister says.”
Alice’s world tilted. The words struck like a knife. She barely registered Liam’s swift departure, too lost in the sting of betrayal.
*Two families? Our dreams—his with another woman?*
When Edward returned that night, Alice pretended to sleep. She couldn’t face him, couldn’t bear the truth.
Days passed in silence. Even her coworkers noticed her distance. But where could she turn? Only Liam kept appearing—outside her office, near her home, always smirking.
“This isn’t chance, Alice. It’s fate.”
Over coffee, she confessed her suspicions.
“Edward’s my husband, not my brother.”
Liam feigned outrage.
“The cad! Two families? My sister’s carrying his child! I’ll have words with him. You ought to divorce him, throw him out!”
Alice’s heart splintered further.
Edward, sensing her distress, resolved to talk after his next job. Meanwhile, Alice planned to pack his things—no explanations needed.
But then her phone rang.
“Alice? It’s Edward’s work. He’s been taken to hospital—a head injury. He’s unconscious.”
Her vision darkened. Rushing to the hospital, she learned from his colleague, Ian, that Edward had been working nonstop on an urgent project.
“He never stopped, did he?” she whispered.
“’Course not. His dream’s that country house—he’d take any extra work for it.”
Tentatively, she asked, “Do you know… about another family?”
Ian frowned.
“What? He’s utterly devoted to you. Always going on about ‘My Alice, my darling.’ Why d’you ask?”
Alice confessed Liam’s claims. Ian urged her to report it—it reeked of fraud.
At the police station, she learned the truth: Liam, fresh out of prison for extortion, was Nicole’s brother. The siblings had plotted to destroy Alice’s marriage, so Nicole could have Edward.
Nicole, consumed by hatred, had paid Liam to play the doting stranger, feeding him details about Edward’s dreams.
When Edward woke, Alice clasped his hand.
“Eddie, my love, I’m so glad you’re back. The doctor says you’ll be right as rain soon.”
He smiled weakly, relieved to see her joy return.
At home, Alice gave him the watch. He promised her another gift—then suggested,
“Alice, love, maybe we needn’t wait for the house. Let’s start our family now.”
She beamed.
“I’d love that. More than anything.”
He kissed her.
“I love you, my dear wife. Don’t think I’ve said it today.”
Happiness flourished. Soon, their son arrived, and they floated on cloud nine.
