Emily had been eagerly waiting for the end of her workday, looking forward to stepping out of the office and being greeted by her loving husband, James. Together, they’d head to their favourite café, the very place where they’d met five years ago that very day.
She flew out of the office and spotted James leaning against his car, smiling.
“Hey, Jamie,” she said, hugging him as he kissed her cheek.
“Hey, love. Ready to hit our café?” he asked—or rather, stated—and she giggled happily, nodding. She’d been expecting a gift from him.
After a nice time at the café but no gift in sight, James finally said, “Alright, let’s head home. Your present’s waiting there.”
“Oh? What is it? Why didn’t you bring it here?” she asked, surprised.
“You’ll see soon enough,” he replied mysteriously.
When they pulled up at their house, James walked over to another car, pressed the key fob, and unlocked it.
“Here you go, love. It’s all yours—enjoy the ride.”
Emily was stunned. A car? She’d never expected that. She threw her arms around him.
“Jamie, thank you! I always say I’ve got the best husband in the world. I love you so much.”
She adored him already, as he’d always shown his love through actions. James worked long hours, sometimes weekends, just to spoil her. They were also saving for a country house. Once they had that, they could start a family. For now, they lived in Emily’s three-bedroom flat, inherited from her family.
“Sweetheart, it’s yours. I know how much you wanted it.”
At home, they celebrated their fifth anniversary and the new car—since James had been driving, they’d skipped wine at the café.
The next day, Emily arrived at work in her shiny red car, beaming. Her colleagues were curious, eager to know what James had given her. Of course, they congratulated her.
“My Jamie got me a car. He just *gets* me,” she said, squeezing her eyes shut for a second. “Girls, if you only knew how amazing he is. We’ve never even had a proper row in five years!”
“What a fabulous gift!” her colleagues chimed.
Some were genuinely happy for her—others seethed with envy. One of them was Nicole, James’s old schoolmate who’d always resented Emily. She’d fancied him since their school days. Watching Emily now, she seethed.
“Why do some people get everything while others get nothing? Just wait. She won’t stay this happy for long,” she thought, smiling sweetly to Emily’s face.
Naïve Emily didn’t realise happiness should be kept quiet. She shared everything, assuming her colleagues felt the same. She never imagined someone would scheme to take her joy away—no matter the cost.
Near the end of the workday, James called. “Got an urgent side job, love. Might be late.” She sighed but shrugged it off. He was working hard for their dream home.
Waving goodbye, she headed to her car.
“Let’s go home, gorgeous,” she murmured, admiring her new ride.
On the way, she stopped at a shopping centre, picking out a wristwatch for James.
“Perfect for Jamie,” she thought, buying it and heading back.
“It’s nice giving gifts too,” she mused, driving home.
Slowing near their house, she turned to park when—*thud*. She jumped out to find a man clutching his leg.
“Oh God, did I hit you? I’m so sorry! Should I call an ambulance? Or drive you to hospital?”
He shook his head. “No need. Just a bruise. Some ice’ll do.”
She offered their flat, and he agreed. Upstairs, she bandaged him, apologising non-stop.
“Don’t fret. I’d take this bump every day just to see you. I’m Liam. And you?”
“Emily.”
His lingering stares made her uneasy. After a while, he stood to leave, but she offered a lift. He refused, then paused, spotting a photo of James and Emily.
“You know him? Wait—of course, you’re in the photo. Let me guess—your brother?” He smirked. “Who else?”
“You know him?” she asked, startled.
“Course. He’s married to my sister. Hard worker—always on side jobs, saving for a house. Barely home, but hey, goals, right?”
Emily felt sick. Pain, anger—how did Liam know James wanted a house?
She barely noticed him leave. His words cut deep. *This can’t be true.* But opening her eyes, reality sank in.
“Does James have another life? Another woman? Is *she* the one he’s building a future with?”
When James got home, Emily pretended to sleep. She couldn’t face him. Not yet.
She stayed silent, even at work. Colleagues noticed but didn’t pry.
“Where is he? At work? Or with *her*? Are his ‘side jobs’ his other family?”
Her torment only grew—until Liam kept “bumping” into her. By the office. Near home.
“Not a coincidence, Emily,” he’d say. “This is fate.”
One day, over coffee, she confessed, “James isn’t my brother—he’s my *husband*.”
“*Husband*? The bastard’s got two families! My sister’s *pregnant* by him! Let me talk to him—man to man. You should divorce him. Kick him out!” Liam insisted.
James noticed Emily’s distance and resolved to talk after work. Meanwhile, she wrestled with doubts.
“Call him? Demand his ‘job’ address? And then what—see his *other wife*?”
She decided to pack his things and leave them in the hall. No explanations. He’d know.
Then—her phone rang. James’s workplace.
“Emily… James was just taken to hospital. A work injury.”
Her vision darkened, but she pulled herself together and ran.
James had a head injury, unconscious. A colleague, Ian, explained, “He’s been grinding non-stop on a rush job.”
“He *was* working all that time?”
“Course! Who else knows better—saving for your country house? He takes *any* side hustle.”
Emily hesitated. “Do you know about… another family?”
“What? He’s devoted to you—won’t stop talking about ‘my Emily.’ Why’d you ask?”
She told him about Liam. Ian urged the police—it sounded like a scam.
There, Emily learned Liam had just left prison—fraud. Worse—Nicole’s *brother*. They’d plotted: Nicole wanted James.
Nicole had fed Liam details—their house plans. Paid him to “fall” for Emily, so she’d dump James.
Soon, Nicole and Liam were in custody, while Emily clutched James’s hand as he woke.
“Jamie, love… I’m so glad you’re back. The doctor says you’ll recover. I’ll help you—I’ll do everything.”
James smiled, seeing his happy wife again.
At home, she gave him the watch. He promised her another gift—then said,
“Em… maybe we shouldn’t wait for the house. Let’s start our family.”
She beamed. “I *really* want a baby.”
“I love you, darling,” he murmured.
Happiness stayed. Soon, their son arrived—and they were over the moon.
