I cant understand where this jealousy of yours comes from. I just cant. Every single day since we started dating, its nothing but accusations. Theres always suspicion in your eyes.
“Oliver, whats this?” the girl demanded sharply, clutching a shirt in her hands. “This pink stainwhose lipstick is it? Hmm? So this is why you were late from work?”
“Emily, what are you even saying?” Oliver sighed, exhausted as he sorted through his work bag. “I was on shift. What lipstick? The only woman in my department is Nurse Margaret. Honestly Im tired.”
Emily pressed her lips together, crumpled the shirt, and stormed off to the bathroom. Oliver exhaled heavily.
Theyd been together for over six months now. To anyone looking in, their lives seemed perfectexcept for one thing. Emily was unbearably jealous. She found reasons to doubt him even where none existed.
“Just look at this,” Emily groaned, shoving the shirt at her sister. “Hes definitely cheating. Look at it.”
She crossed her arms, frustration tightening her features. SophieEmilys sistertook the shirt, sniffed the stain, then burst out laughing.
“Whats so funny?” Emily snapped.
“Its jam. Strawberry jam.”
Emily snatched the shirt back and inhaled sharply. Confusion flickered across her face, mingling with embarrassment.
“You need to calm down. I cant understand why youre so paranoid.”
Emily sank onto the sofa opposite Sophie.
“We didnt just *start* dating. I took him from someone else,” she admitted, avoiding her sisters gaze. “He cheated on his ex with me. And at first, I thought hed never leave *me* but then I realizedoh, he would. And fast. And”
“Thats no excuse to accuse him now. You have to learn to trust him.”
“I *do* trust him,” Emily protested. “I just cant stop worrying. Worrying Ill lose him.”
Sophie shook her head, at a loss for words.
—
“Where *were* you?” Emily crossed her arms when Oliver finally walked in. “Its one in the bloody morning.”
Oliver rubbed his temples.
“You *told* me to go out with the lads. We watched the match, had a few pints. Whats the problem?”
“James got home ages agoI called Charlotte. Where were you the last two hours?”
“James left earlypromised his wife hed be back. Me and Thomas stayed. Emily, justdrop it. I need sleep.”
He brushed past her and collapsed onto the bed. He wanted to forget, to escape her endless suspicion. To feel light again. Like he used to. But Emily had ruined it. Like always.
—
Emily stepped out of the supermarket, scrolling through her phone, oblivious to everything around her. Thenby chanceshe glanced across the street.
And froze.
There was Oliver, a blonde woman draped over him. She was laughing, whispering something in his ear, and hewithout a shred of shamepulled her closer.
A red mist descended over Emilys vision. She dropped her grocery bag and charged across the road. Grabbing the womans wrist, she yanked her away.
“I *knew* it!” Emily screamed. “I *knew* you were cheating! You liar. Youve been lying to me this whole time. No” She shook her head violently. “No. I was *right*! Youyou *bastard*!”
Olivers expression darkened, his hands clenching at his sides. His eyes darted apologetically to the blonde woman, who stood frozen, bewildered.
“Emily”
“Dont you *dare* speak to me! I know what youll say. I dont want to hear your pathetic excuses.”
“Thats my *cousin*,” Oliver cut in, voice sharp. “Aunt Margarets daughter. Youve met her. Victoria and I grew up together. And youd better go home. Well talk there.”
Emily stiffened. Then, with a final muttered “sorry” to the stunned woman, she turned and left.
—
Oliver came home late, fury simmering under his skin. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his gaze avoiding hers entirely.
“Oliver”
“Ive had enough,” he said quietly. “I *cant* understand where this jealousy comes from. Every day, its the same thing. You suspect me of *everything*my patients, the nurses, the bloody *lampposts*. Its too much. And Im exhausted.”
“Oliver!” Emilys voice cracked. “Are youare you breaking up with me? Please I *love* you! Justforgive me, please. I dont know what comes over me, but Ill fix it, I swear. *Please*”
She dropped to her knees, clutching his hands, searching his eyes. Olivers chest ached. He *did* love her. Hed left a five-year relationship for her. Never thought hed do something like thatbut Emily had taken hold of him. And now? Now doubt gnawed at him from the inside.
“I love you,” he whispered, squeezing her hand. “But thiswhat youre doingit isnt normal. I cant live like this.”
“I wont do it again,” she sobbed. “*Never*. Just stay with me. You dont understandI cant lose you.”
Oliver exhaled, pulling her into his arms. He couldnt. He couldnt leave her. Not even after this.
—
For months, things were perfect. Emily didnt accuse himor at least she hid it welland Oliver relaxed, no longer fleeing to work early or staying late.
Then autumn came. Flu season. The hospital overflowed. Oliver was exhausted, coming home late, eating in silence, collapsing into bed.
And Emilys suspicions crept back.
At first, she fought them. Told herself his shirt smelled of perfume because most of his colleagues were women. Nothing to worry about. But the doubts grew. She checked his clothes. Watched him.
One evening, Oliver headed straight for the shower. He was quickdesperate for sleep. When he stepped out, he found Emily hunched over his phone.
“Emily what are you doing?”
She startled, tossing the phone aside.
“Nothing! Just needed to make a call.”
Oliver nodded pointedly at her own phonepink case, lying on the bed.
“Yours out of battery?”
“…Yeah.”
His screen lit up with a notification.
“Really? Completely dead? So youre lying too.” He arched a brow. “Anything else I should know?”
“Im sorry,” she whispered.
“Find anything, Miss Marple?” His voice was sharp. Too sharp.
Emily shook her head.
Silently, Oliver walked to the wardrobe and started packing. Emily lunged for him, grabbing his arm.
“*Please*no! Dont. I wont do it again. I *trust* you Oliver!”
“No, Emily. I forgave you once. Not stepping on the same rake twice. Im *done*. I just want to *live*. In peace. To trust and be trusted. *This* isnt life.”
Thirty minutes later, he was gone, his things stuffed into a bag as Emily sobbed on the bed, arms wrapped around her knees.
“I love you,” he said softly. “But I cant do this anymore. And you? You wont change.”
He walked out of their rented flat and headed to his parents house.
He was just so *tired*.
—
Distrust always destroys relationships, no matter how strong. And in the end, people judge by their own hearts. Maybe Emily feared Oliver would betray her like hed betrayed his ex.
But *she* was the one who chose him.
And without trust, theres no love. No friendship. No bond at all.
And *that* was her greatest mistake.
