**Diary Entry**
Last Thursday evening, James walked through the door humming, an uncharacteristic spring in his step.
“Brilliant news!” he announced. “The companys throwing a do tomorrow nightemployees only.”
He kissed my forehead and dropped his briefcase by the sofa.
“Bit of a bore, really. Just work chatter and spreadsheets. No need for you to bother coming.”
I raised an eyebrow. James had never been one for partieshis idea of fun was watching cricket highlights. Still, I shrugged.
“Fine by me,” I said, already thinking of the next days errands.
The next morning, he was oddly affectionate. Too affectionate.
As I scrambled eggs, he slipped his arms around my waist and murmured, “Youre amazing, you know that?”
I laughed. “Whats this about? Trying to earn brownie points?”
“Maybe,” he grinned, handing me his favourite white shirtthe one with the stubbornly loose button.
“Could you iron this? Oh, and while Im out, fancy making my favourite shepherds pie? Extra mash. You know how I like it.”
“Anything else, your lordship?” I teased.
“Actually yes,” he smirked. “The loo could use a scrub. You know how I like things spotless. Never know when we might have guests”
I rolled my eyes but chuckled. James had his quirks, and though his requests reeked of diva behaviour, I didnt think much of it. If only Id known.
That afternoon, I threw myself into chores. The vacuum roared, the washing machine churned, and the house filled with the scent of shepherds pie. My cleaning playlist hummed in the background, and for a moment, life felt normal.
Then the phone rang.
Unknown number.
I nearly ignored it, but something made me answer.
“Hello?”
At first, just loud music and muffled laughter. I frowned, assuming a prank.
Then I heard James voice.
“My wife?” he said, laughing. “Probably elbow-deep in laundry or scrubbing the toilet. Shes so predictable. Meanwhile, here I am with you, love.”
A woman giggled in the background.
My stomach lurched.
I stood frozen, the phone glued to my ear as my world tilted.
The call dropped.
Seconds later, a text arrivedjust an address. No explanation.
I stared at the screen, heart hammering. Maybe a mistake. A joke. But deep down, I knew better.
I didnt cry. Not yet.
Instead, I grabbed my coat, snatched the keys, and drove straight to the address.
The shepherds pie could wait.
James was in for the shock of his life.
The GPS led me to a swanky short-term rental across towna sprawling place with gleaming windows and manicured hedges. Fancy cars lined the drive. Through the glass doors, I saw laughing, champagne-sipping guests.
My stomach twisted at familiar faces.
Whod be more stunnedJames or me? I was about to find out.
As I approached, a security guard stepped forward.
“Can I help you, maam?”
I forced a smile. “Just delivering something to my husband.”
His eyes flicked to the cleaning bucket in my handinside, a toilet brush and bleach.
“Tall bloke, white shirt,” I said evenly.
He hesitated but waved me through.
The moment I entered, every head turned.
And there was James.
Arm slung around a woman in a tight red dress, laughing like he hadnt a care in the worldmore alive than Id seen him in years.
My chest tightened.
Every fibre of me wanted to lunge, but a voice whispered, *Be smarter. Make it count.*
James saw me.
His face drained. He choked on his drink, stumbling back.
“Emily?” he croaked, peeling away from the woman. “Whatwhat are you doing here?”
“Forgot something, darling,” I said loudly, lifting the bucket. “Since youre so fond of discussing my cleaning skills, thought you might need these to tidy up the mess youve made of our marriage.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
The woman in red stepped back, uneasy.
But I wasnt done.
“Funny,” I told the room, “James plays the doting husband at home. Yet here he is, playing house with whoever strokes his ego.”
“Em, please,” he begged. “Lets talk outside”
“Privacy *now*?” I laughed. “Where was that concern when you were mocking me behind my back?”
I turned to the guests.
“Enjoy the party. And rememberonce a cheat, always a cheat.”
With that, I tipped the bucket at his feet and walked out, heels clicking on the marble.
In the car, my phone buzzed.
Same unknown number.
A text: *You deserved the truth. Sorry it had to happen this way.*
Hands shaking, I called back.
A woman answered.
“Hello?”
“Who is this?”
“Claire,” she said after a pause. “I work with James.”
“Whyd you do this?”
“Because someone had to,” she sighed. “Watched him lie for months. Made me sick. You didnt deserve it.”
I swallowed hard.
“Had a mate ring you so youd hear it yourself. You needed to know.”
I closed my eyes.
No anger. Just relief.
Next morning, James found his bags on the doorstep.
The locks had been changed.
Dont knowdont carewhere he slept.
My only text to him: *Enjoy.*
And for the first time in years, I smiled.
Not from spite.
But because my life was finally my own again.
**Lesson learnt:** Trust your gut. And never let anyone mistake your kindness for weakness.
