Thanks, Jimmy! I dont know what Id do without you, flashed across the phone screen.
Her husbands phone buzzed right in her hand. Emily glanced automatically at the message. The sender was someone named Lucy. It ended with a pink heart, like a tiny kiss.
Emily froze. Lucy? Jimmy? She might have assumed it was a distant relative or a colleagueexcept for one detail: her husband had never mentioned anyone by that name. Or had he been hiding it?
She looked up sharply. She needed the truth first, not wild guesses. But her chest tightened with jealousy.
Whos Lucy? Emily asked, fighting to keep her voice steady.
James, sipping his tea calmly, blinked in confusion.
What?
Lucy, she repeated, showing him the phone. Who is she?
He glanced at the screen, and a flicker of tension crossed his face before he shrugged.
Oh Thats just Laura.
Emily went cold.
Which Laura?
Well my ex. Theres nothing between us now.
She set the phone down and crossed her arms.
Your ex calls you Jimmy and thanks you with hearts? You really think thats normal?
James shrugged again, as if it wasnt worth discussing.
Yeah. I lent her some money. She needed help, so I helped.
Emilys anger flared.
You gave money to your ex?!
Yeah, whats the big deal?
The big deal?! She scoffed. Seriously? You think its fine to take from our savings and hand it to some Lucy?
He finally met her gaze.
Emily, youre making a mountain out of a molehill. Weve known each other forever. Why wouldnt I help her?
She laughed, but there was no joy in it.
Youre married, James. To me! And yet youre still wrapped up in her, someone from your past.
He sighed, irritated, as if explaining something obvious to a child.
We didnt end badly. Shes not a stranger.
And am I the stranger?
James fell silent. Emily shook her head and exhaled sharply.
How long has this been going on?
What?
Your little friendship.
He looked away.
Weve always talked. Even before you. I just never mentioned it. Didnt want to upset you.
Emilys whole body burned with fury.
So for two years, you hid it?
I didnt hide it! There was no reason to bring it up. Im not cheating. Why are you overreacting?
Emily took a deep breath, forcing herself not to shout.
And how often do you help her?
Now and then. Small things. Fixing her laptop, setting up her Wi-Fi.
So my husband runs errands for another woman like a handyman?
Oh, come off it! he snapped. I helped her, lent her money! Is that a crime? Id do the same for you!
Emily looked at him with cold determination.
If you dont see anything wrong with this, then we have very different ideas of what a marriage should be.
She turned and walked out. She couldnt bear to look at him.
The day passed in a blur for Emilyanger, hurt, confusion. She tried to stay calm, but one question echoed in her mind: *How did I not see this sooner?*
James acted innocent. Now he didnt even hide speaking to Laurabut pretended it was nothing.
Over the next two weeks, the truth became clear. Her husband stayed late at work often. Every few days, Laura had a new emergency.
Im going to Lauras tonight, he announced over dinner, indifferent. Her washing machine broke.
Emily set her fork down and stared.
Are there no repairmen in town?
Honestly, is it so hard to help someone?
For you, no. For me, yes.
Here we go again! Is this all there is to talk about?
Yes, *again*, she said coldly. Because your ex always needs saving. At least you dont share kids.
James sighed but kept eating.
If it were our neighbor or my mum, would you still react like this?
The difference is, they wouldnt call you every other day.
Emily, he said, exhausted. Youre acting like Ive cheated.
I dont know if you have. But this isnt normal. And it bothers me, she shot back.
He smirked.
You dont trust me.
Have you given me reason to?
Silence fell between them.
Three days later, Laura reappeared.
Laura called, James said casually. Shes buying a fridge but cant get it delivered.
Emily turned slowly toward him.
So youll drop everything to deliver it?
Whats the harm?
James, do you really not see the problem?
Youre blowing this out of proportion.
No, *you* are. And Im done being part of it. If helping Laura matters so much, move in with her. Save on petrol.
Are you serious?
Absolutely.
Youre kicking me out?
No, James. Im giving you a choice. Be part of *this* family, or go your own way. I wont have you here otherwise.
She walked away. She wouldnt fall for his excuses anymore. Maybe he thought honesty meant admitting where he went. But to Emily, it wasnt honestyit was betrayal.
Twenty-four hours passed after their last fight. Emily sat in the kitchen, staring at her phone. James hadnt called or texted. He was gone. Maybe to
Ten days of silence later, Emily realised something: sometimes letting go isnt a loss, but a lesson in learning your worth.
