Entering the flat, Emily paused. There by the doorway, neatly placed next to hers and Davids shoes, stood a pair of heels she recognised immediatelythey belonged to Davids sister, elegantly expensive and impossibly high. Why was she here? David hadnt mentioned expecting his sister, not today.
Emily, is yours away on another business trip? called out her colleague, Paul, catching up with her as she made her way towards the bus stop. Fancy grabbing a drink at the café, have your favourite hot chocolate, talk a bitfor once, rather than rushing hello and goodbye.
Sorry, Paul, I cant today. David promised hed be home earlywe were going to choose a new kitchen, still not quite settled in after the renovations. Besides, he hasnt been travelling for work in ages.
And always dependable at home, is he? Paul asked, a trace of irony slipping into his voice.
Not always, Emily smiled, shaking her head. Were strapped for cash at the moment, so hes putting in extra hours at work. Once the flats fully furnished, things will settle down. Well get there.
Paul smiled warmly. Alright, well, have a lovely evening, and headed off in the opposite direction.
Emily was lucky this timethe bus came quickly; more often than not, she waited ages, but leaving work a bit earlier had paid off. Settling by the window, she drifted into thought.
Years ago, she and Paul were planning to marry, but the breakup had been awkward, so much so that even its cause escaped her memory now. David appeared in her life soon after; shed married him almost out of spite, to make Paul see she wasnt alone, let him worry about what hed missed.
Paul had tried to make amendsapologised, promised shed be happy, never hurt, always loyalbut by then, Emily was enthralled by David and told herself shed never truly loved Paul anyway.
Eventually, shed stopped thinking about it altogether, until recently, when Paul was transferred from head office to their branch.
He acted pleasantly surprised by the coincidence, though Emily suspected he’d requested the transfer after discovering she worked there. Still, something comforted her about his continued affectionhe was still single, still treated her with the same gentle warmth.
Deep down, she hoped hed find happiness, andjust a littleenvied the woman whod capture his heart. He was a romantic, after all; utterly charming.
Her own luck with David wasnt bad, it was just that work devoured him lately. He worked hard to provide, to ensure she wanted for nothing, but it left no space for her.
They also lived in Davids sisters flat. Lucy had generously offered them her place while her own children grew.
Lucy and her husband never struggled financially; she hadnt worked a single day. Renting out the flat seemed pointless to herproperty was an investment, the children would have somewhere to live when older.
David and Emily had decorated to their taste; Lucy had allowed it, and now they were picking furniture. Still, Emily sometimes wondered if it would be better to rent, perhaps somewhere already furnished.
After all, the money poured into this place couldve covered several years rent or been the start of a mortgage. Yet, Davids face had lit up when Lucy offered them the home.
Emily hurried from the bus, crossed the street, heading for the flat. The air breathed that unmistakable scent promising rain, but she couldnt appreciate the freshness today.
Thoughts tumbled in her mind, none lasting long, all giving way to the next. Had it really been a year, maybe more, since she and David moved in? She couldnt recall exactly, but the feeling the flat was still temporary unsettled her. They redecorated, tried to settle, always waiting for something betteras if real life would begin only later, but when?
As she approached the building, she realised she was walking slowly, almost delaying the moment of arrival. The entry door clicked familiarly, letting her into the dim corridor, where she began climbing the stairs to the fourth floor.
The landings floated by one after another, each one drawing out the strange tension building inside her.
Entering the flat, Emily stopped again. By the door, neatly arranged beside hers and Davids shoes, stood the heels.
She recognised them at oncethey were Lucys, expensive and high. Why was she here? David hadnt mentioned his sister visiting.
Emily almost called out to announce her return, but somethingher intuitionheld her back. Instead, she stood still, listening.
We wanted a break, Lucys voice floated from the living room. But my husbands leave wont happen, so I thought you might as well use these travel vouchers. On one condition, her voice turned firmer, you go not with your wife, but with Harriet.
Emily froze. With Harriet? Hadnt David mentioned that name ages ago, telling Emily how Lucy always tried to pair him with her friend?
Back then, Emily thought nothing of it. Now, hearing the name, unease twisted in her gut.
Davids voice came, impatient: Lucy, I dont want Harriet. Ive told youIm married to Emily now! I have Emily! Why do you keep this up?
Emily exhaled in relief. So, just Lucy meddling again. She was almost ready to step into the lounge to announce herself, but Lucy spoke again.
Oh, dont pretend. I know how much you loved Harriet. You were ready to marry her once; you only broke up over something trivial. Stop being stubbornI see it, you and Emily arent suited. Harriet is different.
Emily froze, trying to process it. Loved her? Was going to marry her? Yet David had said Harriet meant nothing. She stared at the floor, struggling to compose herself, but Lucys words gnawed at her.
So what? David replied, but his voice wavered with uncertainty. Thats the past. I wont deny it, but its over. I love my wife.
Oh, please, David, Lucy pressed on. We both know you married Emily just to make Harriet jealous after she left for someone else. Later, she wanted to come backapologised, begged for a second chance. But you got married to Emily, just for revenge.
Emilys heart tightened. Revenge? Did David really marry her just to make a point? She felt suddenly heavy, recalling how shed rushed into marriage after breaking up with Paul.
But if David had once shared her motives, did it matter now? They truly loved each other, didnt they? Emily held her breath, waiting to hear Davids next words.
Thats all over, David said. I’m married now, and I have responsibilities to my wife.
Oh, what responsibilities? Lucy snorted. No children yet, thank goodness. I hope you havent forgotten where youre living, eitheryoull spend your life drifting from one borrowed corner to another with Emily. Harriet, mind, was just given a three-bedroom flat by her parentsa new, spacious place. And she still loves you, waiting for you to come to your senses.
Emily leaned against the cold wall, struggling not to lose grip on her emotions. How could Lucy say this? But even more, what would David reply? She waited, hardly breathing.
Lucy, stop, David began, slower now, no longer so certain. A home isnt everything. Weve got somewhere to live for now, and someday well buy our own.
But Lucy wouldnt let up: Youre just afraid of change. Harriet was always better for you; youre still hurt, but its not too late. With Harriet, youd have a home, stabilityall you deserve. Dont you see? With Emily, youll never be truly happy.
And anyway, she added, I cant offer you this flat forever. I have my own plans, so youll have to move out soon.
Does Harriet know what youre scheming? David shot back.
Of course she knows! Lucy replied quick as lightning. She asked me herself. She knows you still love her, and the whole voucher thing was her ideashe wanted me to help.
A silence fell. Emilys insides spun. Why was David silent? Was he actually considering Lucys offer?
What should I tell Emily? he finally asked, quietly.
Tell her youre helping me at the cottagewere planning renovations, Lucy answered, as if it were perfectly natural. But you and Harriet will be off to the seaside. Simple.
Emily couldnt stand to hear any more. She slipped out of the flat, not looking back, fleeing as far as she could.
Her feet carried her to a small, cosy café, nearly empty. Soft music drifted through the dim interior, as twilight deepened outside. She sank into a seat by the window and ordered hot chocolate with vanilla almost without realising. Her thoughts, tangled and jumbled, refused to settlethe snatches of conversation from home would not leave her in peace.
Over and over, she replayed Lucys words, wondering how it was possiblehow could David keep the truth from her for so long? How could he hide hed once wanted to marry someone else, and a close friend of his sister no less? Fading trust pained her, but the deeper wound was resentment. Was her marriage just a retaliation for someone elses loss? Shed believed David chose her with his heart; it seemed thered been other reasons. Yet, unlike David, Emily refused even a casual coffee with Paul, let alone a seaside trip! Shed loved her husband sincerely, with all of herself.
Outside, darkness thickened, but Emily remained hunched in the café, watching the city lights blur through rain on the glass. The hot chocolate sat untouched. Time itself seemed suspended.
David hadnt called, hadnt asked where shed gone. Hes already planning the trip with Harriet, she thought bitterly, and doesnt care where I am at all.
Reaching for her phone to check the hour, she discovered it was flat dead.
Emily sighed, realising she couldnt delay foreverit was time to go home. Pulling her coat tight, she stepped out into the cold, feeling the sharp evening breeze cut through her. Every step towards home felt heavier than the last. Emily braced herself, knowing things would never be the same. Breaking up was inevitable; she tried to mentally prepare herself for the moment.
When she reached the building, her heart sank further. Emily climbed the stairs slowly, turned the key, and entered the flat. Silence greeted herno TV, no clatter from the kitchen. But in the middle of the lounge stood several bags. David was packing.
Well, thats it, she thought, he really is leaving.
What are you doing? she asked, already expecting hed say he was going to help Lucy at her cottage. But David surprised her:
Emily, were moving out. Ive found a placetemporary for now, but well get a mortgage soon. He paused, searching her face. Why did you take so long today? I tried ringing all eveningyour phone was off. Were you working late again?
Emily could barely believe her ears. Everything shed planned to say vanished. She nodded, bewildered by what was happening.
Were moving? she asked softly, not quite grasping.
David, sensing her confusion, came over to explain.
I had a row with Lucy, he sighed. And Ive decidedenough. I dont want her meddling anymore. We need our own place.
Emily felt her body begin to relax, but knew it wasnt finished. David hesitated, sighed deeply, and sat on the edge of the sofa, beckoning her to sit. As she did, he recounted the conversation with Lucy.
I shouldve told you sooner, he admitted, voice lowered. Its true, I had something with Harriet. And yes, at first I married you to get back at her. But, Emily, you have to know: its all history. Youre the only one I love, and I dont want to lose you.
As she listened, relief slowly flooded her heart. The sting of deception and silence remained, but now, honest words felt more importantthey could finally talk openly.
Im sorry I never told you everything, David murmured. When you said youd nearly married Paul, I thought my story would sound out of place, and later, I just didnt want to bring it up.
Emily breathed deeply, tears close to her eyesbut now, tears of relief.
Alright, she whispered, whats done is done. You said youd found us a flat?
Yes, David nodded. Its temporary, but soon well have a place of our own. No Lucy, no interference. Well manage, I promise. After that, well take out a mortgage and do things properly.
Emily nodded. This felt right. At last, theyd be living for themselves, not tangled in someone elses plans or unsolicited advice.
Well then, David smiled, shall we get packing?
Emily nodded again, unable to find words. All that mattered now was believing this really would be the new beginning shed hoped forleaving the past behind, living forward at last.
