Richard was completely convinced that his wife was going to cheat on him. So, he thought up a plan to catch her out, but he ended up getting the shock of his life.
Love, arent you going to be late? Emily asked, glancing at Richard as he chattered away on the phone. Your flights in less than two hours.
Oh, didnt I tell you? Richard replied, a bit taken aback. The business trips been postponed looks like Ill be heading off in a few days instead.
Oh, alright then, Emily replied, hurrying off into the kitchen. Richard noticed she grabbed her phone, quickly sent a message to someone, and then returned to the living room. Thats when Richards suspicions really began to grow. How come she was always happy to let him go off with his mates or disappear on work trips so easily? She never seemed bothered when he stumbled in after too many pints at the pub. His friends often joked that wives like that are as rare as hens teeth, and that he should count himself lucky. But all the same, something just didnt sit right with Richard.
He was a good eight years older than Emily, and he worried that maybe shed found herself someone younger. Maybe someone who hadnt lost most of his hair and was a bit less set in his ways. At least Richard was wise enough to keep these suspicions to himself it would be a bit much to accuse someone of such a thing without rock-solid proof. He wanted to be absolutely sure. So, Richard thought up what he considered a pretty clever plan he decided to set up secret cameras all around the house.
So he left for his work trip, feeling pretty down in the dumps. Even Emily picked up on it, she nearly offered him some paracetamol because she thought he must have a headache. Her little display of care made Richard doubt his growing fears for a moment.
He didnt really fancy checking the camera footage while he was out besides, he was too busy. It was only of an evening, just before bed, that hed have a peek at the footage on his laptop. But after five minutes, hed slam the laptop shut and shove it out of sight, desperate to avoid finding out the truth.
The trip went by quickly. On his return, after Emily had set off for work, he finally opened up his laptop and started sifting through the recordings. At first, it was all very ordinary. Emily got up, had some toast, and tidied up the flat. But it was later in the afternoon that Richard noticed something odd his wife, usually dressed to the nines, was sprawled on the sofa in his oversized t-shirt and a pair of shorts, eyes glued to the computer screen, her headset on, chattering away with other gamers online. Turns out Emily was absolutely hooked on online games.
Well, Richard thought to himself, its not exactly ideal, but everyones got their quirks.
He sped through the rest of the recordings just the same old, same old: some chores, endless gaming, and most importantly, no sign of any bloke in the house while he was away.
Richard closed his laptop and let out a long breath. Now he only felt guilty for having doubted Emily in the first place. By way of apology, he decided to buy her an enormous bouquet of roses and treat her to a cosy dinner at their favourite restaurant. Even so, he couldnt quite bring himself to take down the cameras just yet. Not that he realisedDays passed. Emily seemed as cheerful as ever, with no clue at all that Richards paranoia had turned their peaceful home into a digital fortress. Each time Richard caught her humming in the kitchen or tossing popcorn into her mouth, headset on, laughing at something only she and her gaming friends understood, he felt a pang of longing for lighter days, simpler trust.
One rainy Saturday, Emily called from the living room, Rich, come here! I need a second player for this mission. She patted the spot beside her, handing him a spare controller and grinning. No excuses, Mister!
He hesitated, but her expectant smile disarmed him. Reluctantly, he squeezed in next to her, the scent of her shampoo chasing away every trace of suspicion. As they plunged into digital chaos together, she whooped and cheered at his every confused button mash, poking fun at his tragic lack of gaming skills.
Three hours later, theyd conquered imaginary kingdoms. Richard collapsed back, laughing until tears threatened. Emily beamed, victorious. See? I told you wed make a great team.
That night, as Emily drifted off on his chest, Richard deleted the camera footage, every trace of his doubt. Maybe love didnt need proof. Maybe, all it took was playing on the same side.
From then on, he became her favourite sidekick both online and off. And whenever trust seemed fragile, all he had to do was remember: sometimes, the only thing hidden is how happy you really are, right where you are.
