Sorry, Steve, but I Ive fallen for your wife, Mark blurted, his eyes wandering toward the window as if the words were trying to escape him against his will.
Steve froze, his face flickering through a whole spectrum of emotions. He felt his breath catch.
I swear there was never anything between us, Mark rushed on, Emily doesnt even have a clue.
Steve stayed silent. Time seemed to stand still.
What made you think I needed to know that? Steve asked, his tone flat and cold.
Were mates, right? Mark replied, still avoiding Steves gaze. I thought youd tell me what to do His voice quivered with nervous energy.
You want advice from me? Steve sneered bitterly. Youve got your hands on my wife and you expect me to bless it? Brilliant.
No, youve got it wrong! If I wanted her, Id have taken her. No doubt about that. You know me. But I cant. Youre like a brother to me.
A brother? Steve rose from the sofa. Remember when you nicked Daisy from Victor? You swore eternal friendship then, too.
Right, that was back in school! Emilys a whole different story.
Exactly. Shes my wife and shes pregnant, if you havent noticed. So get out of our lives.
Seriously? Youd sell out our friendship for a woman? Steves voice was laced with bewilderment and hurt.
For family, you know the difference. And besides, whos to blame me for betrayal?
Wasnt it you who kicked this off? Steve shot back, his tone dripping with a friendly venom. Take Emily to the cinema, Im busy, Help her with the kitchen, Drive her to her parents. You handed me your wife on a silver platter! I liked being useful! Do you get it?
Come on out, Steve opened the front door, his unsettling calm filling the hallway. And dont come back. Forget us.
Fine. You know, mate, I was hoping for a different chat. Now my conscience is clear.
The guest slipped out, and as soon as the door slammed, he dialed Emily.
We need to meet. Its important, he said.
Whats happened? Emily sounded worried. Come over, Steves still at work. Well wait together.
I cant. He he told me Im not allowed in your house
How? Why?
I dont know. I thought youd explain.
Im lost, Emily stammered. Alright, lets meet in the park then
They met, and Emily listened without interrupting while Mark recounted how Steve had suddenly exploded, accusing him of vague crimes and inventing a nonexistent affair with Emily. He wasnt lying, just omitting key facts.
Your husband thinks Im tearing your family apart, Mark concluded, staring into her confused eyes.
Thats nonsense, Emily whispered.
Steves just jealous, Mark said generously. You never noticed?
He could see the puzzle forming in her mind: sudden questions from her husband, his discontent with friends, constant suspicion. Perfect soil for doubt.
What should I do? she asked, voice trembling.
Talk to him. Tell him hes wrong. That were just friends.
He wont believe you.
Then dont say a word, Mark brushed her hand softly. Stay at my place tonight. Let him feel what its like to be alone.
Emily stared, fear and anger warring in her gaze, a new, dangerous feeling bubbling up.
Alright, she finally said. But Im counting on you to be decent.
The first step was taken.
The whole evening Mark played the understanding friend. They sipped tea, swapped funny anecdotes, and he caught Emilys bewildered yet interested glance.
When she fell asleep on the sofa, he didnt bother waking her.
The next morning the phone rang. It was Steve, voice hoarse from lack of sleep.
Emily there?
Yes, Mark answered without blinking. All good. Shes just decided not to come back.
A heavy silence followed. Mark imagined Steves face and felt a grim satisfaction.
Tell her Steve paused, choosing his words. The doors closed. Forever.
He hung up.
Emily woke to the muffled conversation.
Whats happened? she asked.
Steve he doesnt want to see you anymore. He says you made your choice.
She burst into tears. Mark held her, whispering hollow comforts, feeling nothing. He wondered why she mourned a lost happiness hed easily shattered.
A week later Emily packed her bags.
Im going to my mums, she said, not even looking at him. I need to be alone, think.
Sure, he replied, nodding. Go on.
She left, muttering as she closed the door, I dont trust any of you any more
***
Mark was left alone in a flat that echoed with emptiness. The silence pressed, turning thoughts inside out.
His meticulously plotted scheme cracked. He had counted on Emily being torn between them, on tormenting Steve, on reveling in his humiliation. But she left, and the plan fell apart.
He flopped onto the couch, staring at the ceiling, childhood memories flooding back.
Steve, the perpetual lucky charm, always scoring the winning goal, breezing through exams, attracting every girls attention. Everything seemed effortless for him.
Envy had simmered for years, a quiet, corrosive brew that finally boiled over into hatred.
Life scattered them, and a chance encounter reignited old, unspoken spite. Steve was now a thriving entrepreneur, with a beautiful wife and a baby on the way. His serene smile, his confident air all of it stirred Marks dormant malice.
He could no longer tolerate it. He wanted to knock the smugness off Steves shoulders, to snatch a sliver of his happiness, even if only for a moment. He never imagined it would be so simple.
***
The phone shrieked, breaking the quiet. An unknown number. A voice announced an accident Emily had been in a car crash on her way to her mothers.
Mark sat frozen, numb. This wasnt a clever revenge plot any longer; it was disaster.
Steve, learning of the crash, spent sleepless nights at the hospital.
When Emily regained consciousness, she sobbed and told Steve everything how shed been coaxed into believing his jealousy was baseless, how shed been persuaded to stay just to teach him a lesson. Steve held her hand, his own worry eclipsing everything else. He was relieved she was alive, fearing he might have lost her forever.
A few days later Steve returned home, changed into fresh clothes. In the hallway stood Mark, pale and jittery.
Hows she? Steve asked, voice hoarse.
Steve, eyes dimmed by the loss of the unborn child, answered simply, Its over.
Mark went even whiter. He seemed to think Emily was gone for good.
I didnt mean this! he blurted, a torrent of words. I was just jealous! All my life! You had everything, I had nothing! I saw you so happy and couldnt stand it! I wanted to teach you a lesson, to wreck your family. I never thought shed leave, never thought it would end like this! I didnt want her dead!
Steve listened in silence, then said, I never expected anything good from you, but youve surprised me. You confessed. Does that feel better?
Sorry, Mark croaked. I never thought itd go this far
Think before you act, Steve replied dryly. They say it helps. Anyway, goodbye.
He walked away down the stairwell.
Mark stood there, bewildered, unsure which way to go. At last, he turned and shuffled off, disappearing into the night.
