Hearing footsteps, Emily swiftly deleted the messagesome lovesick admirer pining for another rendezvousand placed her phone back on the bedside table, right where it had been.
She kept rereading the text on her husbands phone, unable to believe it wasnt a nightmare but cold, hard truth. Her husband, her rock, her beloved *James*, was cheating on her again.
And not even with some young, gorgeous model-type, like before. This time, his mistress was a woman at least fifteen years older.
James strolled in, whistling. A hefty bonus had landed in his account todayenough for an anniversary gift for his wife *and* a seaside getaway with *Natalie*.
The thought of Natalie made him grin. Hed had flings beforenaive young things, divorcees, even a few married womenbut none like Natalie. She was a colleague.
Plump but impeccably dressed, effortlessly charming in public and *wild* in private. A shame about the age, but while she was still in her prime, he intended to squeeze every last drop of juice from that fruit.
Spotting his wifes sour expression, James snapped back to reality.
“Everything alright? You seem off.”
“Fine. Just thinking about the anniversary party. Could you spare some cash to help organise it?”
“Of course, love.”
Emily didnt know why shed said that. In the past, shed launched into furious rows, threatening divorce at the slightest hint of infidelity. But now? She acted as if nothing had happened. As if she hadnt just read *that* message.
James picked up his phone, made a show of calling a colleague about work, then slipped onto the balcony to fire off a few steamy texts. Emily forced calmness. Screaming and crying changed nothing.
This wasnt his first betrayal. Before, hed blamed *her*claimed shed “let herself go” after the kids, lost her looks. But now? She was in peak shapetoned, glossy-haired, effortlessly elegant in a simple dress. She couldve passed for a telenovela star.
Her friends didnt get it. Comfortably well-off, educated, three kidsshed manage fine without him. But no. Emily endured the cheating, only occasionally mustering the energy for a blow-up, complete with divorce threats.
Then his parents would swoop in, scolding her.
“Look at our neighbour, *Margaret*,” his mother would say. “Widowed, working two jobs, sewing into the night. Or *Vera*her husband drinks, she wears rags, the kids do too!”
“But”
“No *buts*! Youre living like royaltya full pantry, designer clothes, no job! So what if he strays? *Gregory* dabbled toodid I complain? Men are like catswarmth and affection keep them home. Nag, and theyll bolt!”
Emily smiled bitterly. Shed *seen* Gregory sneaking out of Margarets. Hed just learned to hide it better than his son.
“Polinas right,” her father-in-law would add. “If hes straying, *youre* lacking somewhere. My wife ever nagged like you? Id put her in her place. Dont like it? She can pack her bags!”
Her mother-in-law would simper, and Emilys stomach would churn. Her own parents had adored each othertaught their kids honesty. If love faded, you *said so*no double lives.
No one deserved deceit. So why was *his* cheating *her* fault?
Shed cried rivers, wasted fortunes on fortune-tellers promising to “fix” himall useless. Friends urged her to leave. But where? Three kids, no job. And she still loved him. Theyd been together since primary schoolfirst crush, first love.
Maybe her in-laws were right. Maybe hed grow out of it. Maybe *she* had driven him to thisbecause he *had* been devoted once.
But then shed remember that text, and fury burned. *What now?* Before, hed blamed her weight, her looks. Today? She was flawless. What did that *older* woman have that she didnt? And their *anniversary*ten years!and he was at it again.
She grabbed her phone, scrolling party planners. One number stood out. She called.
Next day, the co-owner arrived*Leo*, apologising for his absent partner, promising perfection.
“Weve got gift catalogues, themesor suggest your own. Whats your husband into? Fishing? Cars?”
“Women. And cheating.”
“Pardon?”
“My husband *adores* women. Cant go a day without cheating.”
The dam burst. Tears streamed; café patrons stared.
“Why tolerate it? Youre enabling him. Respect yourselfor he never will.”
“You dont”
“I *do*. My little sister *was* Her husband cheated. She stayed silent. Then shes gone. Im raising her kids now. You have children?”
“Yes.”
“Live for *them*. Youll find a home, a jobbut only one life.”
“Youre right.”
Dabbing her eyes, Emily smiled weakly. “Thank you. I know *exactly* what surprise to give my husband.”
The next week was a whirlwinda posh countryside venue, invites sent to friends, family, even Jamess colleagues. Leo kept her steady, reminding her not all men were like James.
The big night arrived. Emily, radiant in black lace, checked her reflectionhair, makeup, accessories, flawless. Leo squeezed her shoulder.
“Ready? Last chance to back out.”
“No turning back.”
“Then Ill signal the team to move your things.”
The party was in full swing. James, basking in praise, kept sneaking glances at *Natalie*who, thanks to Emilys planning, was *also* invited.
“Time for gifts!” Emily announced. “Darling, in ten years, Ive learned one thingnever argue with a man like you. Just accept him. And thank you. Youve shown me *exactly* what marriage should be. No grand speechesjust this.”
A massive cake rolled inout sprang three showgirls: blonde, brunette, redhead. Emily watched Jamess baffled delight, then whispered to Natalie:
“Think youre special? Look how he eyes those girls. Now look at *yourself*.”
As Natalie paled, Emily turned to her mother-in-law.
“Gregorys still visiting *Margaret*, by the way.”
Before the spluttering began, Emily faced James.
“Like your gift? Youve always loved womenhow many? Three? Ten? Blondes, brunettes, redheads now *Natalie*. Your parents were rightno more jealousy. Enjoy this life. But *without me*. Happy anniversary!”
Gasps erupted. Emily took the kids hands and walked outstraight to Leos waiting car.
The divorce was tedious. James blamed *her*, begged reconciliation. But time ran out.
Friends marvelledhow *Emily*, so meek, had pulled this off? Simple: James had funded it. Weekly allowances piled up, then the party money.
Years later, shes never regretted leaving. Happily remarried, adored by Leo, her kids loved as his own.
Starting over isnt failure. Cheatings just comparisonhunting for “better.” Why cling when one thrives and the other bleeds?
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