Another Man’s Wife
As soon as Mark met Lucy, he realized that his world would never be the same. He had never felt such a strong pull towards a woman before. The problem was, she was married. And that wasn’t all!
Mark and Lucy’s husband, Tom, were good friends from their university days. They weren’t inseparable, but they kept in touch, met regularly, and attended mutual friends’ gatherings and celebrations.
It was at one of these parties that Tom introduced them to each other. “This is Lucy, my wife,” he said. Mark was taken aback, as he hadn’t known his friend had tied the knot.
It turned out they had skipped the formal celebrations and opted for a simple registry office ceremony instead. That was Tom’s decision. Why waste money on a big day when you could use it for a trip somewhere? Tom had always been known for being thrifty, preferring to save rather than spend.
“What about a bachelor party, the bride’s white dress, and beautiful photos for the family album?” Mark asked, genuinely surprised.
“I’m not a fan of all the formalities, you know that,” Tom grumbled. “We can have a bachelor party whenever, right, Lucy?”
Lucy nodded, though Mark noticed a fleeting shadow of displeasure on her face.
“Not a fan of white dresses?” Mark probed.
“I love them,” Lucy admitted candidly. “But the decision-maker is Tom. He thinks it’s all nonsense and a business built on romance. Besides, he read somewhere that the bigger the wedding, the sooner the divorce.”
“What a thought!” Mark laughed. “So getting married without a wedding secures a strong marriage?”
“Time will tell,” Lucy smiled, her expression turning dreamy as if she were looking into a future where she saw herself as a happy wife.
It seemed to be at that moment that Mark truly saw her eyes. And he was lost.
That evening they talked non-stop, finding many shared interests. Tom was absent most of the time, sorting work issues over the phone. Lucy didn’t seem to mind much that her husband had effectively left her alone.
It was Mark who found the situation odd. Bringing a new wife to a party and then doing other things? Strange.
He even asked Lucy, “Isn’t Tom worried about leaving you like this?”
“What do you mean?”
“A beautiful woman, left alone all evening… someone might just sweep you off your feet. Or isn’t he the jealous type?”
“Me?” Lucy was surprised by the question. “No way! Tom is married to his job.”
“Doesn’t it bother you?”
“What?”
“That his work comes first? That’s normal.”
“Shall we dance then?”
“Why not?”
That evening, sparks flew between them, something instant and undeniable.
No, it wasn’t love at first sight. It just felt like they were in sync, speaking and feeling in harmony.
To top it off, Lucy was enchanting. She wasn’t conventionally beautiful, but there was something about her features that combined to create a uniquely lovely image. Mark simply couldn’t get enough of their conversations…
A couple of weeks later, Tom called Mark:
“Hey, buddy, can you do me a favor? Lucy and I planned to go to a concert tonight, but work has blown up – my ticket’s going to waste. Would you take her?”
“Are you joking? Doesn’t she have any girlfriends?”
“Would you believe, no! She suggested you herself.”
“Where did you find such a gem?”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought they didn’t make them like that anymore: never argues, doesn’t get offended, no girlfriends. Maybe she’s good in the kitchen too?”
“Ha-ha-ha, you just have to know where to look!” Tom laughed, enjoying the joke. “I brought her from a quiet place. Or rather, moved her. Now she wants to experience cultural life. So, can you go tonight?”
“I can today, but remember – this is the first and last time. You’re lucky I’m free.”
Mark and Lucy had a fantastic time, chatting away as always. She even managed to persuade him to visit an exhibition the following week.
“You know, Tom’s always busy and isn’t interested in this stuff. And I don’t really know anyone here yet. Once I get a job, it’ll be easier to build a social circle.”
What could he do?
After their third outing (yes, Mark had started thinking in those terms), he resolved to avoid further meetings with Lucy, to avoid complications. Another man’s wife was off-limits. Period. Decided and done.
It wasn’t entirely possible to avoid her – birthdays in their circle were celebrated together.
At one such event, Lucy sat beside him and asked with disarming openness:
“Mark, are you avoiding me? Did I upset you? Did I say something wrong? I thought we got along really well.”
“We do. It’s just that… I don’t have much time. And it feels awkward. My natural modesty doesn’t let me entertain someone else’s wife often.”
Lucy laughed.
“Tom doesn’t mind!”
“What?” On hearing his name, Tom was distracted from discussing fishing with the neighbor on his right.
“He’s fine with Mark taking me to exhibitions and the theater,” Lucy replied without hesitation.
“Of course! She doesn’t fancy fishing – I asked her along,” Tom said, looking straight at his friend.
After that, Mark and Lucy spent time together occasionally. “We can just be friends, can’t we?” Mark reassured himself. “I’m not pursuing anything, not meddling in their relationship.” It took effort to rein in his feelings, though Tom’s trust also played a role.
Two years passed. Mark remained friends with both Lucy and Tom. He tried dating other women, but things never seemed to work out.
One day, Lucy called him in tears, asking to meet up.
It turned out that trouble had been brewing in their marriage for some time. Lucy really wanted a child, but Tom didn’t. And it wasn’t about timing – he was adamant about not having children. This led to them growing distant.
“Yesterday he yelled at me so loud, the walls shook,” Lucy confessed. “And he’s started getting jealous of everyone, even you. He thinks I’ll leave him for someone else. Honestly, I’m a bit scared of him.”
“Does he hit you?” Mark tensed.
“No, it hasn’t come to that, but he’s always shouting. Drinking most evenings, says it’s to relieve stress. Work’s really tough for him. I don’t know how much longer I can take it.”
Mark listened silently, suddenly horrified by one recurring thought: “What if Tom and Lucy actually separate?” It would be his chance to express his feelings.
But then Lucy spoke:
“Why are Tom and I so different, huh? It would be so much simpler if I loved someone like you, for instance.”
She had, without realizing, crushed Mark’s illusions. He almost laughed at himself. All this time, he’d thought only about his own feelings, unaware that Lucy didn’t have those kinds of feelings for him. She just wanted friendship.
Once Lucy calmed down, Mark promised to talk to Tom. And as he walked her home, he felt a sense of relief. It was like having a tooth removed – painful, but knowing it would feel better tomorrow.
The conversation with Tom didn’t go well. He had indeed started to get intensely jealous of Lucy.
“Stay out of it,” Tom snapped. “And don’t take her to any more exhibitions.”
A few months later, Mark unexpectedly received a message from his first high school love, who had returned to the area from London.
They exchanged messages passionately, as if the ten years apart hadn’t happened. Mark stopped thinking about Lucy. A mutual friend’s birthday came up at just the right time, and they attended together, predictably meeting Tom and Lucy there.
Mark didn’t leave his companion’s side, but it was in vain. As he walked her home and leaned in for a kiss, she pulled back:
“Let’s not. I saw how you look at her. There’s something between you and Lucy. You might fool others, but I’ve known you since we were kids.”
Almost asleep, his phone rang:
“Mark, please come over, help…” Lucy whispered, terrified. “Tom’s furious and drunk. I’ve locked myself in the bathroom, but he’s threatening to break the door down.”
Mark called a taxi. He worried Tom wouldn’t let him in, and he might have to call the police, but it didn’t come to that.
“Here comes the rescuer,” Tom sneered and swung his fist. Mark easily dodged. Fighting a drunk man wasn’t an option.
“I’m done!” Tom yelled. “It’s all about Mark – Mark this, Mark that… So much in common with him… For God’s sake, just take her!”
Mark looked at his friend with pity.
“You’re a fool. Lucy never loved me.”
Tom swung again…
Mark shook his head.
“You need to drink less. Lucy is definitely leaving with me tonight. Call me when you’re sober.”
In the car, he asked the shaken woman.
“Do you have somewhere to stay?”
“Can’t I stay with you?”
“I don’t think that’s a great idea.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right,” Lucy sniffled. “But you’re wrong about something else. I love you. I’m really happy to be with you.”
