The phone buzzed in her hand just as she finished reading the message.
Thanks, Johnny! I dont know what Id do without you, flashed across the screen.
Her husbands phone had vibrated right in her grip. Emily glanced at it automatically. The sender was someone named Lucy. The message ended with a tiny pink heart, like a soft kiss.
Emily froze. *Lucy? Johnny?* She might have brushed it off as a distant relative or a coworkerexcept for one detail: her husband had never mentioned anyone by that name. Or had he been hiding it?
She looked up sharply. She needed the truth first, not wild guesses. But her chest tightened with jealousy anyway.
Whos Lucy? Emily asked, struggling to keep her voice steady.
John, sipping his tea calmly, blinked in confusion.
What?
Lucy, she repeated, holding up the phone. Who is she?
He glanced at the screen, and for just a second, something flickered in his eyes. Then he shrugged.
Oh Thats just Laura.
Emily went cold.
What *Laura*?
My ex. Its nothing, honestly.
She set the phone down and crossed her arms.
Your ex calls you Johnny and thanks you with hearts? You think thats normal?
John shrugged again, like it wasnt worth discussing.
Yeah. I lent her some money. She needed help, so I helped.
Emilys temper flared.
You gave money to your ex?!
Yeah, so what?
So *what*?! she snapped. Are you serious? You think its fine to take *our* money and hand it to some Lucy?
He finally met her eyes.
Emily, youre making a mountain out of a molehill. Weve known each other forever. Why wouldnt I help her?
She laughed, but there was no joy in it.
Youre married, John. To *me*! And yet youre still running after her.
He sighed, irritated, as if explaining something obvious to a child.
We ended on good terms. Shes not a stranger to me.
And *I* am?
John fell silent. Emily shook her head and exhaled heavily.
How long has this been going on?
What?
This little friendship of yours.
He looked away.
Weve always talked. Even before you. I just never mentioned it. Didnt see the point.
Emily felt her whole body burn with anger.
So youve been hiding this for *two years*?
I wasnt *hiding* it! There was nothing to tell. Im not cheating. Why are you overreacting?
She took a deep breath, fighting the urge to shout.
And how often *do* you help her?
Now and then. Small things. Fixing her laptop, sorting her Wi-Fi.
So my *husband* runs around after another woman like some handyman?
What are you on about?! he burst out. I helped her out, lent her money! Is that a crime?! Id do the same for you!
Emily stared at him, cold and firm.
If you dont see anything wrong with this, then we clearly have different ideas of what marriage means.
She turned and walked out of the kitchen. She couldnt bear to look at him right now.
That day passed like a blur for Emily. Anger, hurt, confusion. She tried to think rationally, but one question echoed in her mind: *How did I not see this?*
John didnt act guilty. He no longer hid his chats with Laura but pretended it was all perfectly normal.
Over the next two weeks, the truth became clear. Her husband was often late from work. Every few days, Laura had some urgent problem only he could fix.
Im going to Lauras tonight, he said casually over dinner. Her washing machines broken.
Emily set down her fork and gave him a sharp look.
Are there no other repairmen in town?
Come on, is it really so hard to help someone?
Not for you. For me, its hard to accept.
Here we go again! Is this all we ever talk about now?
Yes, *again*, she said flatly. Because your ex always needs saving. At least you dont share kids.
John sighed but kept eating.
If it was the neighbour or my mum, would you still react like this?
The difference is, they wouldnt call you every other day.
Emily, he said tiredly. Youre acting like Ive cheated.
I dont know if you have, she shot back. But this isnt normal. And I wont pretend it is.
He smirked.
You dont trust me.
Have you given me reason to?
Silence settled between them.
Three days later, Laura was back.
Laura called, John announced carelessly. Shes buying a fridge but cant get it delivered.
Emily turned slowly to face him.
So youre dropping everything to play delivery man?
Whats the big deal?
John, do you *seriously* not see the problem?
I see you making drama out of nothing.
*Im* not the one making a spectacleyou are. And I wont be part of it. If youre so desperate to help Laura, why not move in with her? Save on petrol.
Youre serious?
Deadly.
So youre kicking me out?
No, John. Im giving you a choice. Either youre in this family, or you walk away. But I wont have you here like this.
She turned and left. She was done with his games. Maybe he thought honesty meant admitting where he was going. But to Emily, this wasnt honestyit was betrayal.
Twenty-four hours passed since their last argument. Emily sat in the kitchen, staring at her phone. John hadnt called. Hadnt texted. Hed just left. Maybe to
Ten days of silence later, Emily understood: sometimes, walking away isnt a loss. Its a lessonone that teaches you never to settle for less than you deserve.
