**Diary Entry**
I glanced at my phone as the notification popped up: *Thanks, Johnny! Dont know what Id do without you.*
My husbands phone buzzed right in my hand. The senders name was Lucy. The message ended with a pink heartlike a tiny kiss.
My breath caught. *Lucy? Johnny?* I mightve brushed it off as a distant relative or coworker if not for one thing: hed never mentioned anyone by that name. Or had he kept her hidden?
I forced myself to stay calm. I needed the truth before jumping to conclusions. But jealousy coiled tight in my chest.
Whos Lucy? I asked, steadying my voice.
James, sipping his tea, blinked in confusion.
What?
Lucy, I repeated, holding up his phone. Who is she?
His eyes flickeredjust for a secondbefore he shrugged.
Oh Its just Louise.
I froze.
*Which* Louise?
My ex. Theres nothing between us.
He set the phone down and crossed his arms.
Your ex calls you Johnny and thanks you with hearts? You think thats normal?
Another shrug, like it wasnt worth discussing.
Yeah. I lent her some money. She needed help.
Fury burned through me.
You gave your ex money?!
Whats the big deal?
The big deal? My voice sharpened. Seriously? You take *our* money and hand it to some Lucy?
He finally met my gaze.
Emma, youre making a mountain out of a molehill. Weve known each other forever. Why shouldnt I help?
I laughedempty, bitter.
Youre married. *To me.* Yet youre still playing knight in shining armour for her.
He sighed, irritated, as if explaining something obvious to a child.
We ended on good terms. Shes not a stranger.
And I am?
Silence. I exhaled heavily.
How long has this been going on?
What?
Your lovely little friendship.
His gaze drifted away.
Weve always talked. Even before you. I just never mentioned it. Didnt want to upset you.
My hands clenched.
So for two years, you hid it?
I didnt *hide* it. There was no reason to tell you. Im not cheating. Why are you overreacting?
I inhaled deeply, fighting the urge to scream.
How often do you help her?
Sometimes. Small things. Fixing her laptop, running errands.
So my husband plays handyman for another woman?
He scoffed.
Jesus, Emma! I helped her out, loaned her cash. Is that a crime? Id do the same for you!
My voice turned ice-cold.
If you dont see anything wrong with this, we have very different ideas of what marriage means.
I walked out. I couldnt bear to look at him.
The day blurredrage, hurt, confusion. I tried to rationalise it, but one question burned: *How did I miss this?*
James acted innocent. He stopped hiding his chats with Louise but treated it like it was nothing.
Over the next fortnight, the pattern became clear. He was late from work often. Every few days, Louise had some emergency.
Im seeing Louise tonight, he announced over dinner. Her washing machine broke.
I set my fork down slowly.
No other repairmen in London?
Is it so hard to help someone?
For you, no. For me, its hard to accept.
Here we go again!
Yes, *again*, I snapped. Because your ex always needs saving. At least you dont share kids.
He rolled his eyes and kept eating.
If it was my mum or the neighbour, would you care?
The difference is they wouldnt call you daily.
Emma, he sighed. Youre acting like Ive cheated.
I dont know if you have. But this isnt normal. And it *hurts*.
He smirked.
You dont trust me.
Have you given me reason to?
Silence stretched between us.
Three days later, Louise was back.
Louise called, James said casually. Shes buying a fridge but needs help moving it.
I turned to him slowly.
So youll drop everything to deliver it?
Whats the issue?
James, do you *seriously* not see the problem?
I see you making drama out of nothing.
*Youre* the one with the circus. And I wont be part of it. If Louise matters so much, move in with her. Save on petrol.
Are you serious?
Deadly.
Youre kicking me out?
No. Im giving you a choice. Be in *this* family, or walk your own path. But I wont share you.
I left before he could twist my words. Maybe he thought honesty was admitting where he was going. But to me, it wasnt honestyit was betrayal.
Twenty-four hours passed since our fight. I sat in the kitchen, staring at my phone. No calls. No texts. He was gone.
After ten days of silence, I realised: sometimes goodbye isnt a loss. Its a lessonteaching you never to settle for less than you deserve.
