**Diary Entry**
«You’re so lucky, Sophie,» Natasha sighed wistfully. «Daniel picks you up from work every day, the flats just been done up, and you got that promotion. Makes a girl enviousbut in a good way, mind you!»
Sophie continued packing her bag. Daniel would be here in five minutes, and she didnt want to keep him waiting.
«Oh, come off it, Natasha. Weve had our rowsnearly split up during the renovation. And that promotion? Five years of grinding for it. You werent even here when I first set my sights on the role. Grass isnt always greener.»
Natasha pouted like a child. «You dont know how good youve got it, Soph. My Tom? A lazy, messy spendthrift! Ive spent six months nagging him to find proper work. And what does he say? ‘Im tired of working for someone else’wants to start his own business. With what money? The wages he blows on video games? Businessman, my foot…»
Sophie studied her friend. Theyd known each other just over a year, but shed grown fond of Natashaand knew every messy detail of her marriage. Tom really did torment her daily, with no sign of stopping.
«Im sure things will work out,» Sophie said, as her phone buzzed. «Oh, Daniels here. Better dashsee you Monday!»
Natasha nodded, watching her leave with an odd, pensive look Sophie didnt catch.
In the car, Daniel noticed her troubled expression. «Bad day?»
Sophie shook her head. «Natashas troubles with Tom. I dont think shell put up with it much longer.»
Daniel shrugged. «Not our problem.»
Sophie shot him a glare. His coldness grated sometimes. But she let it droparguing over Natasha wasnt worth it.
A month later, Natasha arrived at work red-eyed. «Were divorcing,» she blurted. «Toms thrown me outlike some stray cat! Where am I supposed to live now?»
Sophie hugged her. «Stay with us. Sort the divorce, find a placeno rush.»
Natasha sobbed into her shoulder. «Sophie, I dont know what Id do without you.»
Sophie patted her back, already dreading breaking the news to Daniel.
He wasnt thrilled, but stayed silent over dinner as Natasha prattled, alternating between complaints about Tom and gushing over the flat.
«Tom never lifted a finger in five years! But this placeperfection. Youve put your hearts into it.»
Sophie glowed. The décor was mostly her vision, and the praise warmed her.
Natasha turned out to be the ideal guestquiet, tidy, even cooking dinners by the third night. «Ill make a stew tonight,» she chirped from the back seat. «Everythings at home. God, its bliss not taking the bus anymorenight and day!»
Sophie smiled. Natasha had settled in quickly but made it clear she wasnt overstayingshe was already flat-hunting.
Dinners grew livelier. Natasha and Daniel bonded over music, dissecting albums for hours. Sophie watched, amazed, as her usually reserved husband opened up.
Then she saw them kissing in the car park.
«Couldnt you at least find somewhere private?» she said icily.
They sprang apart like teenagers caught smoking. Daniel stammered, «Sophie, its not»
«Checking each others fillings? With your tongues?» Sophie snapped. «Natasha, I took you inhelped you through the divorce. And this is how you repay me?»
Natasha lifted her chin. «Love happens, Sophie. Daniel said he hasnt felt this alive in years!»
Daniel paled. «Natasha, whatSophie, darling»
«Save it,» Sophie cut in. «Im staying at Mums tonight. Pack your thingsand take the sheets. I dont want to imagine what youve done on them. Keys.»
Daniel wordlessly handed them over. As Sophie drove off, she repeated: *Dont cry. Dont give them the satisfaction.*
Natashas voice trailed after her: «Why should *we* leave?»
At her mums, Sophie drowned in tea and tears. «Why did I even help her? This is all my fault!»
Her mum stroked her back. «You couldnt have known, love.»
«Ive lost my husband *and* my friend.»
«Things will get better.»
Sophie didnt believe it, but nodded.
The next morning, she dragged herself to workonly to find Natasha lying in wait.
«We need to talk! Why should *we* move out? Its *your* turn to leavetheres two of us!»
Sophie kept her voice steady. «Not here, Natasha.»
She avoided her all day, but at home, there was no escape. Daniel was packing. The flat felt hollow.
«Sophie, cant we fix this? I swear itll never happen again»
«No, Daniel. Ill always wonder if youre eyeing someone else. Is that the marriage you want?»
He hung his head. The doorbell rangNatasha, fists clenched.
«Answer me! Why are *we* leaving? This is your shared flatDaniels entitled to half!» She turned to him. «We dreamed of living here!»
Sophie almost laughed. «Ah, so you *were* jealousthe husband, the flat, the car. Thought youd steal half by taking him. But theres a flaw in your plan, Natasha. The flats minebought before the wedding. The cars from my inheritance. Daniel just drove it because I hate to. All youve won is *him*. Congratulations.»
Natasha gaped. «You *lied*? You always said ‘our flat’!»
«I considered it *our home*. But youwait. Did you even *divorce* Tom, or was this all a ploy?»
Natasha flushed with rage. «You flaunted your perfect lifeof course I wanted it! What did you expect?»
Sophie gave a hoarse laugh. «You shouldve done your homework, darling. Now get outboth of you. Ive had enough drama.»
Natasha hurled curses as Daniel dragged her out. His final glance begged forgivenessbut the ashes of their marriage were already cold.
