**Between Two Fires**
I always thought the best way to survive betrayal was to drown it in tearsright here, right now, so thered be nothing left when I was alone. Even better if those tears fell on the shoulder of someone who truly understood.
That shoulder had belonged to Liam for nearly an hour. My husbands best friend. My *ex*-husbands, it seemed.
«Emily, please dont cry,» Liam murmured, his voice quiet and weary. His hand rubbed slow circles on my back, which only made me sob harder.
«Why would he do this to me?» I choked out, swiping a palm across my damp cheeks. «What did I do wrong? Am I not good enough? Just say it!»
«Youre the most beautiful woman Ive ever known. Daniels a fool.»
He said it with such sincerity that, for a second, I believed himso much that I stopped crying. Then I showed him the screenshot. *That* conversation Id found on Daniels phone. A girl named Charlotte had written: *When are you finally dumping that bore?* And the man whod sworn eternal love to me at the altar had replied: *Shed fall apart without me. I feel sorry for her.*
*Sorry.* That one word erased everythingour past, every whispered *I love you*, every plan for the future. Our marriage had been built on *pity*.
I buried my face in my hands. How humiliating.
Liam stayed silent. Unlike Daniel, who could fill any quiet moment with a hundred useless words, he knew when to say nothing at all. He was the only person in this city I could call in a moment like this. I knew Liam wouldnt pity me, wouldnt coddle me, wouldnt lecture me. That was exactly what I needed.
Hed arrived in twenty minutes flat. Listened to my hysterics without interruption, handed me a glass of water, and let me soak his jacket with tears. Then he just sat there beside me, his silence stronger than any speech.
«He *pitied* me, can you believe it?» I hiccuped for the hundredth time.
Again, Liam said nothing. Just clenched his fists and stared out the window. And in that restraint, I found more understanding and comfort than a million perfect words couldve given me.
***
Id met Daniel in my hometown of Bristol, at an exhibition for local artists. Id wandered in to escape the rain and saw him therearguing passionately with a friend in front of a grim, abstract canvas.
«This isnt art, its a diagnosis!» he snapped. «Theres no emotion, no thought, just shock value!»
Some foolish impulse made me cut in. «Isnt shock an emotion too? Art doesnt have to be pretty. It has to be honest.»
Daniel turned, and the fire in his grey eyes softened into curiosity. «So you believe art should be truth, no matter how bitter?»
We talked for three hours straight. He was a whirlwindideas, jokes, an insatiable love for life. That passion was what won me over. He could argue about 1970s cinema until he was hoarse, then drag me to the rooftop of some old building to watch raindrops shatter light in the puddles below. With him, there was never a dull moment. He made me feel alive, fascinating, *loved*. He didnt see *me*he saw some dazzling version of me, and I tried so hard to live up to it.
When he proposed two months later, urging me to move to Manchester and marry him, I said *yes* without hesitation. Stupid little moth, drawn to his flame.
I remember when he introduced me to his best friend.
«Meet Liammy brother, my guardian angel. And this is Emily, the love of my life!» Daniel beamed like a child.
Liam shook my hand, his gaze awkward? Wary? I didnt understand it then. He seemed quiet, seriousnothing like my loud, laughing Daniel. But later, we found common ground unexpectedly: we both adored Terry Pratchetts books and agreed the best coffee came from tiny, hidden cafés, not chains.
In Manchester, I realised Liam was a safe harbour. Daniel was thrilling, but after a storm, you crave stillness. And Liam knew how to be still. He listened for hours as I rambled about books or complained about the move. Never interrupted, never tried to impressjust nodded and sometimes asked a question so perceptive it proved he *heard* me.
With him, I felt calm. *Safe*. Something I never felt with my husband, whoas time revealedonly ever loved himself.
***
I cant pretend I didnt suspect the cheating. I ignored the signs: late «work meetings,» his phone always face-down, missing hours, unfamiliar perfume. It was obvious. But he spun such convincing lies that I *wanted* to believe. *Daniel loves me. Hes the man I met at that gallery. He wouldnt lie.*
More and more, I found myself preferring Liams company. He didnt shower me with empty complimentshe just *listened*. Like my words mattered. Once, the three of us were at a picnic. I mentioned wanting to paint a series based on old Cornish legends. Daniel yawned.
«Sounds like a dull documentary.»
But Liam brightened. «Which legend would you start with?»
We talked for half an hour, deep in discussion, while Daniel played games on his phone. That was when the traitorous thought slipped in: *This is who Id want beside menot just for the highs, but the everyday.*
Six months later, I glimpsed flirtatious texts from some girl. Daniel didnt even blink. *Just an old school friendweve always joked like this.* A near-miss bride, apparently. *He couldnt lie so convincingly*, I told myself. So I ignored it.
Then came the night I found the messages with Charlotte. It hurt. It humiliated. But what cut deepest wasnt the betrayalit was that hed stayed with me out of *pity*.
Liam had known, of course. He and Daniel had been friends since primary school. Daniel bragged about his conquestsfalling in love (or rather, making others fall for him) was as natural as breathing. Liam was reserved, never understood that carelessnessbut he never judged his friend. Not until Daniel married me.
I didnt know Liam had tried to talk sense into him, that theyd even fought over it. Daniel never told mejust sneered once, «Liams soft on you. Poor sods jealous.» I refused to believe it. *No. Liams just a friend. Hes too decent for that.*
Now here I was, sitting on Liams sofa, my life in ruins. And he was the only one left.
«Daniel wont change,» Liam said quietly, cutting through my thoughts. His voice was firm. «Hes not a bad person. Just different. Like a child who wants every toy but never treasures the one he has.»
«Im not a toy.»
«Of course not. Youre youre a whole universe,» he faltered, dropping his gaze.
The decision came easily. «I think I should go home. To Bristol.»
Liam sighed. Something flickered in his eyespain? Hesitation?
«Yes,» he finally said. «Thats best. Youll have time to clear your head.»
«Will you drive me?»
He couldve refused. He had work, responsibilities. But he just nodded. «Pack your things. Ill help.»
***
Six months in Bristol passed like one long, foggy day. Daniel agreed to the divorce instantlyalmost relieved, it seemed. I tried to mend myself. My parents pity only made it worse.
Liam called every day. At first, just checking in. Then our talks grew longer, deeperjust like before. We spoke about everything except *him*. One day, I realised I waited for Liams calls more than Id ever waited for Daniels.
Then, one morning, I looked out the windowand saw his car. He hadnt warned me he was coming.
My heart leapt. I ran outside. «Liam? Whats wrong?»
He stepped out, looking more agitated than Id ever seen him. «Nothings wrong. Everythings finally right.»
He moved closer, eyes locked on mine. «Emily, Im no good with speeches. I cant paint pretty pictures with words or put on a show. But I know one thing. Ive loved you all this time. Silently. Because you were my best friends wife, and saying anything wouldve been a betrayal. But now now Im free to say it. I dont expect anything in return. I just needed you to know.»
He looked so vulnerable. As lost as Id been that night hed comforted me. And in his eyes, I saw what Id missed for yearsnot pity. *Respect.* And lovereal, unwavering love.
Every conversation, every silent moment of support, every knowing glance rushed through my mind. I remembered how he valued my thoughts, how he saw *me*not just «Daniels wife,» but flawed, living, breathing *Emily*.
I looked at this quiet, steady man whod always been there, and knew my heart had already chosen.
«Liam lets try?»
Hope lit his eyes. «You mean it? Youll marry me?»
Time stopped. The pain, the betrayalall of it fell away. Everything before this moment felt like a long road leading me to him. To someone who loved me not for some dazzling illusion, but for *me*. Silently. Faithfully.
«Yes,» I whispered, tears streaming down my facebut this time, they were different. «Yes, Liam. *Yes.*»
He didnt speak. Just reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Inside was a worn key.
«Its to my flat. *Our* flat, if you want. I I didnt plan this. Ive just carried it with me, like a good luck charm.»
He pulled me into his arms, and his embrace was the strongest, safest place in the world.
