He married you, but he loves me, her friend said, avoiding eye contact.
Marina, do you want coffee? asked Sophie, flicking the kettle on and pulling two mugs from the cupboard.
Go on. Make it strongmy heads splitting, Marina rubbed her temples and slumped into a kitchen chair.
Sophie wordlessly scooped coffee into the mugs, then turned to her friend. Theyd been close for over a decade, ever since uni, and Sophie could always read Marina in an instant. Now, she looked exhausteddark circles under her eyes, hair hastily tied back.
Late night again? Sophie asked carefully.
Marina nodded, tracing the pattern on the plastic tablecloth.
Had to stay till half one finishing reports. Due tomorrow, and the numbers still werent adding up. I get home, and Olivers already asleep. Wake uphes already left for work. Its been like this all week.
Sophie slid a steaming mug across the table and sat opposite. Something flickered in her eyes, but Marina didnt catch it.
So how are things, really? Since the wedding? Sophie stirred sugar into her coffee.
Fine, I suppose, Marina shrugged. Still adjusting. You know what the first years like. Mum says its all part of settling in.
Settling in, Sophie repeated, a bitterness creeping into her voice.
Marina finally looked up, studying her friend.
Soph, whats wrong? Youre not yourself today.
Im fine, Sophie waved her off. Just knackered. Works mad, and weve started redecorating. Barely keeping my head straight.
But Marina wasnt buying it. They knew each other too well to hide things. That looksame as when Sophie confessed her crush on their philosophy lecturer back in uni. That same intensity.
Sophie, tell me. Whats going on?
Sophie stood, walked to the window, and stared into the courtyard. Then she turned sharply.
Marina, I need to tell you something. I just dont know how youll take it.
What is it? Marinas pulse quickened.
Its about Oliver.
Oliver? She set her mug down slowly. What about him?
Sophie stepped closer but kept her eyes down.
Weve been seeing each other. For six months.
Marina froze. The words didnt sink in at first.
What do you mean, *seeing* each other?
Like that. After work. Weekends when youre visiting your parents. Marina, Im sorryI never meant It just happened.
*Just happened*? Marinas voice dropped, turned icy. An affair *just happened*?
Dont call it that. We just *get* each other. We talk, go for walks, the theatre
The theatre, Marina echoed. And the rest? Was that just getting each other too?
Sophie flushed but said nothing. That was answer enough.
Marina stood, legs trembling, pride keeping her upright.
How long? she asked, shocked at how steady she sounded.
I told you. Six months. It started before your wedding, but we tried to stop. Thought wed forget each other. Then after the wedding he rang *me*.
After the wedding, *he* rang *you*. Marina spoke slowly. So on our honeymoon, he was thinking about *you*?
Sophies head dropped lower.
Marina, I know this hurts. But he married *you* and loves *me*. And I love him. We never wanted to hurt you, but
He married me but loves you, Marina repeated. The words hung like a verdict.
The kitchen fell silent. Just the clock ticking and the hum of the fridge. Marina stood there, Sophie still avoiding her gaze.
Why tell me now? Marina finally asked. You couldve kept quiet.
I couldnt anymore. Oliver wanted to tell you himself, but I thought youd rather hear it from me. Were *friends*
Friends. Marina gave a bitter laugh. Ten years of friendship, and this is how it ends.
Marina, *listen*you dont choose who you love. It just happens. We didnt plan
Didnt *plan*? Marinas voice cracked. You stood at my wedding, wished me happiness, asked how we were doing*was that unplanned too*? Told me to be patient with him?
I *wanted* it to work for you, I *did*. But I cant help how I feel. I *love* him.
And he loves *you*?
Sophie lifted her head, and the look in her eyes shattered Marina completely.
Yes, she whispered. He does. He says he realised too late. When it was already too late to change things.
Too late? A wedding isnt a prison sentence. He didnt *have* to marry me.
He didnt want to upset you. Thought hed grow to love you. Youre kind, goodeveryone said you were perfect together.
Perfect together, Marina sank back into the chair, legs giving way. So he married me out of *pity*?
Not pity. Respect. He *values* you
But doesnt love me.
No, he doesnt. Im sorry.
Marina covered her face. Her thoughts blurred. Six months of marriage, and all along, her husband was sleeping with her best friend. The late nights, the excusesit all clicked into place.
Where? she asked, voice muffled.
My place. Sometimes a café across town.
*Your* place. *This* kitchen?
Sophies silence said everything.
Marina grabbed her bag from the chair.
Where are you going? Sophie panicked.
Home. To talk to my *husband*.
Marina, *wait*lets talk this through. Theres got to be a way
What way? Marina turned at the door. You offering a threesome? Or should I *graciously* hand him over and play the understanding friend?
I dont know. I justI dont want to lose you.
You already did. The second you slept with him.
*Marina*!
But Marina was already gone.
The bus ride home was a blur. Passengers came and went, but she saw none of it. One phrase looped in her head: *He married you, but he loves me*.
The flat was silent. Oliver wouldnt be back for hours. Marina sat on their bed*their* bed, for six monthsand replayed every sign shed missed. His distance, the way hed stopped talking, the lack of real intimacy. Shed blamed stress, adjusting to married life.
Now, other things made sense. How Sophie always asked about their plans. How Olivers calls always ran late. How Sophie had stopped inviting her over.
Marina stood, faced the mirror. An ordinary facenot ugly, not stunning. Kind, reliable, the type men *say* they want. But not all of them, apparently.
The key in the lock made her jump. Oliver was early.
Marina? You home? he called.
In here.
He kissed her cheek like always. Just a regular thirty-year-old bloke, unremarkable to anyone elsebut hed been *everything* to her. Until today.
How was work? he asked, shrugging off his jacket.
Fine. Yours?
Same old. Exhausted.
He headed to the shower. A normal eveningif you didnt know the truth.
Over dinner, he chatted about work, complained about his boss, made weekend plans. Marina listened and wondered: *Whos this performance for?*
Oliver, she said when he paused.
Yeah?
Sophie told me something today.
He froze, spoon halfway to his mouth. Then set it down carefully.
What? His voice was tight.
That youve been seeing each other.
He closed his eyes, exhaled.
*She* told you?
Yes. In her kitchenwhere youve probably had dinner.
Marina
Dont explain. Just tell me: is it true?
Yes, he met her eyes. I was going to tell you. Ive been trying to for days.
For *days*. But its been *six months*.
Yeah.
Since *before* we got married?
Yes. We tried to stop, but
But the *great love* was too strong, she finished.
Oliver stood, walked to the window.
I never wanted this. *Never*. But I *love* her.
And me?
A long pause. Then:
I dont. I thought I would, in time. Youre good. I respect you. But loves not something you force.
Why marry me, then?
You wanted it. Everyone said it was time. I thoughtwhy not? Youre safe. Reliable.
Safe. Reliable, she repeated. Like a savings account.
Dont say that. I never meant to hurt you.
And yet you did. Six months of *lies*. Was that painless?
He turned, and she saw the shame in his eyes.
Its not painless. I *know* its not. Its been hell, pretending
*Hell*, she scoffed. Right. So what now?
I dont know. Divorce, I suppose.
Suppose, she agreed. And marry Sophie?
If shell have me.
She will. She *loves* you. And you *love* her. Simple.
Marina cleared the table, hands shaking but steady enough.
Marina, Oliver called.
What?
Im sorry. I know how vile this is. But I couldnt lie anymore.
You *couldve*, she said without turning. Couldve *not* married me. Couldve told me sooner. Couldve not lied for *six months*.
I was scared of hurting you.
And now youve hurt me worse.
He had no answer to that.
That night, they slept on opposite sides of the bed. Marina listened to his breathing, realising that yesterday, this man was her husbandtoday, a stranger. One sentence from her best friend, and her life collapsed like a house of cards.
In the morning, Oliver left without a word. Marina called in sickshe needed time to think.
Walking through the flat, she tried to name what she felt. Pain, yes. Betrayal. But also relief. Finally, the truth. All the coldness, the distanceit made sense now.
Sophie rang at noon.
Marina, can we talk?
About what?
Everything. I need to explain.
You *did* explain.
Not properly. *Please*.
Marina almost hung upbut curiosity won.
Go on.
Not over the phone. Meet me.
No. Say it now or dont bother.
A pause. Then Sophie rushed:
I never meant to fall for him. *Never*. We just talked at your birthday, remember? You ran out for cake, and he opened upsaid he wasnt sure about the wedding. And I I *felt* something.
And then?
We kept meeting. Just talking at first. He said he couldnt be honest with youdidnt want to upset you. But with *me* And I fell for him. Hard.
So you stole your best friends fiancé.
I *didnt steal him*. I *told* him not to marry you if he didnt love you!
*How noble*.
But he *wouldnt listen*!
Marina almost laughed. Once, shed have felt sorry for Sophie. Now? Nothing.
Sophie, she said flatly. You *won*. Hes yours. Why bother with my forgiveness?
Because you *matter* to me!
Not enough to stop sleeping with him.
*Marina*
Were done. Dont call me again.
She hung up, switched off her phone.
That evening, when Oliver came home, she met him with a suitcase.
Packed your things, she said calmly. Ill file for divorce tomorrow.
He nodded, took it.
Where will I stay?
Sophies, I assume. Or rent somewhere.
Marina, he hesitated at the door. If you need help with the paperwork
Ill manage.
Alright. Im sorry.
Already forgiven, she said, and shut the door.
Then she sat on the sofa and *finally* criedproperly, until she was empty. And when the tears stopped, she realised: she felt *free*. For the first time in six months.
The divorce was quick, no fights. Oliver didnt touch the flat shed inherited; she didnt ask for alimony. A quiet, almost civil end.
A month later, she heard Oliver and Sophie had moved in together. It didnt hurtjust felt distant. Like they were strangers now.
Then, one Sunday in the park, a man with a dog helped her pick up dropped shopping. They got talking. Turned out, they had a lot in common. And the way he looked at her? Oliver never had.
Fancy a coffee? he asked.
Sure, Marina smiled.
And just like that, she knewlife wasnt over. It was only just beginning.
