James rushes down the stairs after Emily, shouting, Wait, love, I havent cheated on you, I swear it on my life! His voice booms through the block, the curious heads poking from doorways watching the domestic drama, the neighbours quietly listening, peeking through their peepholes.
Emily bursts out of the entrance, hops into a black cab and speeds away. James barely manages to watch her disappearing figure.
It all began three months ago when Jamess life started to go downhill. A colleague with whom hed kept a strictly professional relationship for years, Claire Saunders, suffered a personal tragedya failed pregnancy and a swift divorce. After months of rehab she returned to the office, but she was a completely different woman.
Listen, I cant take this any longer, Claire confides one evening, her voice trembling. Shes been haunting me for a monthlatenight calls, messages, showing up at my flat more than once. James storms into the directors office, venting his frustration.
The director chuckles. It happens. Shes in love, what can you do? I dont see any crime here, he says.
But I did nothing! We only ever talked about work. Now my marriage is falling apart because of Claire, James protests, his voice rising.
The director shrugs. What do you expect from me? Claires a perfectly decent employee. What happens outside work isnt my concern.
James teeters on the edge of despair. Hes tried to ignore the situation, pretend everythings fine, but the façade cracks. Tension builds between him and Emily, and Emily begins to doubt her husbands fidelity. She cant believe a woman could orchestrate all those unmistakable texts, hints and photos.
Emily, please, Ive never been unfaithful. I never even thought about it, James begs, his tone pleading.
You realise all your words sound like excuses against those messages, dont you? Do you think Im a fool who cant add two and two? Emily replies coolly.
Its all intentional. I block her number, she just uses another. Im at a loss. How can I prove Im clean? James asks.
I dont know, James. Im exhausted. Its been almost three months and Im done believing you. Too many coincidences, too many Claire moments in our lives Emily whispers.
Stop saying that! She isnt mine. I dont need her! James shouts.
Emily wonders why she cant trust him any more. She remembers the time she caught him nervously deleting messages, the way he erased photos he didnt want her to see. Since then hes stayed later at work, become more irritable and withdrawn.
Maybe Im just paranoid, Emily muses.
Claire, meanwhile, works like a seasoned strategist. Once a sweet, quiet woman, she married, went on maternity leave, then suffered a miscarriage and a marital breakdown that sent her spiralling. Back at the office she starts giving James small bits of attentionharmless compliments in the corridor, a friendly smile. James brushes it off.
Soon Claire launches a fullscale assault on James and Emilys relationship, like a storm tearing down years of trust. They keep bumping into her at the local supermarket, even though she lives in a different borough. She joins the same gym James frequents, slipping into his phone calls with cheeky remarks: Youre as cute as a kitten, or Ive made you coffee, why arent you coming over?
One evening Claire calls from an unfamiliar number, James, could you help? My friend in the next block isnt answering, my phones at two per cent, Im scared I wont catch a cab. Are you home? Please come down. Her voice sounds angelic, pleading.
Emily watches from the window, feeling a knot tighten. When James steps out of the lift, Claire throws herself around his neck, clinging desperately. Emilys doubts solidify.
Later that night Emily receives a text on Jamess phone: Thanks for coming, otherwise someone would have been watching you. Ill be half an hour late tomorrow as we agreed. Emily whispers, James you were supposed to be at a friends tomorrow How?
She finally types a reply: Well talk in the morning. Im asleep now. Ill call you. The reply comes instantly: Got it. Im waiting for your call. You know Im always near. Emily sits frozen, unsure how to act. At dawn she decides to stay with her sister, Sarah, to think things through, far from James and Claire.
The next morning James wakes to the jangle of keys. His phone lies on the pillow. Sensing something amiss, he leaps up, rushes to the front door, and, after a frantic attempt to stop Emily from leaving, returns to the flat, pacing like a trapped animal. Emily refuses his calls; Sarah asks James not to disturb Emily.
Days stretch endlessly. James feels lost, knowing he must prove his innocence and win back his wifes trust. After a week he finally summons the courage to call Sarah and ask for a meeting with Emily.
Emily, please give me one chance. I know you dont believe me, but I have something that could change everything. After this meeting youll decide whether we stay together or part forever. After much pleading, Emily agrees.
They drive in silence. James keeps an eye on the road, glancing sidelong at Emily, who scans the dimming landscape outside. Emily, I need to ask you something, James says, pulling up in front of a modest council house. I want to blindfold you. Well walk a short distance. Please trust me.
Emily eyes him skeptically but consents. James guides her gently, supporting her elbow. Inside a building, the scent of fresh paint hits her nose.
Are we on a construction site? she asks, uneasy.
Not quite James replies, peeling away the blindfold. The weak light reveals an old school sports hallthe very place where their story began.
In the centre, on a bench, sits a bouquet of white lilies. Emily freezes.
Emily, do you know the moment I realised I was in love with you? James asks.
She remains silent, staring at the high ceiling. He continues, Not when we first met at the graduation party. Back when I transferred to this school in Year Ten, remember? I missed a few days, ended up in PE class with no one I knew. In the corner, I saw youblushing after volleyball, a bun of damp curls on your head, laughing in a way that filled the room. In that instant I knew Id love you forever.
Emilys eyes well up, tears threatening. She hadnt remembered that day, but Jamess vivid recollection touches something deep. He tells her how he feared approaching you, mustered courage over months before finally asking you out, and how he thanks destiny every day for leading him to that school, to that hall.
I never betrayed you, James whispers, taking her hands. All this time Ive only been yours.
A tear rolls down her cheek. She looks into his eyes, seeing the same sincerity that once captured her heart.
Id give up everythingquit my job, get Claire out of work, move cities, even change countriesjust to have you believe I never cheated, he declares.
They stand in the old gym, feeling that true love can survive any storm, even when a jealous soul tries to tear it apart.
