«He married you, but he loves me,» said Emily, avoiding eye contact.
«Would you like some coffee?» asked Charlotte, switching on the kettle and reaching for two mugs from the cupboard.
«Yes, please. Make it strongmy heads splitting,» Emily rubbed her temples and sank onto a kitchen chair.
Charlotte measured the coffee in silence, then turned to her friend. They had known each other for over a decade, since university, and Charlotte could always read Emilys mood. Today, she looked exhausteddark circles under her eyes, her hair hastily tied back.
«Late night again?» Charlotte asked gently.
Emily nodded, tracing the pattern on the plastic tablecloth.
«Up till half one with reports. The numbers wouldnt add up. I got home, and James was already asleep. Woke up this morninghed left for work. Thats how its been all week.»
Charlotte placed a steaming cup in front of her and sat down. A strange flicker crossed her face, but Emily didnt notice.
«How are things between you two, really? Since the wedding?» Charlotte stirred sugar into her coffee.
«Fine, I suppose,» Emily shrugged. «Still adjusting. You know how the first year issupposed to be the hardest. Mum says its just the settling-in phase.»
«Settling in,» Charlotte repeated, bitterness creeping into her tone.
Emily finally looked up, studying her.
«Charlotte, whats wrong? You seem off today.»
«Im fine,» Charlotte waved it away. «Just tired. Works mad, and weve started redecorating. Its all a bit much.»
But Emily had grown suspicious. They knew each other too well for secrets. That lookthe same as when Charlotte had confessed her crush on their philosophy professor years ago.
«Tell me whats going on. Were friends,» Emily pressed.
Charlotte stood, walked to the window, and stared into the garden before turning abruptly.
«Emily, theres something I need to say. I dont know how youll take it.»
«Go on.»
«Its about James.»
Emilys heart quickened. «What about him?»
Charlotte stepped closer but kept her eyes down.
«Weve been seeing each other. For six months.»
Emily froze. The words didnt register at first.
«Seeing each other?»
«Yes. After work. On weekends when you visit your parents. Emily, Im sorryI never meant for this to happen. It just did.»
«Just happened?» Emilys voice grew quiet, sharp. «An affair just happened?»
«Dont call it that. We just understand each other. We talk, go for walks, even to the theatre»
«The theatre,» Emily echoed. «And do you sleep together just for understanding too?»
Charlotte flushed. Silence was answer enough.
Emily stood, legs trembling, but pride kept her upright.
«How long?» she asked, amazed at her own calm.
«Six months. It started before your wedding. We tried to stop, but after he called me.»
«So on our honeymoon, he was thinking of you?»
Charlottes head dropped lower.
«I know it hurts. But he married youand loves me. And I love him. We never meant to hurt you.»
«He married me but loves you,» Emily repeated, the words a verdict.
The kitchen fell silent, save for the ticking clock and hum of the fridge. Emily stood motionless; Charlotte wouldnt meet her eyes.
«Why tell me now? You couldve kept quiet.»
«I couldnt. James wanted to confess, but I thought it should come from me. Were friends»
«Friends,» Emily laughed bitterly. «Ten years of friendship, and this is how it ends.»
«Love isnt a choice, Emily. It just happens. We didnt plan»
«Didnt plan to attend my wedding? Congratulate me? Ask how married life was? Advise 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?»
Charlotte looked up, and the truth in her eyes shattered Emilys heart.
«Yes,» she whispered. «He says he realised too late.»
«Too late? A wedding isnt a prison. He couldve said no.»
«He didnt want to upset you. Thought hed grow to love you. Everyone said you were perfect together.»
«Perfect,» Emily sank back onto the chair, legs giving way. «So he married me out of pity?»
«Not pity. Respect. He cares for you»
«But doesnt love me.»
«No. Im sorry.»
Emily covered her face. Six months of marriage, all a lie. His late nights, distracted conversationsnow it made sense.
«Where did you meet?»
«At my flat. Sometimes cafés across town.»
«Here? In this kitchen?»
Silence.
Emily grabbed her bag.
«Where are you going?» Charlotte panicked.
«Home. To talk to my husband.»
«Waitwe can figure this out»
«Figure what out? A threesome? Or should I hand him over like some noble martyr?»
«I dont want to lose you.»
«You already did.»
The bus ride home blurred. Passengers, stops, streetsnone of it registered. Only those words: *He married you but loves me.*
The flat was empty. James wouldnt be back for hours. Emily sat on their bed, retracing the signshis distance, rare intimacy. Shed blamed work, adjustment.
Then the key turned.
«Em? You home?»
«In here.»
He kissed her cheek, like always. An ordinary man, now a stranger.
«How was work?»
«Fine. Yours?»
«Busy. Exhausting.»
She watched himthe act, the lies.
«James, Charlotte told me something today.»
He stilled.
«What?»
«That youre seeing her.»
A long pause.
«Yes. I was going to tell you.»
«For six months?»
«Since before the wedding. We tried to stop, but»
«But love conquered all,» she finished.
«I never meant for this. But I love her.»
«And me?»
Another pause.
«I thought Id grow to. Youre kind, steady»
«Like a savings account.»
«I didnt mean to hurt you.»
«Six months of lies didnt hurt?»
His face twisted.
«What now?»
«Divorce, I suppose.»
«And marry Charlotte?»
«If shell have me.»
«She will.» Emily cleared the table, hands steady.
«Emily»
«You couldve said no. Couldve been honest.»
«I was scared»
«And made it worse.»
That night, they slept on opposite sides of the bed. By morning, he left without a word. Emily called in sick, needing time.
The call came at noon.
«Can we talk?» Charlotte pleaded.
«About what?»
«About everything. Let me explain.»
«You did.»
«Not properly. Please»
«Say it now or dont bother.»
A pause, then rushed words:
«It started at your birthday. You ran out for cake, and he confessed doubtsabout marrying you. I fell for him.»
«And kept seeing him.»
«We tried to stop after the wedding. He came back to me.»
«You couldnt resist.»
«What was I supposed to do?»
«Walk away.»
«I tried. But he found me.»
«And you caved.»
Charlottes voice broke. «Emily, I know Ive hurt you. But I cant change how I feel.»
«You got what you wanted. Why ask for forgiveness?»
«Because I care about you.»
«You lost me the moment you slept with him.»
That evening, she met James with a suitcase.
«Your things. Ill file for divorce tomorrow.»
He nodded.
«Where will I stay?»
«With Charlotte, I assume.»
«Emif you need help with»
«Ill manage.»
He left. Only then did she crylong, wrenching sobs. And when the tears dried, she felt free.
The divorce was swift. No fights over the flat her parents had given her. A month later, she heard James and Charlotte had moved in together. The news barely stung.
Then, one Sunday, walking through Hyde Park, she met a man with a Labrador. He helped gather her dropped shopping, and they talked. He looked at her in a way James never had.
«Fancy a coffee?» he asked.
«Maybe,» she said, realising life wasnt overit was just beginning.
**Some lies break you. Others set you free. Some lies break you. Others set you free.
