The phone trembled in her hand like a dying insect. «Your husband is mine now,» whispered her best friend, voice dripping with honeyed poison.
«Have you seen my blue scarf? The fringed one Simon brought back from France?» Marina rifled through the wardrobe, hurling jumpers onto the unmade bed. «I can’t find it anywhere.»
«Check the hallway, maybe?» Vera murmured, eyes never leaving her phone screen.
«Already did. Gone, like it vanished into thin air.» Marina slammed the wardrobe door. «I wanted to wear it with my new coat for Natasha’s anniversary party.»
Vera finally looked up, studying her friend. Marina was beautiful even nowhair tousled, wearing an old band tee and jeans, chestnut waves spilling over her shoulders. Golden flecks danced in her green eyes.
«Maybe you left it at Claire’s last Friday? You went to the theatre together,» Vera suggested, rising from the sofa.
«Thats it!» Marina brightened. «Completely forgot. Ill call her now.»
While Marina searched for her phone, Vera drifted to the window. From the fifth floor, she watched the caretaker raking leaves in the courtyard below. Autumn had claimed London, painting the city in rust and gold.
«Claires not picking up,» Marina said, joining her at the window. «Strange. We agreed to meet before Natashas party.»
«Probably running late,» Vera shrugged, eyes locked on her phone as a new message flashed. «You know Clairealways dashing between shops last minute.»
Marina laughed. «Remember how she showed up five minutes before my wedding? Simon nearly called off the ceremony, thinking the bridesmaid had bailed.»
At the mention of her husband, Vera stiffeneda flicker Marina didnt catch.
«Speaking of Simon,» Vera said casually, «where is he? Havent heard him about.»
«Fishing with his mates,» Marina waved a hand. «Second time this weekend. Says the trout are biting.»
«Does he go often?» Vera kept her tone light.
«More lately,» Marina sighed. «Work, fishing, corporate dinners… you know how it is in finance this time of year.»
Vera nodded and buried herself in her phone again. The screen glowed: *Changed your mind? Last chance to stop this.*
Her fingers flew: *No. Proceed as planned.*
«Whos that?» Marina peered over her shoulder. «Youve been off all morning.»
Vera flinched, killing the screen. «Just work. Cant even leave me alone on a Saturday.» She forced a smile. «What about the car? Could the scarf be there?»
«The car?» Marina paused. «Right! I wore it when Simon dropped us after the theatre. Probably still there.»
She grabbed her keys.
«Ill come,» Vera blurted. «Need some air.»
Outside, the air smelled of damp leaves. Marina unlocked their Volvo and rummaged through the backseat.
«Odd,» she muttered. «I was sure itd be here.»
Vera chewed her lip, ignoring her buzzing phone.
«Marina,» she said finally, voice strange. «Has Simon seemed… different lately?»
«How so?» Marina turned.
«These trips, the fishing…» Vera held her gaze. «Nothings felt off to you?»
Marina frowned. «What are you getting at? If you know something, say it.»
Vera inhaled sharply. «I thinkno, Im sureSimons cheating on you.»
Marina froze, then laughed. «Simon? With who? Weve been married ten years, Vera. He doesnt even glance at other women.»
«Are you certain?» Veras voice dropped.
Something in her tone made Marinas stomach twist. «Tell me what you know.»
Vera looked away. «Last Friday, after the theatre, Simon didnt go home. I saw his car outside Claires flat. Late. Until morning.»
Marinas knees buckled. «Youre mistaken. He just dropped her off. Claire called me after, thanked me for the evening.»
Vera gripped her shoulder. «His car stayed till eight. I saw him leave. Same clothes.»
Marina shoved her off. «I dont believe you. Why would you lie?»
«Call him,» Vera urged. «Right now. Ask where he is.»
Marina dialed with trembling hands. Voicemail.
«No signal,» she whispered. «Probably the lake.»
«Or hes busy,» Vera said softly. «With Claire.»
«Stop it!» Marinas voice cracked. «Claires my best friend. Shed never»
The words died as she remembered Claire hadnt answered either.
Vera clutched her arm. «Ive seen them together for months. Every time hes fishing.»
Marina leaned against the car, nausea rising.
«Not Claire,» she whispered. «Weve been friends since uni. She knows how much I…»
Vera pulled her close. «Come to mine. You shouldnt be alone.»
Marina shook her head. «I need to see Claire. Now.»
«Are you sure?» Vera looked uneasy. «Maybe calm down first?»
«I *am* calm.» Marinas eyes turned to steel.
Back upstairs, she snatched her bag.
«Im coming,» Vera insisted.
«No.» Marina cut her off. «This is between us.»
Alone, Vera paced. Her phone buzzeda call this time.
«Yes,» she hissed. «Its working. Shes on her way.»
Twenty minutes later, Marina parked outside Claires building. Simons Volvo sat in its usual spot.
Her stomach dropped.
Upstairs, Claire answered the door in a robe, hair wet. «Marina? What?»
«Let me in.»
Claire hesitated, glancing behind her. «Ive got a salon appointment»
«Now.»
Inside, two coffee cups sat on the table. A shirt*Simons* birthday shirtdraped over the sofa.
«Where is he?» Marina demanded.
«Marina, let me explain»
«Explain *what*? His car outside? His shirt on your couch?»
Footsteps. Simon emerged, toweling his hair. He froze.
«Marina»
«Hello, darling.» Her voice was ice. «Catch many fish?»
Claire stepped forward. «It just happened. We never meant to hurt you.»
«You *slept* with my husband!»
Simon reached for her. «We were going to tell you today. Thats why I said I was fishingto talk with Claire first.»
«And?»
«Were in love,» he said simply. «I want a divorce.»
The words hit like a slap.
«Our children,» Marina choked. «Ten years»
«Theyll stay with you,» Simon said quickly. «Ill visit. Well be civil.»
«Civil.» She laughed hollowly.
Claire touched her arm. «I betrayed you, but this is real»
«Shut up.» Marinas whisper cut like glass. «Dont you *dare* speak to me about loyalty.»
She called Vera, who answered instantly.
«You were right,» Marina said. «About everything.»
In the car, she shattered.
When the tears dried, she drove to Veras flat.
«Tell me,» Vera urged, handing her tea.
Marina recounted it all. Vera listened, nodding.
«The oddest part?» Marina said. «I dont feel destroyed. Betrayed, yes. But not broken.»
«Because youre stronger than you think,» Vera murmured. «What now?»
Marina exhaled. «Pack Simons things. Talk to the kids. Then… I dont know.»
Vera hesitated. «Theres more. About Claire.»
She showed a photoClaire embracing another man.
«Her ex,» Vera said. «Last week. When Simon was supposedly with her.»
Marina frowned. «Then where was Simon?»
Veras voice dropped. «With me. Planning your birthday surprise.»
Marinas world tilted. «You *lied*?»
«I had to show you Claires true colors,» Vera pleaded.
The phone rangSimon.
«Marina, where are you?» His voice was urgent.
«At Veras.»
A pause. «Leave. Now.»
«What?»
«Veras dangerous,» Simon said tightly. «She set this upcalled Claire pretending to be you, said wed fought…»
Vera snatched the phone. «Simons lying! Its *Claire*!»
Marina recoiled as they argued.
«Marina,» Simon begged, «come home. Well fix this.»
She stood.
«Dont!» Vera blocked her. «He never loved you like I do. Since uni, Ive waited»
Marinas blood ran cold.
«Goodbye, Vera.»
Outside, autumn air cleared her mind.
Claire called as she drove. «Marina? Simon told me»
«Im coming,» Marina said.
She hung up, watching leaves spiral past.
The masks had fallen. At last, she saw the truth.
