«Your husband is mine now,» whispered the friend through the phone.
«Have you seen my blue scarf? The one with the fringe, the one Oliver brought back from France?» Emily rummaged through the wardrobe, tossing clothes onto the bed. «I cant find it anywhere.»
«Check the hallway, maybe its there,» Sophie murmured absently, eyes still glued to her phone.
«Ive looked everywhereits vanished,» Emily snapped the wardrobe shut in frustration. «Im supposed to meet Charlotte for her anniversary party, wanted to wear it with my new coat.»
Sophie finally tore her gaze from the screen and studied her friend. Even disheveled in an old t-shirt and jeans, Emily was strikingchestnut waves tumbling over her shoulders, gold flecks shimmering in her green eyes.
«Maybe you left it at Amelias last Friday? You went to the theatre together,» Sophie suggested, rising from the sofa.
«Thats it!» Emily brightened. «Completely forgot. Ill call her now.»
As Emily searched for her phone, Sophie wandered to the window. From the fifth floor, the quiet courtyard stretched below, where a caretaker swept fallen leaves with slow, melancholic strokes. Autumn had settled firmly over London, painting the city in gold and russet.
«Amelias not picking up,» Emily sighed, joining Sophie by the window. «Thats oddwe were supposed to meet before Charlottes party.»
«Shes probably busy,» Sophie shrugged, staring at her phone where a new message flashed. «You know Ameliaalways dashing between shops last minute.»
Emily laughed. «True. Remember how she nearly missed my wedding? Oliver was convinced the maid of honour wouldnt show.»
At the mention of her husband, Sophie stiffened imperceptiblybut Emily didnt notice, lost in memory.
«Wheres Oliver, by the way?» Sophie asked casually. «Havent heard him around.»
«Fishing with his colleagues,» Emily waved a hand dismissively. «Second weekend in a row. Says the bites perfect this time of year.»
«How often does he go lately?» Sophie kept her voice carefully neutral.
«Quite a bit recently,» Emily sighed. «Work, fishing, corporate events You know how autumn is for finance types.»
Sophie nodded and retreated into her phone. The message on the screen read: «Changed your mind? Last chance to stop this.»
She typed a swift reply: «No. Proceed as planned.»
«Whore you texting?» Emily peered over her shoulder. «Youve been off all day.»
Sophie startled, quickly locking the screen.
«Just workthey never leave me alone, even on Saturdays,» she forced a smile. «Maybe the scarfs in the car?»
«In the car?» Emily frowned. «Ohright! I was wearing it when Oliver drove us back from the theatre. Probably still there.»
She grabbed her keys and headed for the door.
«Ill come with you,» Sophie offered abruptly. «Need some air.»
Outside, the crisp scent of decaying leaves hung in the air. Emily unlocked the family BMW and searched the back seat.
«Strange,» she muttered, straightening. «I couldve sworn it was here.»
Sophie watched, biting her lip. Her phone buzzed again, but she ignored it.
«Em,» she finally said, voice oddly strained. «Dont you think Olivers been different lately?»
«How so?» Emily shut the car door, turning to face her.
«All these trips, the fishing» Sophies gaze was unflinching. «Havent you noticed anything off?»
Emilys brow furrowed.
«What are you saying, Soph? If you know something, just say it.»
Sophie took a deep breath, as if bracing herself.
«Ive been meaning to talk to you. I thinkno, Im sure Olivers cheating on you.»
Emily froze, eyes widening. Then she burst into laughter.
«Oliver? With who? Weve been together ten years, two kidshe doesnt even glance at other women.»
«Are you certain?» Sophies voice was barely above a whisper.
Something in her tone made Emily tense.
«Sophie, what do you know? Tell me.»
Sophie looked away.
«Remember last Friday? You and Amelia went to the theatre, Oliver drove you?»
«Yes. And?»
«He didnt go straight home,» Sophie spoke slowly, choosing each word. «I saw his car outside Amelias. Late. Very late.»
The world tilted under Emilys feet.
«Youre mistaken,» she shook her head. «Oliver just dropped her off and left. She called me herself, thanked me for the evening.»
«Emily,» Sophie gripped her shoulder. «His car stayed there. All night. I saw him leave her building at eight in the morning. In yesterdays clothes.»
Emily shoved her hand away.
«No. Youre lying. Why would youOliver said he stayed at his parents because he was working late. He wouldnt»
«Call him,» Sophie challenged. «Right now. Ask where he is.»
Hands trembling, Emily dialled. The line rang endlessly before voicemail clicked on.
«No answer,» she stared at the screen. «Probably no signal at the lake.»
«Or hes busy,» Sophie said meaningfully. «With Amelia.»
«Stop it!» Emilys voice cracked. «Amelias my friendshed never»
The words died in her throat as she remembered Amelia hadnt answered either.
«I didnt want to tell you,» Sophie continued. «But Ive seen them together more than once. Every time Olivers fishing or at work events.»
Emily leaned against the car, nausea rising.
«No,» she whispered. «Not Amelia. Weve been friends since uni. She knows how much I love him»
Sophie pulled her into an embrace.
«Come to mine,» she urged. «You shouldnt be alone right now. Well figure this out.»
Emily shook her head.
«I need to talk to Amelia. Face to face. Now.»
«Are you sure?» Sophie looked uneasy. «Maybe calm down first?»
«I am calm,» Emily straightened, steel in her eyes. «I just want the truth from her.»
Upstairs, Emily snatched her car keys, jaw set.
«Im coming,» Sophie insisted.
«No,» Emily cut her off. «This is between me and Amelia. Ill call you later.»
Alone, Sophie paced. Her phone buzzeda call this time.
«Yes,» she answered low. «Its working. Shes on her way to her.»
Twenty minutes later, Emily parked outside Amelias flat. Her pulse roared in her ears. She didnt want to believe Sophiebut doubt had already taken root, poisoning everything.
Olivers BMW sat parked outside, exactly where shed seen it countless times before.
«Sophie was right,» the realisation burned.
The fourth-floor door opened after a long pause. Amelia stood thererobe-clad, hair damp.
«Emily?» she blinked. «What are you?»
«Can I come in?» Emilys voice was ice.
Amelia hesitated, glancing behind her.
«I was just heading outhair appointment»
«Let me in, Amelia,» Emily stepped forward. «Or should I call Oliver? I saw his car.»
Amelia paled, wordlessly stepping aside.
The living room was emptybut two coffee cups sat on the table, a familiar shirt draped over the sofa. The one shed bought Oliver for his birthday.
«Where is he?» Emily turned on her.
«Emily, I can explain,» Amelia twisted her robe tie. «Its not what you think»
«Not what I think?» Emily let out a bitter laugh. «Then what am I supposed to think when my husbands car is here, his shirts on your sofa, and hes supposedly fishing?»
The bathroom door opened. Oliver stepped out, towel-drying his hair. He froze.
«Emily»
«Hello, darling,» Emily crossed her arms. «Catch anything?»
Olivers gaze darted between her and Amelia.
«Emily, listen»
«No, you listen,» Emilys voice trembled, tears clawing at her throat. «How long? And who else knew?»
They exchanged glances.
«Two months,» Amelia whispered. «It just happened, Em. We never wanted to hurt you.»
«Just happened?» Emilys laugh was jagged. «How does sleeping with your best friends husband just happen?»
«Emily,» Oliver stepped forward. «We were going to tell you. Today. Thats why I said I was fishingto talk to Amelia, figure out how»
«And what did you figure?» Emily felt numb.
«Were in love,» he said simply. «I want a divorce.»
The words hit harder than any slap. Emily staggered, gripping a chair.
«In love,» she echoed. «What about our children? Our ten years?»
«Kids stay with you, of course,» Oliver said quickly. «Ill visit, pay supportwell keep it civil.»
«Civil,» Emily repeated. «So youve planned everything.»
«Emily,» Amelia reached for her. «I know I betrayed you. But this is real»
«Shut up,» Emily hissed. «Dont you dare talk to me about real. About friendship. About anything. Ever again.»
She turned to Oliver.
«You took everything. Not just youmy best friend. My trust. My faith in people.»
She dialled a number.
«Sophie?» her voice was hollow. «You were right. Completely right.»
In the car, Emily finally broke. Everything shed held back poured outgreat, heaving sobs. When the tears dried, she wiped her face and started the engine. Missed calls from Oliver. None from Amelia. But one text from Sophie: «Come to mine. Dont be alone.»
Sophies embrace was immediate. Her flat had always felt like a sanctuarynow more than ever.
«Tell me,» Sophie guided her to the sofa, pressing tea into her hands. «What happened?»
Emily recounted it allOlivers confession, Amelias betrayal. Sophie listened, nodding, shaking her head.
«You know whats strange?» Emily finished. «I dont feel destroyed. Betrayed? Yes. But not broken. Maybe maybe part of me always knew?»
«Or youre stronger than you think,» Sophie squeezed her hand. «What now?»
«I dont know,» Emily admitted. «Pack Olivers things. Talk to the kids when theyre back from Mums. Then figure it out.»
Sophie hesitated.
«Emily theres something else. About Oliver and Amelia.»
«What now?» Emily sighed. «Could this get worse?»
Sophie chewed her lip.
«Remember last year? When you nearly split over that colleague of his?»
«Vaguely. Whats your point?»
«Amelia was so supportive,» Sophie continued. «Said Oliver wasnt worth your tears, that you deserved better.»
«And?»
«At the same time, she started texting him,» Sophie met her gaze. «Calling him. Offering to help save your marriage.»
«How do you know?» Emilys anger reignited.
«From Oliver,» Sophie said simply. «He told me because he didnt know what to do. He rejected her. Said he loved only you.»
«But caved eventually,» Emilys smile was bitter. «How ironic.»
Sophie shook her head.
«Its not that. Amelias not what she seems. For years, shes wanted what you have. First the job at the firmremember how she joined your department? Then the same car. A house in your neighbourhood. And nowyour husband.»
Emily struggled to process it.
«Youre saying this was planned? All along?»
«I dont know,» Sophie shrugged. «But the patterns there. And Emily theres more.»
She showed a photoAmelia entwined with a man who wasnt Oliver.
«Whos that?» Emily frowned.
«Her ex,» Sophie said. «They met last week. The night Oliver was supposedly with her.»
«I dont understand,» Emilys head spun. «If she was with him, where was Oliver?»
Sophie took a breath.
«He was with me,» she admitted softly. «At a café, planning your birthday surprise.»
«What?» Emily gaped. «But you said»
«I lied,» Sophie looked down. «Im sorry. I had to show you Amelias true colours. Shes playing you both.»
«But why?» Emily was lost. «Why this elaborate lie?»
«So youd see for yourself,» Sophie gripped her hand. «So youd believe me when I warned you about her.»
«Wait,» Emily pulled back. «So Oliver didnt cheat? Theyre not leaving me?»
«He hasnt betrayed you,» Sophie confirmed. «But Amelia wants him. And today»
«Today I walked in and accused them,» Emily covered her face. «God, what have I done? I need to call Oliver»
«Wait,» Sophie held her back. «Think. If they were together when you arrived, if they confessed maybe its not so simple? Maybe Im wrong, and they really»
Emilys phone rang. Olivers name flashed.
«I have to answer,» she stood.
«Of course,» Sophie smiled oddly. «Put it on speaker. I want the truth too.»
Emily accepted the call.
«Emily?» Olivers voice was tense. «Where are you? Ive been worried.»
«At Sophies,» she watched Sophies reaction.
A pause.
«Sophies?» Olivers tone shifted. «Emily, listen carefully. Get out of there. Now.»
«Why?»
«Because Sophies not who you think,» he spoke fast. «She staged this. Called Amelia, pretended to be you, said wed fought and I was coming over»
Emily turned slowly. Sophies smile had vanished.
«Oliver, what rubbish!» Sophie snapped toward the phone. «Amelias the one having an affair!»
«Sophie?» Olivers voice hardened. «So youre there. Emily, listen. Sophies been obsessed with me for months. I rejected her, and now shes destroying us.»
«Hes lying!» Sophie cried. «Ask him where he was this morning!»
«At Amelias,» Oliver said calmly. «Because Sophie called her as you, claiming an emergency. When I arrived, there was none. Amelia was horrified. Weve been trying to reach youyour phone was off.»
Emilys vision swam. Sophie had gone pale.
«Hes making it up,» Sophie whispered. «Dont believe him.»
«Then why did you say you saw Olivers car at Amelias last night?» Emily demanded. «Why claim theyve been seeing each other for months?»
«Because its true!» Sophies desperation was raw. «I was protecting you!»
«Emily,» Olivers voice was steady. «Come home. Or to meIm still at Amelias. Well sort this out together.»
«Dont you dare!» Sophie grabbed Emilys arm. «Theyre twisting this against me! You saw themthey admitted it!»
«Sophie, let go,» Emily wrenched free. «Im going to my husband.»
She moved toward the door, but Sophie blocked her.
«You dont understand,» Sophies voice broke. «Hes never loved you like you deserve. We couldve»
«We?» Emily recoiled. «What are you talking about?»
«Us,» Sophie said simply. «Ive loved you since uni. But you chose Oliver. Then Amelia with her perfect little life»
The floor seemed to drop beneath Emily. She lifted the phone.
«Oliver, Im coming. Be there in twenty.»
«Ill meet you downstairs,» relief flooded his voice.
«Emily, please,» Sophie reached for her. «We can talk. I just wanted you to seethey dont deserve you»
«Goodbye, Sophie,» Emily stepped around her and left.
Outside, the autumn air was sharp, the world unnervingly vivid. Yet beneath the shock, clarity settledlike fog lifting, revealing ugly truths long obscured.
The phone rang again. Amelia this time.
«Emily? Its me,» her voice was shaky. «Are you okay? Oliver said you were with Sophie»
«Not anymore,» Emily said. «Im coming to you.»
«Thank God,» Amelia exhaled. «Weve been terrified. Sophie called me this morning, said such strange things That your husband was hers now»
«I know,» Emily cut in. «Well talk face to face.»
She hung up, started the car. Leaves swirled against the windshield as she pulled away. Autumn had stripped everything bareeven the masks people wore.
