**Revenge**
«Listen, Lucy, I promised a colleague I’d help him move today,» said Harry, slipping on his shoes.
«Today?» Lucy raised an eyebrow.
«He just bought a new two-bed flat. His wifes due any day now.»
«Last Saturday, you were ‘celebrating’ someone elses new car. All your colleagues seem to be doing so well. Meanwhile, weve got neither a new car nor a bigger flat. Why is that, Harry?»
«Dont start, Luce. I swear, next weekends all yours.» He pulled her into a hug, but she stiffened.
«Ill believe it when I see it. Every weekend, theres some emergency.»
«Fine, want me to cancel?» Harry scowled.
«No, go. You promised.»
His face lit up. «Youre an angel, Luce. So Ill head off then?» He leaned in for a kiss, but she pressed a hand against his chest.
«Just dont forget your promise by next weekend,» she muttered.
—
Theyd all met at universityLucy, Harry, and James. As usual, Lucy fancied Harry, while James fancied Lucy. They sat together in lectures, went to the cinema, and the boys took turns walking her home. One day, James confessed.
«Sorry, but its Harry for me,» Lucy admitted.
«Cant force the heart,» James sighed.
After that, he stopped sitting with them, stopped walking her home. If they went to a pub, hed leave early.
Harry had a small flat inherited from his granddad, and the group often gathered there. Lucy visited but never stayed over, no matter how much Harry begged. But one New Years Eve, she did. Soon, they moved in together.
James rarely visited, unable to stomach his friends happiness.
«Whens the wedding?» he asked at their graduation celebration.
«Were fine as we are, right, Luce?» Harry answered for both of them.
Lucy looked down, silent.
«Youre wrong. Every girl dreams of a wedding. Lucy, dump him, marry me,» James blurted.
Harrys expression darkened.
«Actually, Ive been meaning to propose.» He pulled out a ring. «Will you marry me?»
Lucy blushed. «Yes!» She didnt notice James slip away.
Two months later, James stood as their best man.
«Lu, if he ever hurts you, tell me,» he said at the reception.
«Planning to marry anyone?» Lucy teased.
«Hes waiting for our divorce,» Harry laughed. «Keep dreaming.»
«Enough,» Lucy cut in, dragging Harry to dance.
Three months later, James arrived at Lucys birthday with crimson roses. When guests left, Harry fumed, accusing her of overreacting.
«Dont be jealous. I love only you,» Lucy said.
«Sure,» Harry muttered.
Years passed, but Harrys jealousy festered. He wanted Lucy homebound with a baby, but she wanted to work first. Lately, hed been sneaking off weekends, irritable when home.
«James, is Harry cheating?» Lucy asked bluntly one day.
«Lu, he loves you,» James said, avoiding her gaze.
«Youre a terrible liar.»
—
Harry left again. Lucy cleaned furiously until the doorbell rang. Not Harryhe had a key.
«James? Wheres Harry?»
«Hes not here?» James stepped inside. «Tea?»
Silence stretched.
«Lu I still fancy you.»
«James, I thought youd moved on.»
«Just wanted you to know.»
«Theres more. Harry thinks youre cheating.»
Lucy scoffed. «Let me guesshe asked you to flirt with me?»
James flushed. «I refused, but he wouldnt drop it. I came clean instead.»
«You *knew* hed be gone? This is low, even for him. Or is *he* the one cheating?»
«I dont know.» James stood, sweating. «You should go.»
«Call me if you need me.»
«Just *leave*.»
Fury coiled in Lucys chest. If Harry wanted a test, shed give him one. At work was Evebold, free-spirited. Lucy laid out her plan over coffee.
«You sure?» Eve smirked.
«I just need to catch you two close enough.»
Saturday came. «A friend needs babysitting,» Lucy lied, leaving Harry home.
But guilt gnawed at her. Revenge was petty. She rushed backto find Harry and Eve tangled on the sofa.
«Lucy!» Harry scrambled up.
«Expecting someone else?»
Eve sauntered out, unfazed.
«Lu, it wasnt»
«Save it. Were done.»
She fled to her parents. «Were divorcing.»
Her dad gruffly offered a flat deposit. «Just listen for once.»
By New Years, Harry had moved on. Lucy prepared for a lonely nightuntil James arrived with a miniature tree.
«Knew youd be alone.»
They drank under fairy lights, laughing. A year later, they married. Nine months after that, twin girls arrived.
Sometimes revenge sets things right.
