**Revenge**
«Listen, Emily, I promised a colleague Id help with their move today,» said Edward, buttoning his coat.
«Today?» Emily raised an eyebrow. «He just bought a new flat, a two-bedder. His wifes about to have a baby.»
«Last Saturday, you were out ‘christening’ someones new car. All your colleagues seem so successful. Meanwhile, weve got neither a new car nor a bigger flat. Why is that, Edward?»
«Dont nag, Em. I promise, next weekend well spend time together.» Edward pulled her close, searching her eyes.
«Ill believe it when I see it. Every weekend, theres some unforeseen excuse.» She stepped back.
«Fine. Want me to call and cancel?» Edward scowled.
«No. You promised, so go.»
His face lit up. «Em, youre an absolute gem. So, Ill be off then?» He leaned in, but Emily pressed a hand to his chest, gently pushing him away.
«Just dont forget your promise for next weekend,» she said.
***
Theyd all met at universityEmily, Edward, and Alfred. As often happens, Emily fancied Edward, while Alfred fancied her. They attended lectures together, went to the cinema, and the lads walked her home. One evening, Alfred confessed his feelings.
«Im sorry, but its Edward I like,» Emily admitted honestly.
«Fair enough. The heart wants what it wants,» Alfred sighed.
After that, Alfred stopped sitting with them in lectures, stopped walking her home. If they went to the pub, hed leave early.
Edward had inherited a modest flat from his grandfather. The whole group often gathered there. Emily visited but never stayed over, no matter how Edward pleaded. But on New Years Eve, she did. Soon after, they moved in together.
Alfred rarely visitedhe couldnt bear seeing his rivals happiness, even if Edward was his friend.
«When are you two tying the knot?» he asked during their graduation celebration.
«Were fine as we are, arent we, Em?» Edward answered for them both.
Emily lowered her gaze, silent.
«Youre wrong. Every girl dreams of a wedding dress. Em, ditch him. Marry me,» Alfred said suddenly.
Edward shot him a dark look.
«Actually, Ive been meaning to propose. Just waiting for the right moment.» Edward pulled a ring from his pocket. «Will you marry me?» he asked, eyes piercing hers.
Emily flushed with joy.
«Of course,» she said, not noticing Alfred rise and leave.
Two months later, Alfred stood as their witness at the wedding.
«Em, if he ever hurts you, tell me,» he said at the reception.
«When are you getting married, then?» Emily asked.
«Hes waiting for us to divorce,» Edward laughed. «Wont happen.» He flashed Alfred a triumphant smirk.
«Enough,» Emily cut in. «Lets dance.» She tugged Edward from the table.
Three months into the marriage, Alfred arrived at Emilys birthday with an extravagant bouquet of red roses. Once the guests left, Edward fumed, accusing her of making too much of the gesture. Everyone had noticed, and it embarrassed him.
«Dont be jealous. I only love you,» Emily said.
«Hope so,» Edward muttered.
Three years passed. They were happy, but quarrels crept inmostly over Edwards jealousy. He resented any attention she received from men, even his own friends. He wanted her to have a baby and stay home.
Emily, though, wanted to work first, gain experience. Lately, Edward had been acting oddlyvanishing every weekend. When home, he was irritable, bored by everything.
«Alf, does Edward have someone else?» she asked Alfred one day.
«Em, he loves you,» Alfred said, avoiding her eyes.
«Youre a terrible liar,» Emily smirked.
***
Now Edward was gone again. Emily sighed and cleaned the flat until it gleamed. As she hung laundry to dry, the doorbell rang. Edward had his keywho was it? She opened the door to Alfred.
«You? Wheres Edward?» she asked bluntly.
«Hes not here?» Alfred stepped inside. «Tea?»
They sat in uneasy silence.
«Em, I still fancy you,» Alfred blurted.
«I thought youd moved on.»
«Just wanted you to know.»
«Theres more,» Alfred said, staring into his cup. «Edward thinks youre cheating. He asked me to flirt with youtest your loyalty.»
Emilys face hardened. «He *what*?»
«I refused at first, but… well, better me than some stranger.»
«So you came here knowing hed be gone?»
«Em, Id never betray you. Thats why Im telling you.»
«Get out.»
Alfred left, and Emily seethed. If Edward could stoop so low, shed repay in kind. A colleague, Evabold and unshackled by scruplesagreed to help.
«Just make it convincing,» Emily said. «A kiss, nothing more.»
Eva smirked. «Your man worth it?»
The plan was set. That Saturday, Emily pretended to babysit for a friend, leaving Edward home. But guilt gnawed at her. Revenge was petty. She rushed backand found Eva and Edward tangled on the sofa.
«Emily!» Edward scrambled up, dishevelled.
Eva smoothed her dress and strolled out, leaving silence.
«Explain,» Emily demanded.
«Its not what»
«Spare me. Were *done*.»
She moved in with her parents. Her father grumbled about wasted savings but offered her a flat. Edward, meanwhile, moved another woman in within weeks.
New Years Eve found Emily alone, until Alfred arrived with a miniature tree.
«Knew youd be here,» he said.
They drank under the chime of Big Ben, laughter replacing bitterness.
A year later, they married. Nine months after that, twin girls arrived. Happiness, when it comes, pours in full measure.
Sometimes revenge does goodclears the air, settles scores.
