**Playing with Fire**
Blimey, Thomas threw his head back, nearly choking on laughter. You actually said it to her face? In front of everyone?
What else was I supposed to do? Edward drummed his fingers on the table, restless. Im married. And she wouldnt back offgot bolder by the day. The whole departments been whispering.
Christ, youre a modest one, arent you? Thomas nudged him with a grin. Most blokes wouldve jumped at the chance, but youve got to play the saint.
Weve got different ideas about loyalty, Edward shot back mildly, though exhaustion flickered in his eyes. At first, it was just hintsI ignored them. Didnt want to make a scene.
And that, mate, was your biggest mistake, Thomas raised a knowing brow. Your silence gave her hope. Made her think she had a shot.
What does she even want from me? Plenty of single blokes around!
For women like her, a wedding rings not a stop signits a challenge, Thomas mused. Proof youre worth having.
Sophie blew into their department like a sudden spring gale. She wasnt classically beautifulsharp features, a low, smoky voicebut when she smiled, the room shifted. HR later admitted theyd nearly turned her down until that smile changed their minds.
At first, Edward genuinely liked her. Her energy and quick wit were a breath of fresh air in their dull office routine. He helped her settle in, shared tipsjust kindness, nothing more. A family man through and through, he saw her as a bright colleague, almost a younger sister.
Then the lines blurred. Sophies jokes turned suggestive, her touches lingering. Edward, an introvert at heart, froze. His usual compass for decency spun wildly. He dodged lunches, kept his distancebut retreat only fuelled her chase.
***
Edward was nearing forty, a man who clung to order like a lifeline. Tall but slightly stooped, as if apologising for his height. Dark hair, neatly trimmed, silver already threading throughheredity and stress. Calm eyes, but beneath them simmered a quiet exhaustion. He wore thin-framed glasses, pushing them up nervously when agitated. His wardrobe was practical: muted shirts, pressed trousers. No flash, no fuss.
He avoided crowds. Office politics, flirtationsit all drained him. Silence, structure, focusthat was his language. Conflict terrified him; hed rather bite his tongue than fight.
Yet inside him stood an unshakable fortress: his family. Emily and the kids werent just part of his lifethey *were* his life. His loyalty wasnt virtueit was as natural as breathing.
Sophie wanted him from day one. He was the only man immune to her charms. Seducing him wasnt just about attentionit was validation. If a good married man fell for her, *she* mattered. And experience told her no perfect family man was ever truly happy.
Two weeks in, she gushed to her friend Lily about Edward. Lily listened, uneasy.
*Another* married one? Sophie, stop. Hes got two kids.
Oh, details! Hes trappedI can see it. That *Emily* doesnt understand him. Shes just his housekeeper. His souls screaming for freedom!
How dyou know? Have you even met her?
I dont need to! Hes so *proper*, so buttoned-up Thats not normal. Theres pain underneath. Ill help him see the truth.
Soph, listen to yourself. You dont want to *help* him. You want him because hes taken. This isnt a gameits his *life*.
You dont get it, Lily. Hes *meant* to be mine. His perfect family? Please. Nothings perfect. Ill prove it.
***
The business trip to Manchester was Edwards nightmare. Guess who volunteered to join?
With clients, Sophie was flawless. Edward almost relaxeduntil the knock at his hotel door that night.
My rooms freezing, she stood there, wrapped in a flimsy robe, silk nightdress peeking through.
His stomach dropped. Panic, thick and sour, clawed his throat. He pictured Emilys facesteady, trusting.
WaitIll get you a blanket, he muttered, turning sharply to the wardrobe. Here.
Sophie pouted but took it.
Youve locked yourself in a cage and thrown away the key, she sighed. Pity. Theres a different man in thereI know it.
He shut the door, forehead pressed against it, pulse roaring. Relief flooded him and an odd, heavy pityfor her, for himself, for this farce.
Back at the office, Sophie seemed to forget him. Edward exhaleduntil she asked for a lift home. He refused.
Do I disgust you?
Youre striking, he said carefully. But I love my wife. Ive got a family
So thats the *only* reason? Her eyes lit with dangerous glee.
No He faltered, scrambling for words, but she vanished. Instantly, he regretted his fumbling. Rightly so.
That night, a sharp nudge woke him. Emilys furious whisper cut through the dark.
Edward, have you lost your *mind*? Whos this woman sending you *photos* at midnight?
He bolted upright. On his phone: Sophie, sprawled in lace lingerie.
Em, its not what you think! Voice cracking, he spilled everythinghis awkwardness, his mistakes.
Emily was silent a long moment. Then a heavy sigh.
You daft sod, she muttered, equal parts anger and affection. Fine. I believe youbecause I know youre not stupid enough to cheat. But *warn* her: if this happens again, Ill march into that office and give everyone a show they wont forget.
Edward nodded into the dark. Next day, he called Sophie into a meeting room. She strode in glowing, expecting surrender.
Sophie, youve crossed a line.
Oh, relax She stepped closer, hand reaching for his cheek.
He recoiled. Her arm hung mid-air.
Whatre you implying?
That your perfect lifes a lie, she purred, venom lacing her tone. From the outside: doting wife, princess daughter, heir son
We *are* happy.
Wake *up*, Edward! She slammed her palms on the table. Your *son* doesnt look a thing like you! Your daughters your twin, but *Daniel*? Nothing!
Ice flooded his veins. Her facetriumphant, twistedkilled his last shred of sympathy.
And I can *prove* it. Smug, she slapped a printout on the desk. Paternity probability: 0%. Handy having friends in labs. Believe me now?
Edward looked up slowly. The anger hed bottled for months surgedcold, clear.
I tolerated your advances. But my *children*? Daniel isnt mine by blood. Thats between me and Emily. But since youre so keen on digging: his parentsEmilys sister and her husbanddied. Hes *ours* now. Happy? Satisfied?
Her confidence crumbled. II didnt know.
Nor do I know how you got this *test*if its even real. Before, I thought you were just lonely. Now? Youre *dangerous*. Resign. If your notice isnt on the directors desk by tonight, Ill go to the police. And if you *ever* come near my kids His quiet voice turned lethal. youll wish it was just the police.
Sophie quit that afternoon. Edward came home early. Found eight-year-old Maisie doing homework, six-year-old Daniel piecing together a puzzle. He hugged them both tighter, breathing in the scent of their hair.
That night, once the kids were asleep, he sat across from Emily.
We have to tell him, Edward said softly. Daniel deserves the truth from *us*not some stranger. Sooner the better.
Emilys eyes wellednot with grief, but relief. Im scared.
Me too. But well do it together.
A week later, they had a small family tea. After cake, Edward knelt before Daniel.
We need to talk about something important. About how much we love you. He met the boys eyes. Remember how we said familys what matters most? And that it comes in all sorts. Daniel Im not your birth dad. Your first mum and dad were Auntie Claire and Uncle Markthey were wonderful, but theyre not here anymore. Mummy and I? Were your parents by the most important choicethe hearts choice.
Daniel blinked, digesting. Then he simply hugged them and asked for more cake.
The storm passed. In the crumbs and quiet chatter, there was no room for Sophieor her delusions. Everything settled, right where it belonged.
**Lesson learned: Silence isnt kindness. Some fires only grow when left uncheckedspeak up before they burn what matters most.**
