**Revenge**
«Listen, Lizzie, I promised a colleague I’d help him move today.»
«Today?» asked Elizabeth, raising an eyebrow at her husband.
«He just bought a new two-bed flat. His wifes about to have a baby.»
«And last Saturday, you were out ‘christening’ someones new car. All your colleagues seem so successful. Meanwhile, weve got no new car, no big flat. Why is that, James?»
«Dont nag, Liz. I promise, next weekends just us.» James pulled her close, searching her eyes.
«Hard to believe. Every weekend theres some ’emergency.'» She pushed him away lightly.
«Fine. Want me to call and cancel?» he grumbled.
«No. You promisedgo.»
James brightened instantly. «Liz, youre an absolute gem. So, Ill head off then?» He leaned in, but she pressed a hand to his chest.
«Just dont forget your promise for next weekend,» she warned.
***
Theyd all met at universityJames, Elizabeth, and Michael. As often happens, Elizabeth liked James, while Michael fancied her. They attended lectures together, went to the cinema, and the boys walked her home. One evening, Michael confessed.
«Sorry, but its James for me,» Elizabeth admitted honestly.
«Fair enough. Cant help the heart,» Michael sighed.
After that, he stopped sitting with them, avoided walking her home. If they met at a café, hed leave early.
James had a small flat, inherited from his grandfather. The whole group would gather there. Elizabeth visited often but never stayed over, no matter how James pleadeduntil New Years Eve. Soon, they were living together.
Michael rarely visited. Seeing his rivaland friendhappy was too much.
«When are you two getting married?» he asked at their graduation celebration.
«Were good as we are, right, Liz?» James answered for them both.
Elizabeth lowered her eyes and stayed silent.
«Youre wrong. Every girl dreams of a wedding and a white dress. Liz, ditch himmarry me,» Michael blurted.
James shot him a dark look.
«Actually, Ive been meaning to propose.» James pulled out a ring. «Will you marry me?» His gaze pinned her.
Elizabeth flushed with joy. «Yes,» she said, missing Michaels quiet exit.
Two months later, Michael stood as their best man.
«Liz, if he ever hurts you, tell me,» he said at the reception.
«When are *you* getting married?» Elizabeth teased.
«Hes waiting for us to divorce,» James laughed. «Wont happen.» He flashed Michael a triumphant smirk.
«Enough,» Elizabeth cut in. «Lets dance.» She tugged James away.
Three months into their marriage, Michael arrived at Elizabeths birthday with a bouquet of red roses. When guests left, James fumed, accusing her of overreacting to the gift.
«Dont be jealous. I love *you*,» she said.
«Hope so,» James muttered.
Three years passed. They were happy, but fights grew frequentalways over Jamess jealousy. He resented any attention she got, even from strangers. He wanted her pregnant, at home. Elizabeth, though, wanted work experience first.
Lately, James acted oddlyvanishing weekends or sulking if home.
«Michael, is James seeing someone?» Elizabeth asked one day.
«Liz, come onhe adores you,» Michael said, avoiding her eyes.
«Youre a terrible liar,» she scoffed.
***
James was gone again. Elizabeth cleaned until the flat gleamed. A knock interrupted her. Not Jameshe had a key. She opened the door to Michael.
«You? Wheres James?»
«Hes not here?» Michael stepped inside. «Tea?»
They sipped in silence.
«Liz I still fancy you,» Michael said suddenly.
«I thought youd moved on.»
«Just wanted you to know.»
«Theres more.» He gulped his tea. «James thinks youre cheating. He asked me to test you.»
Elizabeth froze. «He *what*?»
«He wanted me to flirt with you. I refused, but»
«So *thats* why youre here?» She stood, livid. «Get out.»
Alone, she seethed. If James doubted her, maybe *he* was guilty.
Days later, she plotted revenge. A flirty coworker, Eve, agreed to ‘seduce’ Jamesjust enough to catch them.
Saturday came. Elizabeth ‘left for a friends,’ leaving James home. She shopped, phone off, but dread grew. This was petty. *Talk, dont play games.*
She rushed backand found James and Eve tangled on the sofa.
«Elizabeth!» James leapt up. Eve smoothed her dress and strolled out.
«Not what it looked like»
«Spare me. Were even now.»
«It was just»
«A test? Like yours?» She packed a bag. «Im staying with my parents.»
James moved his mistress in within a week.
***
New Years Eve. Elizabeth planned to mope aloneuntil Michael arrived with a tiny decorated tree.
«Knew youd be here.»
They drank under the clocks chime.
«Guess my wish,» she said.
«Same as yours,» he smiled.
A year later, they married. Nine months after that, twin girls arrived.
Sometimes revenge clarifies everythinglike a full stop where ones needed.
