Your husband belongs to me now,» whispered the friend into the phone.
«Have you seen my blue scarf? The one with the fringe that Steven brought back from Italy?» Marina tore through the wardrobe, tossing clothes onto the bed. «I can’t find it anywhere.»
«Check the hallway, maybe it’s there,» Vera replied absently, not looking up from her phone.
«Ive looked everywhereits vanished,» Marina huffed, slamming the door shut. «I was going to wear it with my new coat for Natashas anniversary party.»
Vera finally glanced up, studying her friend. Marina was beautiful even nowdishevelled, in a faded T-shirt and jeans, her chestnut hair tumbling over her shoulders, golden flecks dancing in her green eyes.
«Maybe you left it at Ericas last Friday? You went to the theatre together,» Vera suggested, rising from the sofa.
«Oh, right!» Marina brightened. «Completely forgot. Ill call her now.»
As Marina searched for her phone, Vera drifted to the window. From the fifth floor, the quiet courtyard stretched below, where a groundskeeper raked fallen leaves. Autumn had painted London in gold and crimson.
«Ericas not answering,» Marina sighed, joining Vera by the window. «We were supposed to meet before Natashas party.»
«Maybe shes busy,» Vera shrugged, eyes fixed on her phone screen as a new message flashed. «You know Ericaalways dashing about last minute.»
Marina laughed. «True. Remember how she barely made it to my wedding? Steven nearly thought his best man had bailed.»
At the mention of her husband, Vera tensedjust slightlybut Marina didnt notice, lost in memory.
«Speaking of, wheres Steven? Havent heard him around,» Vera asked casually.
«Fishing with his colleagues,» Marina waved a hand. «Second weekend in a row. Says the bites perfect this time of year.»
«Hes been going often?» Vera kept her tone light.
«Lately, yes.» Marina sighed. «Work, fishing, corporate events You know how it isautumns the busiest season for finance.»
Vera nodded and buried herself back in her phone. The message glowed: «Changed your mind? Last chance to stop this.»
Her fingers flew: «No. Proceed as planned.»
«Whos that?» Marina peered over her shoulder. «Youve been off all day.»
Vera flinched, quickly locking the screen. «Just work. They never leave me alone, even on Saturdays.» She forced a smile. «Maybe the scarfs in the car?»
«The car?» Marina paused. «Oh! I wore it when Steven drove Erica and me back from the theatre. Must still be there.»
She grabbed her keys. «Ill come with you,» Vera blurted. «Need some air.»
Outside, the crisp scent of damp leaves filled the air. Marina unlocked their family Volvo and rummaged through the back seat.
«Odd,» she muttered, straightening. «I couldve sworn it was here.»
Vera chewed her lip, watching. Her phone buzzed againshe ignored it.
«Marina,» she said at last, her voice strange. «Hasnt Steven been different lately?»
«How so?» Marina turned.
«All these trips, the fishing» Vera held her gaze. «Nothing seems off to you?»
Marina frowned. «What are you getting at? If you know something, say it.»
Vera took a deep breath. «I didnt want to tell you like this. But I thinkno, Im sureStevens cheating.»
Marina froze. Then she laughed. «Steven? With who? Weve been married ten years, Vera. He doesnt even glance at other women.»
«Youre certain?» Veras quiet tone sent a chill down Marinas spine.
«What do you know? Tell me.»
Vera hesitated. «Last Friday, after the theatre his car was parked outside Ericas. Late. I saw him leave at dawn.»
Marinas legs buckled. «Youre wrong. He just dropped her off. She called to thank me.»
«Marina.» Vera gripped her shoulder. «His car stayed till morning. I saw him walk out at eight. Same clothes.»
Marina shoved her away. «I dont believe you. Why would you lie? Steven said he stayed at his parents»
«Call him. Right now. Ask where he is.»
Hands trembling, Marina dialled. The line rang endlessly.
«No answer,» she whispered. «Probably no signal on the lake.»
«Or hes busy,» Vera murmured. «With Erica.»
«Stop it!» Marina snapped. «Ericas my best friend. Shed never»
The words died as she remembered: Erica hadnt picked up either.
«I didnt want to say it,» Vera continued. «But theyve been seeing each other for months. Every time hes fishing or at work events.»
Marina leaned against the car, nausea rising. «Not Erica. Weve been friends since uni. She knows how much I love him»
Vera pulled her close. «Come to mine. You shouldnt be alone.»
Marina shook her head. «No. I need to talk to Erica. Now.»
«Are you sure?» Vera looked uneasy. «At least calm down first.»
«I am calm.» Marinas voice steeled. «I want the truth from her.»
Back inside, Marina snatched her bag. «Im driving myself,» she said when Vera moved to follow. «This is between us.»
Alone, Vera paced. Her phone buzzeda call this time.
«Yes,» she answered low. «Its working. Shes on her way to Ericas.»
Twenty minutes later, Marina parked outside Ericas flat. Her pulse roared in her ears. She didnt want to believe Verabut doubt had already poisoned her.
Then she saw it: Stevens Volvo, parked where it always was when they visited.
«Vera was right,» she thought, the truth burning through her.
She took the stairs two at a time. Erica answered the door in a robe, hair damp.
«Marina?» She paled. «What?»
«Let me in,» Marina said coldly.
Erica glanced behind her. «I was just leaving»
«Now, Erica.»
With a shaky breath, Erica stepped aside.
The living room held two coffee cups. A familiar shirtthe one shed bought Steven last birthdaydraped over the sofa.
«Where is he?» Marina demanded.
«Marina, I can explain»
«Explain what?» Marinas laugh cracked. «His car outside, his shirt on your couch? Hes supposed to be fishing!»
A door creaked. Steven emerged, towel in hand. He froze.
«Marina?»
«Hello, darling,» she seethed. «Catch anything?»
He looked between them. «Its not what you»
«Spare me.» Marinas voice shook. «How long?»
They exchanged a glance.
«Two months,» Erica whispered. «It just happened. We never meant»
«You accidentally slept with my husband?» Marinas vision blurred.
Steven stepped forward. «We were going to tell you today. Thats why I said I was fishingto talk to Erica first.»
«And?»
«Were in love,» he said simply. «I want a divorce.»
The words struck harder than any slap.
«Love?» Marina choked. «What about our children? Our ten years?»
«Theyll stay with you,» he said quickly. «Ill visit. Itll be civil.»
«Civil.» She turned to Erica. «And you. My best friend.»
Erica reached for her. «I never wanted to hurt you»
«Dont.» Marina stepped back. «Never speak to me again.»
She called Vera. «You were right. Completely right.»
In the car, she shattered. Sobs wracked her body until her ribs ached.
Her phone showed missed calls from Stevennone from Erica. Only Veras text: «Come over. Dont be alone.»
Vera held her tight. Tea steamed between them as Marina recounted everything.
«The strangest part?» Marina wiped her eyes. «I dont feel destroyed. Betrayed, yes. But not broken.»
«Because youre stronger than you think,» Vera said softly. «What now?»
«Pack his things. Tell the kids when theyre back from Mums.» She exhaled. «Then I dont know.»
Vera hesitated. «Theres something else. About Erica.»
She revealed how Erica had pursued Steven during their rough patch last yearhow shed played the supportive friend while secretly pushing him. Then showed a photo: Erica with an ex, taken the night Steven supposedly stayed over.
«If she was with him,» Marina frowned, «where was Steven?»
Veras voice dropped. «With me. Planning your birthday surprise.»
Marina recoiled. «You lied?»
«I had to make you see Erica for who she is.»
The phone rangSteven.
«Marina, where are you?» His voice was urgent.
«At Veras.»
«Leave. Now. Veras the one manipulating this. She called Erica pretending to be youtold her wed fought so Id stay over!»
Vera lunged for the phone. «Hes lying! Its Erica who»
«Vera?» Stevens tone hardened. «Marina, listen. Shes been obsessed with me for months. When I rejected her, she targeted us.»
Marina stood, backing away as Vera blocked the door.
«Dont go,» she pleaded. «He never loved you like I do. Since uni, Ive»
«Us?» Marinas blood ran cold.
Veras eyes gleamed. «You chose him. Then Erica with her perfect life But its always been you.»
Marina wrenched free. «Goodbye, Vera.»
Outside, the autumn air cleared her mind. The fog had liftedshe saw the truth at last.
Stevens call came again. «Well figure this out together.»
Erica rang next. «Vera called this morningshe said horrible things. That your husband was hers now»
«I know,» Marina cut in. «Im on my way.»
She drove through the swirling leaves, Londons skyline sharp against the grey. Autumn stripped everything bareeven the lies between friends.
