«Your husband is mine now,» whispered her friend over the phone.
«Have you seen my blue scarf? The one with the fringe that Steven brought back from Italy?» Emily rummaged through the wardrobe, tossing clothes onto the bed. «I cant find it anywhere.»
«Check the hallway, maybe its there,» Victoria replied absently, not looking up from her phone.
«Ive looked everywhere. Its vanished,» Emily sighed, slamming the wardrobe shut. «Im meeting Charlotte for her anniversary party and wanted to wear it with my new coat.»
Victoria finally glanced up and studied her friend. Even dishevelled in a t-shirt and jeans, Emily was lovelychestnut waves cascading over her shoulders, green eyes flecked with gold.
«Maybe you left it at Isabelles last Friday? You went to the theatre together,» Victoria suggested, rising from the sofa.
«Thats right!» Emilys face brightened. «I completely forgot. Ill call her now.»
As Emily searched for her phone, Victoria walked to the window. From the fifth floor, she watched the quiet courtyard below, where a groundskeeper lazily swept fallen leaves. Autumn had fully settled, painting London in gold and crimson.
«Isabelle isnt answering,» Emily said, joining her at the window. «Thats oddwe were supposed to meet before Charlottes party.»
«Maybe shes busy,» Victoria shrugged, eyes fixed on her phone as a new message flashed. «You know Isabellealways dashing between shops at the last minute.»
Emily laughed. «True. Remember how she showed up five minutes before my wedding? Steven nearly thought his best man wouldnt make it.»
At the mention of her husband, Victoria tensed slightly, but Emily didnt notice, lost in the memory.
«Speaking of, wheres Steven? Havent heard from him,» Victoria asked casually.
«Fishing with his mates,» Emily waved a hand. «Second weekend in a row. Says the trout are biting.»
«Does he go often?» Victoria kept her tone light.
«Lately, yes,» Emily sighed. «Work, fishing, corporate events… You know how it isautumns always busy for accountants.»
Victoria nodded and returned to her phone. The screen glowed with a message: *»Changed your mind? Last chance to stop this.»*
She typed quickly: *»No. Proceed as planned.»*
«Whore you texting?» Emily peered over her shoulder. «Youve been off all day.»
Victoria flinched and shut off the screen. «Just work. They never leave me alone, even on weekends.» She forced a smile. «Maybe the scarfs in the car?»
«The car?» Emily paused. «Right! I wore it when Steven dropped us off after the theatre. Must still be there.»
She snatched her keys and headed for the door.
«Ill come with you,» Victoria offered suddenly. «Need some air.»
Outside, the crisp scent of damp leaves filled the air. Emily unlocked their family Toyota and searched the back seat.
«Strange,» she muttered, straightening up. «I was sure itd be here.»
Victoria watched her, biting her lip. Her phone buzzed again, but she ignored it.
«Emily,» she finally said, her voice odd. «Dont you think Stevens been different lately?»
«How so?» Emily turned to her.
«Always away, fishing… You havent noticed anything suspicious?»
Emily frowned. «Whatre you getting at? If you know something, say it.»
Victoria took a deep breath. «Ive wanted to talk to you. I thinkno, Im sure Stevens cheating on you.»
Emily froze, eyes wide. Then she burst into laughter.
«Steven? With whom? Weve been together ten years, have two children. He doesnt even glance at other women.»
«Are you certain?» Victorias voice was quiet.
Something in her tone made Emily stiffen.
«Victoria, what do you know? Tell me.»
Victoria looked away.
«Remember last Friday, when you and Isabelle went to the theatre? Steven drove you?»
«Yes. And?»
«He didnt go straight home,» Victoria spoke slowly. «I saw his car at Isabelles. Late that night.»
Emilys stomach dropped.
«Youre wrong,» she shook her head. «Steven just dropped her off. She called me afterward to thank me for the evening.»
«Emily,» Victoria touched her shoulder. «His car stayed until morning. I saw him leave her flat at eight. Same clothes.»
Emily shoved her hand away.
«I dont believe you. Why would you lie? Steven said he stayed at his parents because he was out late. He wouldnt»
«Call him,» Victoria cut in. «Right now. Ask where he is.»
Hesitating, Emily dialled. After several rings, voicemail answered.
«Hes not picking up,» she said, staring at the screen. «Probably no signal on the lake.»
«Or hes busy,» Victoria said meaningfully. «With Isabelle.»
«Stop it!» Emilys voice rose. «Isabelles my friend. Shed never»
She choked on her words, remembering Isabelle hadnt answered either.
«I didnt want to say this,» Victoria continued. «But Ive seen them together more than once. Theyve been meeting for months. Every time Steven claimed to be fishing or at a work event.»
Emily leaned against the car, nausea rising.
«No,» she whispered. «Not Isabelle. Weve been friends since uni. She knows how much I love Steven…»
Victoria hugged her.
«Come to mine,» she urged. «You shouldnt be alone right now. Well figure this out.»
Emily shook her head.
«No. I need to talk to Isabelle. Face to face. Now.»
«You sure?» Victoria looked uneasy. «Shouldnt you calm down first?»
«I am calm,» Emily straightened, steel in her eyes. «I just want the truth from her.»
They returned upstairs in silence. Emily grabbed her keys and bag, determination in her steps.
«Im coming with you,» Victoria said.
«No,» Emily snapped. «This is between me and Isabelle. Ill call you later.»
Alone, Victoria paced. Her phone buzzeda call this time.
«Yes,» she answered quietly. «Its working. Shes gone to her.»
Twenty minutes later, Emily parked outside Isabelles building. Her heart pounded. She didnt want to believe Victoria, but doubt had already poisoned her thoughts.
By the entrance, she spotted Stevens Toyota Camry, exactly where shed seen it countless times before.
*»Victoria was right,»* the realisation burned.
Emily took the lift to the fourth floor and rang the bell. The door opened after a pause. Isabelle stood therein a robe, hair damp from the shower.
«Emily?» She looked stunned. «Whatre you doing here?»
«Can I come in?» Emilys voice was icy.
Isabelle glanced behind her. «I was about to leaveIve got a salon appointment.»
«Let me in, Isabelle,» Emilys tone sharpened. «Or should I call Steven? I saw his car.»
Isabelles face changed. Silently, she stepped aside.
The living room was emptybut two half-drunk coffees sat on the table, and Stevens shirt, the one shed bought him for his birthday, lay on the sofa.
«Where is he?» Emily turned to Isabelle.
«Emily, I can explain,» Isabelle twisted her robe belt. «Its not what you think.»
«Not what I think?» Emily gave a bitter laugh. «Then what should I think, when my husbands car is here, his shirts on your sofa, and hes supposedly fishing?»
Just then, Steven stepped out of the bathroom, towelling his hair. Seeing Emily, he froze.
«Emily?»
«Hello, darling,» Emily crossed her arms. «Catch anything?»
Stevens gaze darted between his wife and Isabelle.
«Emily, listen»
«No, you listen,» Emilys voice trembled. «How long has this been going on? Who else knows?»
Steven and Isabelle exchanged glances.
«Two months,» Isabelle admitted quietly. «It just happened, Emily. We never meant to hurt you.»
«*Just happened?*» Emilys laugh broke. «You accidentally slept with my best friends husband?»
«Emily,» Steven stepped forward. «We were going to tell you. Today. Thats why I said I was fishingto talk to Isabelle and sort this out.»
«And what did you decide?» Emilys insides turned to ice.
«Were in love,» Steven said simply. «I want a divorce.»
The words hit harder than a slap. Emily staggered, gripping a chair.
«In love,» she whispered. «What about our children? Our ten years together?»
«The kids stay with you, of course,» Steven said quickly. «Ill help financially, visit them. Well keep it civil.»
«Civil,» Emily echoed. «So youve planned it all.»
«Emily,» Isabelle reached for her. «I betrayed you. But this is real. We couldnt fight it.»
«Shut up,» Emily said softly, clearly. «Dont you dare speak to me about love. Or friendship. Ever again.»
She turned to Steven.
«And you… youve taken everything. Not just yourselfmy best friend, my trust, my faith in people.»
Emily pulled out her phone and dialled.
«Victoria?» she said when the call connected. «You were right. Completely right.»
Leaving Isabelles flat, Emily collapsed into her car and sobbed. All the emotions shed held back burst outugly, childlike weeping.
When the tears dried, she wiped her face and started the engine. Her phone showed missed calls from Stevennone from Isabelle. But there was a text from Victoria: *»Come to mine. Dont be alone.»*
Victoria greeted her with open arms. Her flat had always felt like a safe haven, and tonight, that warmth was a lifeline.
«Tell me everything,» Victoria said, handing her tea.
Emily recounted the confrontation. Victoria listened intently, nodding at times.
«You know whats strange?» Emily finished. «I dont feel destroyed. Betrayed, yes. But not broken. Maybe… part of me suspected?»
«Or youre stronger than you think,» Victoria said gently. «What now?»
«I dont know,» Emily admitted. «Pack Stevens things. Talk to the kids when theyre back from Mums. Then… well see.»
Victoria suddenly took her hand.
«Emily, theres something else. About Steven and Isabelle.»
«What more?» Emily sighed. «Could it get worse?»
Victoria hesitated.
«Remember last year, when you nearly split over that colleague of his? Isabelle supported you, said Steven wasnt worth your tears.»
«And?» Emily tensed.
«She was texting him at the same time,» Victoria said. «Offering to help save your marriage.»
«How do you know?» Emilys anger reignited.
«From Steven,» Victoria said simply. «He told me because he didnt know what to do. He rejected her back then. Said he loved only you.»
«But eventually gave in,» Emily scoffed bitterly.
Victoria shook her head.
«Its not that. Isabelles not who she seems. Shes spent years coveting what you haveyour job, your car, your neighbourhood. And finally, your husband.»
Emily tried to process this.
«Youre saying she planned it?»
«I dont know,» Victoria shrugged. «But the patterns there. And Emily…» She pulled out her phone, showing a photo of Isabelle embracing a man who wasnt Steven.
«Her ex,» Victoria explained. «They met last weekwhen Steven was supposedly with her.»
Emily frowned. «Then where was Steven?»
Victoria took a breath.
«He was with me,» she said quietly. «We were planning your birthday surprise.»
«What?» Emily stared. «But you said»
«I lied,» Victoria met her eyes. «Forgive me. I needed you to see Isabelle for what she is. Shes playing you both.»
«So Steven didnt cheat?» Emilys head spun.
«Not with Isabelle,» Victoria confirmed. «But she wants him. And today…»
«Today I accused them based on your lies,» Emily covered her face. «I need to call Steven, explain»
«Wait,» Victoria held her back. «Think. If they admitted to an affair when you confronted them… maybe its not so simple?»
Emilys phone rang. Stevens name flashed.
«I have to answer,» she stood.
«Of course,» Victoria smiled strangely. «Put it on speaker. I want the truth too.»
Emily accepted the call.
«Emily?» Steven sounded frantic. «Where are you? Ive been worried.»
«Im at Victorias,» Emily watched her friends reaction.
A pause.
«Victorias?» Stevens tone shifted. «Emily, listen carefully. Get out of there. Now.»
«What? Why?»
«Because Victoria isnt who you think,» he said urgently. «She set this up. She called Isabelle, pretended to be you, said wed fought and I was coming over»
Emily turned slowly to Victoria, whose smile had vanished.
«Steven, what nonsense?» Victoria leaned toward the phone. «Isabelles the one having an affair!»
«Victoria?» Stevens voice hardened. «So youre there. Emily, Victorias been obsessed with me for months. I rejected her, and now shes trying to destroy our marriage.»
«Hes lying!» Victoria cried. «Ask him where he was this morning!»
«I was at Isabelles,» Steven said calmly. «Because Victoria called her, pretending to be you, saying there was an emergency. Isabelle was horrified when I arrived. We tried calling you, but your phone was off.»
Emilys head swam. Victoria had gone pale.
«Hes making this up,» Victoria whispered. «Dont believe him.»
«Then why did you claim you saw Stevens car at Isabelles overnight?» Emily demanded. «Why say theyve been together for months?»
«Because its true!» Victorias voice cracked. «I was protecting you!»
«Emily,» Stevens voice was firm through the phone. «Come home. Or to meIm still at Isabelles. Well sort this out together.»
«Dont you dare!» Victoria grabbed Emilys arm. «Theyre twisting this against me! You saw them together!»
«Victoria, let go,» Emily pulled free. «Im going to my husband.»
She headed for the door, but Victoria blocked her.
«You dont understand,» desperation edged her words. «Hes never loved you like you deserve. You could have so much more… We could»
«*We?*» Emily stepped back. «What are you saying?»
«Us,» Victoria said simply. «Ive loved you since uni. But you chose Steven. Then Isabelle with her doe eyes…»
Emilys legs weakened. She lifted the phone.
«Steven, Im coming. Be there in twenty.»
«Ill meet you outside,» he said, relieved.
«Emily, dont go,» Victoria begged. «We can talk. I just wanted you to see they dont deserve you…»
«Goodbye, Victoria,» Emily stepped around her and left.
Outside, she inhaled the crisp autumn air. The world felt surreal, yet clarity settled in her chestlike fog lifting to reveal an ugly, undeniable truth.
She got into her car and started the engine. Her phone rang againIsabelle this time.
«Emily, its me,» Isabelle sounded shaken. «Are you okay? Steven said you were with Victoria»
«Not anymore,» Emily said. «Im coming to you.»
«Oh, thank God,» Isabelle exhaled. «We were so worried. Victoria called me this morning, saying such strange things… That your husband was hers now»
«I know,» Emily cut in. «Well talk when I get there.»
She hung up and pulled away. Leaves swirled in the wind, sticking to the windshield. Autumn was stripping everything bareunmasking lies, revealing hearts.
