**Diary Entry October 12th**
The moment the words left her lips, my stomach twisted. «Your husband is mine now,» my best friend whispered through the phone.
«Have you seen my blue scarf? The one with the fringe that James brought back from Italy?» I rummaged through the wardrobe, tossing clothes onto the bed. «I cant find it anywhere.»
«Check the hallway, maybe its there,» Emily murmured, eyes glued to her phone.
«Ive looked everywhere. Its vanished,» I snapped the wardrobe shut in frustration. «I wanted to wear it with my new coat for Charlottes anniversary party.»
Emily finally glanced up, studying me. Even dishevelled in an old t-shirt and jeans, I suppose I looked presentablechestnut waves tumbling over my shoulders, green eyes flecked with gold.
«Maybe you left it at Sophies last Friday? You went to the theatre together,» she suggested, rising from the sofa.
«Oh, right!» I brightened. «Completely forgot. Ill call her.»
While I searched for my phone, Emily drifted to the window. From our fifth-floor flat, the view overlooked a quiet courtyard where the caretaker swept fallen leaves in a melancholy rhythm. Autumn had painted London in gold and crimson, claiming the city as its own.
«Sophies not answering,» I sighed, joining Emily by the window. «Oddwe agreed to meet before Charlottes party.»
«Probably caught up shopping,» Emily shrugged, staring at her phone as a new message flashed. «You know Sophiealways dashing about last minute.»
I laughed. «Remember when she showed up five minutes before my wedding? James nearly panicked, thinking his best man had bailed.»
At the mention of my husband, Emily stiffenedjust slightlybut I didnt notice, lost in the memory.
«Speaking of James, where is he? Havent heard him about,» Emily asked casually.
«Fishing with mates,» I waved a hand. «Second weekend in a row. Says the bites are good this time of year.»
«Hes been going often, then?» Her tone was carefully neutral.
«Lately, yes,» I sighed. «Work, fishing, corporate events You know how it isautumns always hectic for accountants.»
Emily nodded and returned to her phone. The screen glowed with a message: *»Changed your mind? Last chance to stop this.»*
Her fingers flew over the keys: *»No. Proceed as planned.»*
«Whore you texting?» I peered over her shoulder. «Youve been off all day.»
Emily startled, quickly locking the screen. «Just work. Cant even leave me alone on a Saturday,» she forced a smile. «Waitcould the scarf be in the car?»
«The car?» I paused. «Oh! I wore it when James drove us back from the theatre. Maybe its still there.»
I grabbed my keys and headed for the door.
«Ill come with you,» Emily blurted. «Need some air.»
Outside, the crisp scent of decaying leaves filled the air. I unlocked our family Volvo and searched the back seat.
«Strange,» I muttered, straightening. «I was sure itd be here.»
Emily watched me, biting her lip. Her phone buzzed again, but she ignored it.
«Claire,» she finally said, her voice odd. «Dont you think James has been different lately?»
«How so?» I shut the car door and turned.
«All these trips, the fishing» She met my gaze. «Havent you noticed anything off?»
I frowned. «What are you getting at? If you know something, just say it.»
Emily took a deep breath. «Ive wanted to talk to you. I think no, Im sure James is cheating.»
I froze, then burst out laughing. «James? On *me*? Emily, are you mad? Weve been together ten years, have two kids. He doesnt even *look* at other women.»
«Are you certain?» Her voice was quiet.
Something in her tone made my skin prickle. «Emily, what do you know? *Tell me.*»
She looked away. «Remember last Friday? You and Sophie went to the theatre, and James drove you?»
«Yes. And?»
«He didnt go straight home,» she spoke slowly, weighing each word. «I saw his car outside Sophies flat. Late. Until morning.»
The ground tilted beneath me. «Youre wrong,» I shook my head. «James just dropped her off. Sophie rang me after, thanking me for the evening.»
«Claire,» Emily placed a hand on my arm. «His car was there till dawn. I saw him leave at eight. Same clothes.»
I shoved her hand away. «I dont believe you. Why would you lie? James said he stayed at his parents because he was working late. Hed never»
«Call him,» she urged. «Right now. Ask where he is.»
Hesitating, I dialled James. The line rang out to voicemail.
«Hes not answering,» I stared at the screen. «Probably no signal by the lake.»
«Or hes busy,» Emily said pointedly. «With Sophie.»
«Stop it!» My voice rose. «Sophies my *best friend*. Shed never»
The words died as I remembered: Sophie hadnt answered either.
«I didnt want to tell you,» Emily continued. «But Ive seen them together more than once. Every time James claims to be fishing or at some work do.»
I leaned against the car, nausea rising.
«No,» I whispered. «Not Sophie. Weve been friends since uni. She *knows* how much I love James»
Emily pulled me into a hug. «Come back to mine. You shouldnt be alone right now.»
I shook my head. «No. I need to talk to Sophie. *Now.*»
«Are you sure?» Emily looked uneasy. «At least calm down first.»
«I *am* calm,» I squared my shoulders, steel in my voice. «I just want the truth from her.»
Back inside, I grabbed my bag and keys.
«Im coming,» Emily said.
«No,» I cut her off. «This is between me and Sophie.»
Alone, Emily paced. Her phone buzzeda call this time.
«Yes,» she answered low. «Its working. Shes on her way to Sophies.»
—
Twenty minutes later, I parked outside Sophies building. My pulse hammered so hard I thought it might crack my ribs. I didnt *want* to believe Emily, but doubt had already sunk its claws in.
Then I saw it: Jamess Volvo, parked right where it always was when we visited.
*Emily was right.*
I took the lift to the fourth floor and jabbed the bell. The door swung open to reveal Sophiehair damp, robe tied loosely.
«Claire?» She blinked. «What?»
«Can I come in?» My voice was ice.
Sophie glanced behind her. «I was just heading out»
«Let me in, Sophie.» My tone brooked no argument.
Silently, she stepped aside.
The living room was empty, but two half-finished coffees sat on the table. On the sofa: Jamess shirtthe one *Id* bought him for his birthday.
«Where is he?» I turned to Sophie.
«Claire, let me explain»
«Explain *what*? That my husbands car is outside? That his shirts on your sofa? That hes supposedly *fishing*?»
At that moment, James emerged from the bathroom, towel drying his hair. He froze when he saw me.
«Claire?»
«Hello, darling,» I folded my arms. «Catch anything?»
His gaze darted between Sophie and me. «Claire, listen»
«No, *you* listen,» my voice cracked, tears threatening. «How long? And who else *knew*?»
A silent exchange passed between them.
«Two months,» Sophie admitted quietly. «It just happened. We never meant to hurt you.»
«*Just happened*?» A ragged laugh escaped me. «How does sleeping with your best friends husband *just happen*?»
«Claire,» James stepped forward. «We were going to tell you. Today. Thats why I said I was fishingso we could talk first.»
«And what did you decide?» My insides turned to stone.
«Were in love,» he said simply. «I want a divorce.»
The words hit harder than any slap. I gripped a chair to steady myself.
«*Love*,» I echoed. «What about our children? Our *ten years*?»
«Theyll stay with you, of course,» James said quickly. «Ill help, visit. Well keep it civil.»
«Civil,» I repeated. «So youve planned it all.»
«Claire,» Sophie reached for me. «I know Ive betrayed you. But this is bigger than us. We couldnt fight it.»
«Shut up,» I hissed. «Dont you *dare* speak to me about love. Or friendship. *Ever again.*»
I turned to James. «And youyouve taken everything. Not just yourself. My best friend. My trust. My faith in people.»
I pulled out my phone and dialled.
«Emily?» My voice was eerily calm. «You were right. Completely right.»
—
In the car, I finally broke. Sobs wracked my body, ugly and unrestrained. When the tears dried, I wiped my face and started the engine. Missed calls from James. None from Sophie. But a text from Emily: *»Come to mine. Dont be alone.»*
She hugged me the moment I arrived. Her flat had always felt like a refugetoday more than ever.
«Tell me everything,» she urged, handing me tea.
I did. She listened, nodding at times, shaking her head at others.
«Heres the strangest part,» I finished. «I dont feel *destroyed*. Betrayed? Yes. But not shattered. Maybe maybe part of me knew?»
«Or youre stronger than you think,» she said gently. «What now?»
«I dont know,» I admitted. «Pack Jamess things. Talk to the kids when theyre back from Mums. Then figure it out.»
Emily took my hand. «Claire theres more. About James and Sophie.»
I sighed. «What now?»
«Remember last year? When you nearly split over that colleague of his?»
«Vaguely,» I tensed. «Whats that got to do with this?»
«Sophie *supported* you then,» Emily said. «Told you James wasnt worth your tears. That you deserved better.»
«And?»
«And at the same time, she started texting *him*,» Emily met my gaze. «Offering to help save your marriage.»
«How do you know this?»
«From James,» she said simply. «He told me because he didnt know what to do. He rejected her. Said he loved only you.»
«But eventually gave in,» I scoffed. «How poetic.»
Emily shook her head. «Its not that. Sophies not who you think. Shes spent years coveting what you havefirst the job at the firm, then the same car, the same neighbourhood and now your husband.»
I struggled to process this. «Youre saying she *planned* this?»
«The signs are there,» Emily shrugged. «And Claire theres something else.»
She showed me a photo on her phone: Sophie hugging a man who *wasnt* James.
«Whos this?»
«Her ex,» Emily said. «They met last week. The same night James was supposedly with her.»
«I dont understand,» I rubbed my temples. «If she was with her ex, where was *James*?»
Emily took a breath. «With me,» she said quietly. «We were planning your birthday surprise.»
My mouth fell open. «But you *said*»
«I lied,» she looked down. «Im sorry. But I had to make you see Sophie for who she is.»
«So James *isnt* cheating?» My mind reeled.
«Not with Sophie,» Emily confirmed. «But shes after him. And today»
«Today I confronted them based on *your* lie,» I covered my face. «God, what have I done? I need to call James»
«Wait,» Emily grabbed my arm. «If James and Sophie *were* together, if they admitted to an affair maybe its not so simple? Maybe Im wrong, and they *are*»
My phone rang. *James.*
«I have to answer,» I stood.
«Of course,» Emily smiled oddly. «Put it on speaker. I want the truth too.»
I accepted the call.
«Claire?» Jamess voice was strained. «Where are you?»
«At Emilys,» I watched her reaction.
A pause. «*Emilys*?» His tone shifted. «Claire, listen carefully. Get out of there. Now.»
«Why?»
«Because Emily isnt who you think,» he said urgently. «She set this up. She called Sophie, pretended to be *you*, said wed fought and I was coming over»
I turned slowly. Emilys smile had vanished.
«James, what rubbish!» Emily snapped at the phone. «Sophies the one having an affair!»
«Emily?» Jamess voice hardened. «So youre there. Claire, Emilys been obsessed with me for months. I rejected her, and now shes trying to destroy us.»
«Liar!» Emily cried. «Its *Sophie*! Ask him where he was this morning!»
«I was at Sophies,» James said calmly. «Because *Emily* called her, pretending to be you, saying there was an emergency. When I got there, Sophie was baffled. We tried calling you, but your phone was off.»
My head spun. Emily had gone pale.
«Hes making this up,» she whispered. «Dont believe him.»
«Then why did *you* tell me you saw Jamess car at Sophies overnight?» I demanded. «Why insist theyve been seeing each other for months?»
«Because its *true*!» Emilys voice broke. «I was trying to *protect* you!»
«Claire,» James cut in. «Come home. Or meet me at Sophies. Well sort this out together.»
«Dont you dare!» Emily clutched my wrist. «Theyre twisting this against me! You *saw* them together! They *admitted* it!»
«Emily, let go,» I said quietly. «Im going to my husband.»
I moved to leave, but she blocked the door.
«You dont understand,» desperation edged her words. «Hes never loved you the way you deserve. *I* have. Since uni. But you chose James, then Sophie with her doe eyes»
My breath caught. «What are you saying?»
«Us,» she said simply. «Ive loved you all along. And I just wanted you to seetheyre not worthy of you.»
«Goodbye, Emily,» I sidestepped her and left.
Outside, I inhaled the crisp autumn air. The world felt unmoored, surrealyet somewhere deep, a strange clarity settled. Like fog lifting to reveal the ugly truth beneath.
I got in the car. My phone rang again*Sophie.*
«Claire? Its me,» her voice trembled. «Are you okay? James said you were with Emily»
«Not anymore,» I said. «Im coming to you.»
«Thank God,» she exhaled. «We were terrified. Emily called me this morning, saying such odd things That your husband was hers now»
«I know,» I interrupted. «Well talk in person.»
I hung up and pulled away. Leaves swirled against the windscreen. Autumn had come, stripping away illusions, laying bare what really lay beneath.
**Lesson learned:** Trust is fragile. And sometimes, the people closest to you are the ones holding the knife.
