**Revenge**
*»Listen, Emily, I promised a colleague Id help with the move.»*
*»Today?»* Emily narrowed her eyes at her husband, James.
*»He just bought a new flattwo bedrooms. His wifes about to give birth.»*
*»And last Saturday, you were celebrating someones new car. All your colleagues seem so successful. Meanwhile, weve got neither a new car nor a bigger place. Why is that, James?»*
*»Dont be like that, Em. I promise, next weekend, just us.»*
*James pulled her close, searching her face, but Emily stepped back.*
*»Dont make promises you wont keep. Every weekend, its always something.»*
*»Fine. You want me to cancel? Say I cant help?»*
*»No. You made a promisego.»*
*James brightened instantly.*
*»Youre a gem, Em. So, Ill head off?»*
*He leaned in, but she pressed a hand to his chest, stopping him.*
*»Just dont forget your promise next weekend.»*
***
Theyd met at universityall three of them. As often happens, Emily had fancied James, while Oliver had fancied her. Theyd sat together in lectures, gone to the cinema, walked her home. Oliver had confessed his feelings once, late at night outside the student union.
*»Im sorry. Its James for me,»* shed said.
*»I know. Cant help who you love,»* Oliver had sighed.
After that, hed stopped sitting with them, stopped walking her home. If they went to the pub, hed leave early.
James had a small flat inherited from his grandfather, where theyd all gatheredEmily includedthough she never stayed the night, no matter how he coaxed her. Until New Years Eve. Then she stayed. Soon after, they moved in together.
Oliver visited rarely. It hurt too much to see them happy.
*»Whens the wedding?»* hed asked at their graduation party.
*»No rush. Were good as we are, right, Em?»* James had answered for them both.
Emily had looked down, silent.
*»Youre wrong. Every woman dreams of a wedding. Emily, dump him. Marry me,»* Oliver had said suddenly.
James had shot him a dark look.
*»Actually, Ive been meaning to propose.»*
*He pulled a ring from his pocket, holding it out. «Will you?»*
*Emily had flushed with joy.*
*»Yes.»*
She hadnt noticed Oliver slip away.
Two months later, he stood as their best man.
*»Em, if he ever hurts you, tell me,»* hed said at the reception.
*»And what about you? When are you getting married?»* Emily had teased.
*»Oh, hes waiting for us to divorce,»* James had laughed. *»Wont happen.»*
*»Enough,»* Emily had cut in, tugging James to the dance floor.
Three months later, Oliver arrived at Emilys birthday party with two dozen red roses. When the guests left, James had fumed, accusing her of making too much of the gesture.
*»Dont be jealous. I love you,»* shed said.
*»Hope so,»* hed muttered.
Three years passed. They were happy, but cracks had formedmostly James jealousy. He resented any man who so much as glanced at Emily. He wanted her pregnant, at home. But she wanted to work, to build her career.
Lately, James had been distant. Weekends, hed vanish on vague errands. When home, he was restless, irritable.
*»Oliver, tell meis James seeing someone?»* shed asked one evening.
*»Em, he loves you,»* Oliver had said, but his eyes flickered away.
*»Youre a terrible liar.»*
***
Now, James was gone again. Emily sighed, cleaning the flat until it gleamed. A knock at the doorodd, since James had his key.
She opened it to Oliver.
*»You? Wheres James?»*
*»Hes not here?»* Oliver stepped inside. *»Tea?»*
Silence stretched between them.
*»Em, I still fancy you,»* he blurted.
*»Oliver, I thought youd moved on.»*
*»Im just sayingso you know.»*
*»I know.»*
He took a breath. *»Theres something else. James thinks youre cheating.»*
Emily scoffed. *»He sent you to test me?»*
Oliver flushed. *»He asked me to seduce you.»*
*»What?»*
*»To see if youd give in. I refused, but you know Jamesif hes set on something»*
Emily stood, shaking. *»Get out.»*
Alone, fury coiled in her chest. James suspicions? A mirror of his own guilt.
When he returned, she served dinner calmly.
*»Move go okay?»*
*»Mm.»*
*»No celebratory drink?»*
*»His wifes pregnant,»* James said, not meeting her eyes.
*»Oliver dropped by.»*
James stiffened. *»Whatd he want?»*
*»Just talked.»*
*»Right. Im knackeredoff to shower.»*
Days later, Emily decided: if James wanted a test, shed give him one.
She enlisted Eve, a flirty coworker.
*»Youre sure?»* Eve grinned.
*»Just make it convincing.»*
On Saturday, Emily left, claiming a friend needed childcare. She wandered shops, guilt gnawing at her. Revenge was petty. Weak.
She rushed home.
*»Emily!»* James leapt from the sofa, dishevelled. Eve smirked, straightening her dress.
*»Expected someone else?»* Emilys voice was ice.
Eve sauntered out.
*»Its not»*
*»Save it.»*
She packed that night.
*»Youre moving in with Oliver?»* James spat.
*»Idiot.»*
Her parents took her in, offering savings for a flat.
Rainy autumn turned to winter. New Years Eve, Emily planned to drink alone.
A knock.
Oliver stood there, holding a tiny decorated tree.
*»Knew youd be alone.»*
They drank as Big Ben chimed.
*»Guess my wish,»* she said.
*»Same as mine.»*
A year later, they married. Nine months after thattwins.
Sometimes revenge sets things right.
