You got what you deserved
Do you absolutely have to go? Emily gazed longingly at her fiancé. Surely they could find someone else? Is there really anyone desperate to visit Manchester in February?
Matthew flicked her nose with a grin as he kept stuffing shirts into his travel bag.
Its only for a week, love. You wont even have the chance to miss me.
I already miss you, Emily declared theatrically, pressing a hand over her heart. See how I suffer?
I do, Matthew nodded towards the kitchen. And I see youve got a support squad at the ready.
Sophie saluted with her mug of tea from the doorway, winking at Emily.
Dont worry, MatthewIll make sure your fiancée doesnt waste away from heartbreak. Ive got an agenda: telly marathons, takeaway pizzaextra pineapple, obviouslyand all the juicy gossip about my new boss.
Thats a direct threat to my waistline, Emily laughed.
Matthew zipped up his bag, ambled over to the sofa, and bent to kiss Emily on the crown of her head.
Ill write every day. Ill call. Ill send you pictures of the bleakest Manchester landscapes I can find.
Cant wait, Emily tugged his shirt collar playfully. Especially the photos. I want visual evidence of whats pulling you away from me.
Sophie snorted and flopped on the couch beside Emily.
Well make this the best week ever. Youll look back fondly on itonce hes home, shedding socks all around the flat again.
Emily walked Matthew to the door, clung to him for a few more seconds than intended, and waved until the lift doors closed.
The first couple of days lived up to Sophies promises. Telly until two in the morning, pineapple pizza Matthew would never touch, and endless chatter about Sophies insufferable new manager. Matthew sent messages religiously: morning, noon, and night, photos of his hotel room, moans about meetings, and questions about Emilys dinner.
But on the third day, the spell broke.
Emily texted that morning at ten. Matthew didnt reply till lunchtimea terse, flat message. That evening, she phoned; he rejected the call and messaged that hed phone later. But he never did.
Maybe hes just swamped? Sophie offered as Emily checked her phone for the fifth time. Business trips are like that. All relaxed at first, then suddenly a crisis.
He didnt even use an emoji. Emily showed Sophie their exchange. Fine. One word. He never writes like that.
Em, youre imagining things, Sophie flipped the phone over, screen down. Men just get tired, sometimes. Doesnt mean hes stopped loving you overnight.
Emily wanted to object, but Sophie had already flicked to the next episode, and the topic faded away.
By day five, Matthews replies were curt, sometimes hours late. Emily stopped asking what was wrong, tired of hearing, Im fine, just tired.
The week finally ended.
Emily spent all day in the kitchen, making prawn pasta from his mums recipe, opening the bottle of wine shed been saving for something special.
The sound of a key in the door made her heart jump. She wiped her hands on her apron and hurried out to the hallway.
Matthew looked shattered, dark rings under his eyes.
Hi, Emily moved toward him, rose up on tiptoes, and reached for a kiss.
Matthew turned away.
Emily froze, stretching awkwardly, her smile glued in place, arms limp at her sides.
Matthew?
Without a word, Matthew walked past her into the living room, his coat still on.
Matthew, whats going on? She followed, stopping at the door.
Matthew didnt reply. He opened the wardrobe, hauled out his large suitcase, tossed it onto the bed, and ripped the zip open, shoving his clothes in haphazardly.
What are you doing? Emily tried to meet his eyes. Ive been waiting all week, made dinner, and now youre just packingwithout saying a word?
Matthew moved like a sleepwalker, as if compelled by an unpleasant but necessary duty.
Matthew!
He finally paused and stood straight, but stared right through her at the wall behind.
You can keep the ring, Matthew said in a low, drained voice. There wont be a wedding. Were finished.
Emily blinked once, then again, trying to process those words.
What? Why? I dont understandwhat did I do?
Matthew snapped the suitcase shut and hauled it toward the door. Emily caught his sleeve, pulling him round.
Say something, please! What happened while you were away?
Matthew looked at her, and there was something odd in his gaze. Not anger, not pain. Something close to revulsion.
I dont want to talk about it, he freed his arm. Goodbye, Emily.
The door closed behind him, leaving Emily standing in the ransacked bedroom, floral apron askew, dining table left untouched.
Sophie dashed over twenty minutes later, dishevelled, her coat thrown on in a hurry.
My God, Em, she wrapped her arms around her friend, settling her on the sofa. Tell me everything. Did he say anything?
Nothing, Emily spoke slowly, as if in a dream. Not a word, just packed and left. Said there wouldnt be a wedding.
No explanation at all?
I asked. He didnt answer.
Sophie brought her water, wrapped Emily in a blanket, and stroked her hair as Emily stared blankly into space.
Did I do something wrong? Emily clung to her. Was I too distant? Didnt call enough?
Stop it, Em, Sophie shook her head. Youve done nothing wrong. Sometimes men just walk out. No reason.
Emily nodded, but the same thought chased itself around her mind: What did I do? Where did I go wrong? How could the man who kissed her goodbye only a week ago now look at her like a stranger?
Sophie stayed the night. And the next. She made chicken soup, forced Emily to eat, watched silly comedies with her, and asked no questions when Emily started crying quietly again at two in the morning.
Time took the edge off; a sharp pain dulled to a quiet ache. Emily learned to rise in the mornings, go to work, and smile at colleagues. She took off the engagement ring after a month, placing it in her dresser under old letters and birthday cards.
Four years went by.
One morning, Emily woke up, staring at the ceiling while half-expectingjust for a secondto see that night again: suitcase on the bed, his back in the doorway.
Beside her, David stirred, rolled over, and sleepily drew her close.
Youre awake early, he mumbled.
Its already morning, Emily smiled, kissing his shoulder.
From the other room, came the banging and voices of their son, George, apparently conducting a one-boy symphony with every toy he owned.
Ill get up, David groaned, swinging out of bed. Grab a few more minutes sleep.
Emily watched David leave the room, soon followed by Georges delighted shrieks. Life had worked out, but not how she imagined. Not with Matthew. But it had worked out.
The day passed by as usual: breakfast, a walk with George, cleaning up, lunch. Then her phone rangSophies name on the screen.
Emily? Sophies voice was tremulous. Can you come round? Please.
Soph, whats happened?
Just please come.
Emily left George with David and was knocking on Sophies door in half an hour.
Adams left, Sophie choked out, breaking down in tears at the threshold.
Emily led her inside, made her sit, and fetched water. The story was heartbreakingly ordinary: Adam had cheated, fallen for someone else, taken his things, and walked out, leaving Sophie alone with little Tamsin and a mortgage.
I dont know how Ill go on, Sophie sobbed. How am I supposed to do this alone?
Emily hugged her and said all the right things. But all the while, a strange thought nagged at the back of her mind: that recurring dream last nightperhaps it wasnt for nothing.
A few weeks later, life returned to its normal beat.
One Saturday, Emily bumped into Alex at the shopping centre. They had studied law together and hadnt seen each other in years. He suggested they grab a coffee and catch up.
So, how are you? Alex sipped his latte. Whats new?
Emily told him about David, about George, work. She mentioned Sophies marriage falling apart, how hard things were for her.
Alexs face fell.
Sophie, you say? He fiddled with his mug. Well, thats karma, I suppose.
Emily lifted her eyebrows.
Karma? What do you mean?
You never heard about it? Alex looked surprised. I thought someone would have told you by now.
Told me what?
Alex hesitated, looking away.
Look, I didnt want to interfere back thenit was between you and her. But since youre asking Remember the Christmas do, three years ago, after you and Matthew split?
Emily nodded, a knot forming in her stomach.
Sophie had a bit much to drink, Alex slowed, choosing his words carefully. She started boasting that she was the one who made you and Matthew break up. Told him youd been cheating while he was away on that work trip. That you were out at bars, flirting with men all week.
Emily could barely breathe.
Why didnt you tell me?
I didnt want to stir things up, Alex shrugged helplessly. Figured itd come out eventually, or youd find out.
They exchanged awkward goodbyes. Outside, Emily stood for ages, watching the cars flow by the main entrance.
Her phone buzzed: Sophie.
Emily, can you drop by?
Emily replied: Be there in an hour.
Sophie greeted her at the door with a weary smile.
Thanks for coming. I cant manage on my own.
Emily sat on the sofa as Tamsin played in the next room, her voice carrying faintly.
Sophie, Emily said levelly, I ran into Alex Brown the other day. Remember him?
Sophie tensed.
Vaguely. Why?
He told me quite a story, Emilys voice was calm, though inside she was burning. About the office Christmas party. You bragged about something that night.
Sophies face drained of colour, and Emily saw all she needed in that look.
Is it true? Emily leaned in. Did you tell Matthew I was cheating?
Emily, I it was so long agoI never thought hed believe it
Is it true or not?
Sophie shrank on her seat.
Yes, she whispered. Its true.
Why?
Sophies eyes brimmed.
I was jealous! she blurted out. You were so happy with Matthew, the wedding, the dress, the ring! And I had nothing! I just couldnt bear the thought of you getting married before me, having a family before meI wanted to be first. It should have been me!
Emily stared at the woman shed called her best friend for fifteen years. The one whod offered endless comfort after Matthew left.
You wrecked my life out of jealousy, Emily said slowly, and then watched me crumble.
Emily, I’m sorry, Sophie reached for her. I regretted it so muchI’ve wanted to confess so many times
Emily stood and walked to the door. Hand on the handle, she paused and looked back.
You know, Sophie, Emily said quietly, looking at her tearful friend, you got exactly what you deserved. Karma caught up with you.
She closed the door gently behind her. She had a happy marriageeven if it wasnt with Matthew. A beautiful son. She had everythingexcept a friend.
Sometimes, lifes toughest betrayals teach us that while wounds will heal and happiness will return, trust lost through envy is the hardest thing to recover.
