He Lied, and She Let Him
How many times have we heard that temptation is never far away, eager to test a mans resolve? Wives sometimes let their guard down, hoping such troubles might pass them by. Thats exactly what happened to Emily, and not just once, either.
When James first cheated on Emily, she was hurt but eventually forgave him.
Alright, Ill let it go this one time. These things happen. He slipped upa moment of weakness. It happens to men, especially when theyre nearing forty or just past it.
Before this, Emily had never noticed anything odd about Jamesor perhaps she chose not to notice. She trusted him completely. Life was busy with two children in secondary school, growing up so quickly. The two ran a business together, or rather, Emily had started a small venture and James suggested they take out a loan and expand, working for the good of their family. They lived in Jamess three-bedroom flat in London, a legacy from his grandmother before their marriage. The business was registered in Emilys name, but they managed everything together, pooling both assets and income for the family.
Jamess first mistake was with their new secretary, Lucya young woman with a models figure, dreamy eyes, and a professional poise who nevertheless sent sidelong glances at James, even with Emily present. When Emily first saw her, she frowned:
James, we need someone reliable and mature at reception, not a model. Preferably someone experienced, not a young girl.
So what if shes young? James snorted. Besides, she came from a reputable firmshes got some experience. And as you always say, our front desk is the companys calling card. Lucy will draw in clients.
Emily gave James a doubtful look.
Alright. Time will tell if shes drawing in clientsor just attention.
Lucy turned out to be polite, punctual, and organised. Emily relented.
Shes fine. At least she acts professionally and keeps her attire businesslike. Sensible with makeup as well, all in moderation.
But within a month, her disappointment was complete. One evening, she went to a Sainsburys not far from the office to buy food for Saturday when friends were visiting. Heading back, she noticed a light on in Jamess office.
He said hed be home by now. Theres his car. Still working late, is he? Ill pop in and chivvy him alonghe must be hungry and tired.
She parked, walked upstairs and opened the doorthen froze. The scene was unmistakableand entirely unappealing. Shed caught them at the worst possible moment. James looked terrified; Lucy quickly cloaked herself with his shirt.
Well, theres a surprise! I thought youd be hungry and worn out, but it seems quite the opposite. Make sure that woman isnt at the company tomorrow. I dont want to see her. And we will talk at home.
She spun on her heels and left, tears streaming as she slumped over her steering wheel. The very ground seemed to disappear beneath hereverything shed built, lost in an instant. James came home soon after, but she locked herself in the bedroom. He knocked on the door, pleading.
Em, Im so sorry. It was the first and last time, I promise. Itll never happen again.
She didnt open. She lay awake all night, feeling trapped.
Should I leave and take the boys? But theyre nearly grown nowhow would I explain? James is a good, attentive father, better than I am sometimes. The boys adore him. It would ruin their lives. What about the business weve built, now thriving? AndI still love him, I cant deny it.
By sunrise, she convinced herself it was just foolish temptation, that Lucy had lured James. She cried, but resolved to forgive him. In the kitchen, he hugged her and begged again.
I swear, it was a stupid momentshe came on to me, and I didnt know how to say no. Please, forgive me. It wont happen again.
Later that day, friends visited and they pretended all was fine. James cheered up, sensing forgiveness. That evening, Emily decided:
One more chancejust one.
James seemed to try, showering her with love, telling her only she mattered.
Two months later, Emily happened upon a text on Jamess phoneshe wasnt snooping, just looking for a contract hed asked her to bring, while his phone lay on the desk. It buzzed, lighting up. She fought curiosity, but it got the better of her. What she read left her reelinga message from someone called Sophie, writing about intimate things and urging him to call. Hands trembling, Emily dialled the number. A soft female voice answered:
Hello, my teddy bear!
Emily ended the call, speechless:
Oh, hes a teddy bear now, she thought bitterly.
James walked into the office and she hurled the phone at him.
Call your Sophie, teddy bear, she snapped and stormed out.
She found old cigarettesshed long since quitlight after light. But at last she knew: shed never forgive him again. She wouldnt be that woman.
But what now? Two nearly grown sons. The flat is his. The company our joint venture. And still the loan. How do I divide it all?
She drove home as dusk settled. James was waiting, a massive bouquet on the table. Arms around their sons, he painted the picture of a model father, loving husbandwaiting for his wife to come home.
That night, when the boys went to bed, he pleaded:
Emily, she chased after me. You know I only love you, no one else.
How longs this been going on then?
Honestly, just a month and a half. Pleasethink of the boys, our family. Its just a midlife crisishappens to some men.
Once more, Emily felt that leaving him would destroy everything shed worked for. But this time she decided to teach him a lesson. There began cold war at homelasting four monthsuntil at last she forgave him. For a time, James was under her strict control: silent as she checked his phone, read his emails. Everywhere, she hunted for lies or betrayal. This continued until their summer holiday.
They went as a family to Cornwall, renting a seaside cottage. Sunbathing, swimming, strolling. But James still found a way to betray hereven there. While Emily went shopping with their younger boy, James slipped into the next cottage where an attractive, single woman stayedtheyd been exchanging glances for days. Emily was returning as the womans door opened and James, beaming, straightened his shirt, saying:
Thanks, I had a lovely time, not realising Emily was right there.
The door shut fast, and James, awkwardly, said:
Em, it really isnt what you think.
It was exactly the same as before. After packing the boys off for a walk, they argued and packed up to drive home the next morning. The car was silent; the boys knew their dad had messed up again, and that this time, mum wasnt likely to forgive him.
At home, James begged for forgiveness, so desperate that Emily even started to feel guilty.
Maybe if I were a better wifeperhaps this wouldnt have happened.
She almost blamed herself. But suddenly common sense prevailed. She realised:
All this time, James has lied, and Ive allowed it. Every time he said I love you, I meltedlonging to hear it, needing it. Hes humiliated me with every lie, playing me for a fool, manipulating me. Dont I deserve more than family, children, and work? The boys are nearly grown. No more lies, no more humiliation. Its time to think things through calmly and act with reason, not old habits.
Emily pretended she had nearly forgiven him, but gave him an ultimatumlegally separate their assets.
Take it or leave it, James. This is whats needed if you want to stay married.
He agreed, insisting that all he wanted was to keep the family together; she could manage the savings, keep the new flat in her name. He believed this would earn forgiveness, that shed stay for good.
Her older son started at university in Manchester, moving into halls. Emily bought a flat in her mothers name for herself and the boys.
James, its safer for our savingsproperty values are the best hedge against inflation, she explained.
They still lived under one roof, but leaving him was proving hard. He was a model father, andaside from the cheatinga decent husband. She wavered.
Am I right about all this? Maybe hes changed? Maybe he finally understood?
She laughed to herself, a hard, heavy laugh
A year passed like this until another pretty woman, named Alice, knocked on Emilys office door. Short, chic hair, striking dark eyesimmediately, Emily saw a rival.
Good afternoon, Emily. Im Alice, and Im here about James.
You mean my husband? Emily asked.
Yes. Well, hes your husband for now, but hell soon be mine. Hasnt he told you about me yet? I just thought Id get ahead of things, since you cant always count on men. We love each other and hes promised well marry.
Emily was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughingloud, filling the whole office, not so much at Alice as at herself and James. How easily hed lulled her guard down again. She thought of the old saying, A leopard never changes its spots. She laughed at her own illusions. James would never change; it was in his blood, not just a midlife crisis.
Alice stood there, confused by Emilys laughter.
Emily finally said, calmly:
Take him, by all means. Hell never ask me for a divorcehe knows hell lose everything. Thats perfectly clear to him. Id advise you to find someone else, someone honest and unmarried. My husband has nothing to offer you.
That very day, Emily began packing. The next day, she moved to her new flat with her younger son. She knew it would be tough at first, but temporary hardship was far better than a lifetime of betrayal.
Life, especially after forty, is just beginninga fresh page, full of promise. Emily knew she had everything ahead of her.
May you find colour and joy in your own life. And never accept less than you deserve.
