Emily sat in the armchair, staring at a lipstick. It wasnt hers She never wore lipstick. Certainly not such a bold crimson shade.
Once, shed found a long black hair on the car headrest. Emily had asked her husband whose it wasshe was a brunette with a sleek bob.
“Dont fret about it,” hed said. “Remember yesterdays downpour? I drove past a bus stop, saw a woman with a little boy, so I gave them a lift. Turns out they live just round the corner.”
“I see,” she exhaled.
“Emily, are you jealous? What are you accusing me of?”
“No, its just the hair…”
“Come here.” David hugged her, stroking her shoulder. “You know I love only you.”
And now the lipstick. Shed found it last night under the car mat at the self-service wash. What was this? Maybe David gave a colleague a ride? But the only woman at his work was Margaret, the cleanersixty, hardly the type for flashy makeup.
Unpleasant thoughts crept in. Theyd been married seven years, but lately, David worked late often, blaming his new promotion.
Emily studied herself in the mirror. Thirty, no wrinkles yetjust faint lines from smiling. Her bob suited her; she was slim. Men still complimented her, though shed stopped fussing with eyeliner daily. Had her husband stopped loving her? She needed proof.
Her phone rang.
“Hi, David, left work yet? Should I heat dinner?”
“Not yet, love. Be home in a couple of hours. Love you.”
The line went dead.
Emily dialed her friend.
“Sarah, can I borrow your car tonight? Davids working late, and I promised Mum Id visit.”
“No problem.”
Downstairs, she took the keys. In her bag: a Tupperware of food. Shed check if David was really at work. If he was, shed say she brought him dinner, then suggest stopping at the shops for new bedding.
At his office, only the security guard, Mr. Thompson, was there.
“Evening, Mrs. Harris. Your husband left at five sharp. Maybe you missed him?”
“Must have. Just thought Id pop by. Cheers.”
Back in the car, she called David.
“Finished yet?”
“Nearly. Be home soon.”
Liar.
That evening, she feigned a headache and locked herself in. She boiled insideno proof, just suspicion.
The next day, she took leave from both her remote accounting jobs.
“Borrowing the car again?” Sarah smirked.
“Errands. Mines still in the shop.”
“Spill. Whats really going on?”
Emily confessed. “Im following him.”
“Im coming too.”
By five, they parked near Davids office. Fifteen minutes later, he emerged. Emily called.
“On your way home?”
“Just a quick stop, then back by eight.”
Sarah tailed him. He stopped at a florist, then drove to a familiar neighbourhood. Emilys hands shook.
“Know this place?” Sarah asked.
“Yes. But it cant be… Its Lucyour friend Jamess ex-wife.”
“Coincidence?”
“Too many. He always said he hated fake lashes, filler lips… I dont even wear lipstick.”
Sarah volunteered to knock. She returned breathless.
“Hes there. Robe, bouquet on the table, his shoes by the door.”
Emilys stomach twisted. “We were saving for a house…”
Back home, she packed Davids things, left them by the door. In red lipstick, she scrawled: *”Happiness with Lucy. Heres what shes missing.”*
He banged on the door, shouted, until neighbours threatened the police. Finally, he left, texting: *”Tomorrow, The Rose & Crown, 3 PM. We need to talk.”*
Only then did Emily cry.
At the pub, David paled as she showed photos of him at Lucys.
“You followed me?”
“I had to know. Heres the dealwe split the savings, sign the papers, and you tell James about Lucy.”
David sneered. “Our boss values family men. Wait till after my Prague deal, then well divorce quietly.”
Emily walked out. No chance.
The next day, they divided the money. Then she called James.
“I need your help.”
She revealed everythingDavids affair, the wiped hard drive that cost James a promotion.
“Revenge?” James raised a brow.
“And Pragues yours.”
Two weeks later, glammed up for the office party, Emily dazzled. The director kissed her hand.
“Stunning, Mrs. Harris.”
“Thank you. But after Davids back from Prague, were divorcing.”
The room froze. David spluttered. Emily left, taxi waiting.
“You ruined me!” he hissed, catching her outside.
“Now you know how betrayal feels.”
A month later, divorced and demoted, David moved in with Lucyuntil James forced a flat sale. Their business flopped; debts piled up. They split, crawling back to their parents.
Emily and James? They bought a cosy house. A year later, their daughter arrived.
Everyone got what they deserved.
