Stepping into the café during her lunch break, Emily spotted her husband with another woman and resolved to teach them both a lesson.
Emily exhaled heavily as she left the office building. The day had been relentlessone tedious task after another. Did Oliver really need those reports immediately? They couldve waited till tomorrow. Exhausted, she craved the comfort of her usual café, where she could lose herself in a Caesar salad and a steaming cup of tea, if only for a moment.
The café was nearly empty when she entered. She moved toward her usual spot, but thenfrozen in her tracksshe saw him. Oliver. And he wasnt alone. A glamorous woman sat across from him, her honey-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, her designer dress clinging perfectly to her figure. Diamonds glinted at her ears and wrists. Oliver was leaning in, whispering something that made her laugh, her fingers brushing his hand.
Emilys stomach twisted. *So this is how it is.* Her first instinct was to march over and make a scene, just like in those dramatic films. But she stopped herself. No, that would be too easy.
She retreated, choosing a table tucked in the corner but still within sight. She ordered her salad and tea but barely touched them, her attention fixed on Oliver and his companion. She pulled out her phone and dialed his number. His phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen, hesitated, then silenced it. Emily smirked. *Too busy to answer? Whats so important?*
Oliver leaned closer to the blonde, murmuring something that sent her into girlish giggles. A massive diamond ring sparkled on her finger. Emilys chest tightened. She forced herself to look away, twisting a serviette between her fingers. *Stay calm. Think.*
Fragments of their past flitted through her mindtheir awkward first date, whispered confessions under the stars. Had it all been a lie? Was he really this kind of man? She clenched her jaw but kept watching, willing herself to believe this was just a colleaguealbeit one who sat too close and laughed too much.
Then, a man walked past her tabletall, chiselled, with a dusting of stubble. He looked like hed stepped straight out of a cologne advert. An idea struck her. She raised a hand.
“Excuse me,” she called. He turned, eyebrows lifting.
“Yes?”
“I have a strange favour to ask,” Emily began, choosing her words carefully. “I need you to play along. See that man over there? My husband. And that woman? Well, I think you can guess.”
The man considered for a second, then grinned.
“Alright. Lets give him a taste of his own medicine.” He slid into the seat opposite her.
“Im Emily,” she said.
“William,” he replied.
Emily forced a smile, her pulse racing. She glanced at Oliver. *Good. Hes noticed.* Confusion flickered across his face before he schooled his expression and turned back to the blonde. But his fingers drummed the table now, restless.
She leaned closer to William, murmuring as if sharing a secret. He played along brilliantly, nodding and laughing at all the right moments.
Oliver kept stealing glances, his posture stiffening. The blonde said something, but he barely responded. Emily decided to push further. She reached for Williams hand. He clasped her fingers gently, flashing a charming smile.
Olivers face darkened. He muttered something to the blonde, and her laughter died.
“Youre a natural,” Emily whispered to William.
“Look at him,” William murmured back. “Hes fuming. Reckon weve twisted the knife enough?”
“Lets walk past them,” Emily suggested. “See how he reacts.”
Arm in arm, they strolled toward the exit. As they passed Olivers table, Emily paused, feigning surprise.
“Oh! Oliver! Fancy seeing you here. And whos your friend?”
Oliver faltered. The blondes smile vanished.
“This is” he stammered. “A colleague.”
The blondes eyes narrowed.
“A *colleague*?” Emily echoed sweetly. “How funnyI thought you were in meetings all day.”
Olivers jaw tightened. “Emily, what the hell is this? Who is *this*?” He glared at William.
“And what would your *colleague* say?” Emily pressed. “Does she even know youre married?”
The blonde stood abruptly. “Youre *married*?” She snatched her bag and stormed out.
Olivers face flushed with anger. “Brilliant. Just brilliant. She was a *client*, Emily. A major deal hinged on her. That wasnt what it looked like!”
“Then what *was* it?” Emily shot back. “And since when do clients hold hands?”
“And what about *him*?” Oliver jabbed a finger at William.
Emily lifted her chin. “You get to have fun. Why shouldnt I?”
Olivers voice dropped dangerously. “Youve been cheating on me?”
“Yes,” Emily lied, relishing the hurt in his eyes.
William cleared his throat. “Right. Ill just leave you to it.” He hurried off.
Oliver tossed a few pound notes onto the table. “Youre unbelievable, Em.” He strode out.
Emilys legs trembled. She couldnt believe what had just happened. She called her coworker, begging her to cover, then went straight home.
When she opened the door, Oliver was on the sofa, his expression weary.
“Emily,” he said softly. “Did you really?”
She sank beside him. “No. I met him today. I saw you with her andI just wanted to hurt you.”
Oliver exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. “This whole thing is absurd. I messed up. I shouldve told you. That meeting was purely businessshe was flirting, but I wasnt encouraging it. I swear.”
Emily studied him. He looked genuinely remorseful.
“Promise me,” she whispered.
“I promise.” He pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her hair. “Forgive me, love.”
She relaxed into his embrace, the anger ebbing away. The blonde still lingered in her mind, but Olivers remorse was real. For now, that was enough.
