The phone pressed to her ear, Emma heard the whispered words that turned her blood to ice. “Your husband is mine now.”
“Have you seen my blue scarf? The one with the fringe, the one James brought back from Paris?” Olivia rifled through the wardrobe, tossing clothes onto the bed. “I cant find it anywhere.”
“Check the hallway, maybe its there,” Sophie murmured absently, eyes glued to her phone.
“Ive looked everywhereits vanished.” Olivia slammed the wardrobe shut in frustration. “Im meant to meet Charlotte for her birthday lunch and wanted to wear it with my new coat.”
Sophie finally looked up, studying her friend. Even dishevelled in an old jumper and jeans, Olivia was strikingchestnut waves tumbling over her shoulders, green eyes flecked with gold.
“Maybe you left it at Lauras last Friday? You went to the theatre together.”
“Thats it!” Olivia brightened. “I completely forgot. Ill ring her now.”
As Olivia searched for her phone, Sophie moved to the window. From the fifth floor, the quiet courtyard stretched below, where a caretaker swept fallen leaves in slow, methodic strokes. Autumn had settled in fully, painting London in russet and gold.
“Lauras not answering,” Olivia said, joining her at the window. “Thats oddwe were supposed to meet before Charlottes lunch.”
“Probably caught up shopping,” Sophie shrugged, eyes fixed on her phone where a new message blinked. “You know Lauraalways in a last-minute scramble.”
Olivia laughed. “True. Remember when she showed up five minutes before my wedding? James nearly thought his best man had bailed.”
At the mention of her husband, Sophie tensedjust slightlybut Olivia didnt notice, lost in the memory.
“Speaking of, wheres James? I havent heard him all morning,” Sophie asked casually.
“Out fishing with his mates,” Olivia waved a hand. “Second weekend in a row. Says the trout are biting.”
“Hes been going often, then?” Sophie kept her tone light.
“Lately, yes.” Olivia sighed. “Work, fishing trips, corporate events you know how it isautumns always mad for bankers.”
Sophie nodded and buried herself in her phone again. The screen glowed with a message: *Have you changed your mind? Last chance to stop this.*
Her fingers flew over the keys: *No. Go ahead as planned.*
“Whos that?” Olivia peered over her shoulder. “Youve been distracted all morning.”
Sophie jolted, quickly dimming the screen. “Just work. They never leave me alone, even on a Saturday.” She forced a smile. “What about the car? Maybe the scarfs there.”
“The car?” Olivia paused. “Ohright! I was wearing it when James dropped Laura and me home from the theatre. Must still be there.”
She grabbed her keys and headed for the door.
“Ill come with you,” Sophie said suddenly. “Need some air.”
Outside, the crisp scent of damp leaves filled the air. Olivia unlocked their family Range Rover and searched the backseat.
“Strange,” she muttered, straightening. “I couldve sworn it was here.”
Sophie watched, chewing her lip. Her phone buzzed againshe ignored it.
“Liv,” she said finally, her voice oddly strained. “Dont you think James has been different lately?”
“How so?” Olivia shut the car door, frowning.
“All these trips, the fishing” Sophie met her gaze. “Havent you noticed anything off?”
Olivias frown deepened. “What are you getting at? If you know something, just say it.”
Sophie took a slow breath. “Ive been meaning to talk to you. I thinkno, Im sureJames is having an affair.”
Olivia froze, eyes widening. Then she laughed sharply. “James? With someone else? Weve been married ten years, Sophie. We have two children. He doesnt even *look* at other women.”
“Are you certain?” Sophies voice was quiet.
Something in her tone made Olivia go still.
“Sophie, what do you know? *Tell me.*”
Sophie looked away. “Remember last Friday? When you and Laura went to the theatre, and James drove you?”
“Yes. And?”
“He didnt go straight home.” Sophie spoke slowly, weighing each word. “I saw his car outside Lauras flat. Late. And it was still there at dawn.”
Olivias legs buckled.
“Youre wrong,” she whispered. “James just dropped her off and left. She rang me after, thanking me for the evening.”
“Olivia.” Sophie gripped her shoulder. “He walked out of her building at eight in the morning. In the same clothes.”
Olivia shoved her hand away. “I dont believe you. Why would you lie? James said he stayed at his parentshe wouldnt”
“Call him,” Sophie challenged. “Right now. Ask where he is.”
Hands trembling, Olivia dialled. The line rang and rangthen voicemail.
“No answer,” she said numbly. “Must be no signal by the river.”
“Or hes busy,” Sophie said softly. “With Laura.”
“Stop it!” Olivias voice cracked. “Lauras my best friendshed never”
The words died as she remembered: Laura hadnt picked up either.
“I didnt want to say this,” Sophie continued. “But Ive seen them together more than once. Those fishing trips? The late nights at work? All lies.”
Olivia leaned against the car, nausea rising.
“No,” she breathed. “Not Laura. Weve been friends since uni. She *knows* how much I love James”
Sophie pulled her close. “Come back to mine. You shouldnt be alone right now.”
Olivia shook her head. “I need to see Laura. Face to face. *Now.*”
“Are you sure?” Sophie looked uneasy. “Maybe calm down first”
“I *am* calm.” Olivias voice was steel. “I just want the truth from her.”
They returned upstairs in silence. Olivia snatched her keys and bag, marching to the door.
“Im coming,” Sophie said.
“No.” Olivias tone brooked no argument. “This is between me and Laura.”
Alone, Sophie paced. Her phone buzzeda call this time.
“Yes,” she answered low. “Its working. Shes on her way.”
Twenty minutes later, Olivia parked outside Lauras flat. Her pulse hammered so violently she thought her ribs might crack. She didnt *want* to believe Sophiebut doubt had already sunk its claws in.
Then she saw itJamess Range Rover, parked right where it always was when they visited Laura.
*Sophie was right.*
The lift to the fourth floor felt like a condemned womans ascent. The door opened after two knocksLaura stood there, damp-haired, in a robe.
“Olivia?” Her shock was palpable. “What?”
“Let me in,” Olivia said icily.
Laura hesitated, glancing behind her. “I was just heading out”
“Now.”
A beat. Then Laura stepped aside.
The flat was warm, the living room emptybut on the coffee table sat two half-finished mugs of tea. A familiar navy shirtthe one shed bought James last Christmaslay draped over the sofa.
“Where is he?” Olivia demanded.
“Liv, let me explain” Laura twisted the belt of her robe. “Its not what you think”
“*Not what I think?*” Olivia let out a broken laugh. “His cars outside. His shirts on your sofa. And hes supposedly *fishing*?”
MovementJames emerged from the bathroom, towelling his hair. He froze.
“Olivia?”
“Hello, darling,” she said sweetly. “Catch anything?”
His gaze darted between her and Laura. “Liv, listen”
“Save it.” The tears burned, but she refused them. “How long? And who else knew?”
Silence. Then Laura spoke first.
“Two months.” Her voice was small. “It just happened. We never meant to hurt you.”
“*Happened?*” Olivias laugh was jagged. “You dont *accidentally* sleep with your best friends husband!”
“Olivia.” James stepped forward. “We were going to tell you. Today. Thats why I said I was fishingso we could talk first.”
“And what did you decide?” Her voice was glacial.
“Were in love,” James said simply. “I want a divorce.”
The words hit harder than a slap. Olivia staggered, clutching the armchair.
“In love,” she echoed. “And our children? Our *ten years*?”
“Theyll stay with you, of course,” James said quickly. “Ill visit, pay supportitll be civil.”
“Civil,” she repeated. “So youve planned it all.”
“Olivia” Laura reached for her. “I know I betrayed you. But this is real”
“Shut up.” Olivias whisper was venomous. “Dont you *dare* speak to me about love. Or friendship. Ever again.”
She turned to James. “And youyou took everything. Not just yourself. My best friend. My trust. My *faith* in people.”
She dialled Sophie. “You were right,” she said hoarsely when the line connected. “Every word.”
The drive to Sophies was a blur. Inside, she collapsed into sobsugly, gasping things that tore from her chest.
When the storm passed, Sophie handed her tea. “Tell me everything.”
Olivia did. Sophie listened, nodding, her expression unreadable.
“You know whats strange?” Olivia said at last. “I dont feel destroyed. Betrayed, yes. But not broken.”
“Because youre stronger than you know,” Sophie murmured. “What now?”
“I dont know. Pack Jamess things. Talk to the kids when theyre back from Mums.”
Sophie hesitated. “Liv theres something else. About Laura.”
Olivia stiffened. “What now?”
“Last year, when you and James nearly split over that colleague of his? Laura was so *supportive*. Said he wasnt worth your tears.”
“And?”
“She was texting *him* the whole time,” Sophie said quietly. “Offering to help save your marriage. James told mehe didnt know how to handle it.”
Olivias hands clenched. “Why tell me this now?”
“Because Lauras not who you think,” Sophie said. “Shes been competing with you for years. Your job. Your car. Your *life*. And now your husband.”
Olivias phone rangJames.
“Answer it,” Sophie said softly. “Put it on speaker.”
She did.
“Liv? Where are you?” His voice was taut.
“At Sophies.” She watched Sophies face.
A pause. “*Sophies?*” His tone shifted. “Listen to me. Get out. Now.”
“What? Why?”
“Because she set this up,” James said urgently. “She called Laura, pretended to be *you*, said wed fought and I was coming over”
Sophie lunged for the phone. “Hes lying! Its *Laura* whos been after him!”
“Sophie?” Jamess voice turned cold. “So youre there. Liv, shes been obsessed for months. I turned her down, and now shes trying to ruin us.”
“Liar!” Sophies eyes blazed. “Ask him where he was this morning!”
“At Lauras,” James said evenly. “Because *Sophie* rang her, claiming there was an emergency. When I got there, Laura was confusedweve been trying to reach you all day.”
Olivias vision swam. Sophies face had gone pale.
“Hes making this up,” she whispered. “Dont believe him, Liv.”
“Then why did you say you saw his car at Lauras last night?” Olivia demanded. “Why insist theyve been together for months?”
“Because its *true*!” Sophies voice cracked. “I was protecting you!”
“Olivia,” James cut in. “Come home. Well figure this out together.”
Olivia stood. Sophie grabbed her wrist.
“Dont!” she pleaded. “They just want to discredit me! You *saw* themthey *admitted* it!”
“Let go, Sophie.” Olivia pulled free. “Im going to my husband.”
Sophie blocked the door. “You dont understand,” she said, desperation bleeding into her words. “Hes never loved you like you deserve. But *I* have. Since uni. And then Laura with her perfect little life”
Olivia recoiled. “*What?*”
“Its always been you,” Sophie said simply. “And I couldnt watch you waste yourself on them anymore.”
The world tilted. Olivia lifted the phone. “James, Im coming. Meet me outside Lauras.”
“Liv, *please*” Sophie reached for her.
“Goodbye, Sophie.” Olivia stepped around her and left.
The autumn air was sharp, cleansing. For the first time in months, her mind was clearthe fog of deceit burned away.
She started the car. Her phone rang againLaura this time.
“Liv? James told me you were at Sophies”
“Im not anymore,” Olivia said. “Im coming to you.”
Laura exhaled shakily. “Thank God. Sophie called this morning, saying such awful thingsthat your husband was *hers* now”
“I know,” Olivia interrupted. “Well talk face to face.”
She hung up and pulled away. Leaves spiraled past the windshield, golden in the brittle light. Autumn had stripped everything bareincluding the truth.
