Taking a break from work, Emily stopped by her favourite café and spotted her husband with another woman, deciding then and there to teach them both a lesson.
Emily sighed as she stepped out of the office building. The day had been one frustration after another. Did James really need those reports right this minute? Tomorrow would have been fine. Stressed, she decided to treat herself to a quick lunch at her usual spot. She pictured enjoying a Caesar salad and a latte, a brief moment of calm in her hectic day.
The café was nearly empty when she walked in. Just as she was about to take her usual seat, she froze. There, at a corner table, sat Jamesher husbandwith a glamorous woman.
Emily felt as if shed been doused in ice water. The woman looked like shed stepped out of a glossy magazineblonde, immaculately dressed, dripping in jewellery. Her makeup was flawless. James was leaning in, talking animatedly, and she laughed, brushing her fingers against his wrist.
Emilys stomach twisted. *So this is how it is, then?* Her first instinct was to march over and make a sceneloud, dramatic, like something from a soap opera. But she stopped herself. No, that would be too easy. She needed something better.
Stepping back, she chose a table where she could still see them clearly. She ordered her salad and coffee but barely touched them, too busy plotting. Pulling out her phone, she dialled James. His phone lit up on the table. He glanced at it, then silenced it without answering. Emily smirked. *Too busy to take my call? Whats so important, then?*
She watched them like a hawk. James whispered something to the blonde, and she giggled, covering her mouth with a manicured hand. A massive diamond ring glittered on her finger.
Emilys chest tightened. She looked away, twisting her napkin in her lap. *Stay calm. Dont panic.* Memories flashed through her mindtheir first date, his awkward proposal, the way hed promised forever. Had it all been a lie?
Just then, a man walked past her tabletall, handsome, with just the right amount of stubble. He looked like he belonged in a cologne advert. An idea struck. She waved him over.
«Excuse me,» she said. He turned, raising an eyebrow.
«Everything alright?» he asked.
«Bit of a strange favour,» Emily began, lowering her voice. «See that man over there? My husband. And, well» She gestured toward the blonde. «Id like to give him a taste of his own medicine. Fancy helping me out?»
The man grinned. «Why not?» He slid into the seat opposite her.
«Im Emily,» she said.
«Oliver,» he replied.
She kept her voice low but made sure her body language was obviousleaning in, laughing at nothing, brushing his hand. She glanced at James. *Good.* Hed noticed. Confusion flickered across his face before he turned back to the blonde, but his shoulders had gone stiff.
Emily kept up the act, even daring to take Olivers hand. He played along perfectly, lacing his fingers with hers. James shot them another look, his expression darkening. The blonde said something, but he barely reacted.
«Youre brilliant at this,» Emily murmured.
«Think hes stewing enough?» Oliver whispered.
«Lets walk past them,» she suggested.
Arm in arm, they made their way toward the exit. As they passed James table, Emily paused.
«Oh, hello, darling!» she said brightly. «Fancy seeing you here! Whos your friend?»
James looked like hed been caught stealing. The blonde frowned, waiting.
«This is» he stammered. «A client. From work.»
The blondes eyes narrowed.
«A *client*?» Emily tilted her head. «Funny, you said you were in meetings all day.»
James clenched his jaw. «Whats this about, Emily? Who the hell is *this*?» He jerked his chin at Oliver.
«Oh, just a friend,» she said sweetly. «Youve got yourswhy cant I have mine?»
The blonde stood abruptly. «Youre married?» she hissed at James. Without waiting for an answer, she snatched up her bag and stormed out.
James threw a handful of notes onto the table. «Brilliant, Em. Bloody brilliant. She was a major investor. This deal was important!»
«Then maybe you shouldve mentioned you had a wife,» Emily shot back.
James glared at Oliver. «And whos he, then?»
«Does it matter?» Emily folded her arms. «Youre the one sneaking around.»
«So you *are* cheating?» James voice was dangerously low.
«Maybe I am,» she lied, defiance in her eyes.
Oliver cleared his throat. «Right, Ill just» He edged toward the door.
James tossed another note onto the table and left without another word.
Emilys hands shook. She called a colleague to cover for her at work, then went straight home. When she opened the door, James was on the sofa, looking exhausted.
«Emily,» he said quietly. «Did you really with that bloke?»
She sat beside him, sighing. «No. Id never even met him before today. I saw you with her, and II just wanted to hurt you.»
James ran a hand through his hair. «Christ, this is a mess. I shouldve told you. That womanshe *was* a client. But I shouldve handled it differently. Im sorry.»
Emily studied him. He looked genuine.
«Promise me,» she said. «No more secrets.»
«I promise.» He pulled her into a hug. «Forgive me, love.»
She relaxed against him, the anger ebbing away. Shed made her point. And in the end, that was all that mattered.
