Why are you home so early? came a startled voice from the bedroom.
Who called? Its nearly midnight, Paul asked his wife, bewildered.
Oh just my boss, Alice replied hesitantly. Theres an urgent work conference I have to attend.
At midnight? What kind of conference cant wait till morning? Are you sure this is necessary?
Yes, unfortunately. Its one of the biggest events in our industrytop experts, groundbreaking developments. I cant miss it.
But you just flew to that expo in Manchester last month. Theres really no one else they can send?
I dont want to go either, but you know how important this is for my career. Its only for a couple of weeks. You understand, dont you?
Paul frowned. Fine, if its really that important Im just getting used to being alone, and I dont like it. Ill miss you.
Ill miss you too, love. But the sooner I go, the sooner Ill be back. After this, well book a holiday somewhere, just the two of us, Alice said, pressing against him.
Alright, Ill try to hold on for these two weeks.
Two days later, Paul helped Alice load her suitcase into the taxi.
There, Im off! Love youdont miss me too much!
Once inside the cab, Alice took out her phone and opened a familiar number in her messages.
*Ive left the house. Ill be at the airport soon,* she typed.
*Perfect. Im waiting in our room. Cant wait to see youmissed you!* came the reply, peppered with flirtatious emojis.
Alice smirked, glancing at her wedding ring. Once again, she had lied to her devoted husband. But she didnt regret it. Paul was wonderful, but she had grown bored. With Mark, though Just the thought of him made her stomach flutter.
A fortnight of scorching sun, turquoise seas, and dazzling nights with her loverthats what she needed now. The conference was just a convenient excuse. She knew it was wrong, but reason had long since surrendered to the promise of what awaited her.
The island was paradise. Alice lay on the beach, soaking in the atmosphere, watching the waves. She was blissfully happy spending these stolen hours with Mark.
She looked over at himjust out of the water, his toned muscles glistening in the sun. The sight of his wet body drove her wild. She wanted to drag him back to their room and lose herself in him.
A pang of melancholy hit her. These were their last days together. She had told Paul she was attending a work conference, needing a breakeven from him.
Of course, she wasnt planning to divorce him immediately. Not until she had a safe landing spot, somewhere to unpack her suitcase for good.
Mark, she asked, do you think we can make this work? After I leave Paul?
He reclined on the lounger, draping a towel over his shoulders, his rough hand resting on her knee.
Itll be fine. But you should prepare properlymaybe get a solicitor. Dont try to handle it alone.
She didnt like his lack of enthusiasm. She had imagined moving in with him after the divorce, spending weeks tangled together in post-breakup bliss.
That evening, they dined at a seaside restaurant, toasting their last night on the island. But as Alice sipped wine, her thoughts drifted back to Pauland the difficult conversation awaiting her.
To her, Paul was a naive fool, a mamas boy who couldnt see how shamelessly she betrayed him. But divorce would be messy, especially if his mother got involved.
Soon, Ill be free. Ill move in with you, and well be happy, she said, raising her glass.
Woahthat was never part of the deal.
Alice froze. Had they really never discussed this? It felt like ice water had been thrown over her.
We had a great time, sure, but no, youre not moving in. Ive got a wife, two kidsdid I not mention that?
She shook her head slowly, watching him, stunned.
If you want a divorce, thats your business. But Im not wrecking my family. Things are good as they are.
Alice couldnt speak. The rest of the meal passed in silence.
The next day, they headed to the airport.
Alice, dont overthink it. I never promised you anything. This was just a holiday. Besides, my wifes pregnant with our third. Time to be a proper family man.
Right, she said coldly, wishing she could scream.
But he was righthe *had* promised her nothing. The future shed imagined was just her own desperate fantasy.
The flight home was unbearable. Her heart ached with a disappointment so fierce it almost nauseated her.
So youre really not leaving her?
Alice, no sane man leaves his wife for his mistress. If you cheat on your husband, youll cheat on me. I dont need that. My familys happywere having a daughter. You were never part of the plan.
He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. Normally, his touch melted her. Now, she wanted to slap him.
As they disembarked, he said, Well stay in touch.
No, we wont, she replied without looking back.
She hoped hed chase her. Instead, he shrugged and called separate cabs.
By the time her taxi reached the city, Alice was choking back tears. The future shed dreamed of was gone. Shed return home, make peace with Paul, and rebuild their hollow marriage. She couldnt bear to be alone.
She had never been alonealways jumping from one relationship to another, never learning how to stand on her own. Being alone meant being unloved, abandoned.
This trip had been unforgettable. But now it was time to wake up, return to her marriage, and end the affairs that led nowhere. Every man had been temporary. Being alone was terrifying.
The cab stopped outside her building. Alice dragged her suitcase inside, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. Maybe they could salvage thistherapy, a holiday, rekindling what theyd lost.
She slid her key into the lock, turned it twice, and pulled the door open. The sounds that greeted her hit like lightning.
Why are you home so early? Paul stood in the bedroom doorway, startled.
Alice shoved past him and stormed insideonly to freeze. A woman was in their bed, clutching the duvet to her chest.
By all rights, Alice should have collapsed in tears. But fury took over. She grabbed the woman, yanking her onto the floor. A scuffle broke outPaul barely managed to pull Alice away.
How *dare* you? she screamed. Im working, and you bring some tart into our bed? I hate you both!
The terrified woman scrambled for her clothes and fled, dress half-on as she bolted down the stairs.
Paul only let go when he felt Alice go limp.
I know you werent at any conference, he said coldly. You were with Mark. So while you were off playing by the sea, I arranged my own surprise.
His words were brutal. Alice searched his eyes, hoping for an explanationanything to make forgiveness easier.
Silently, she packed a bag and left.
An hour later, she sobbed into her friend Emilys lap, staining her pink dress with tears. Emily stroked her hair, murmuring reassurancesevery marriage had rough patches. True love meant forgiveness.
Alice didnt know how to forgive. Shed sworn she never would. Yet now, crying in Emilys arms, the idea didnt seem so impossible.
By morning, forgiveness felt almost natural. Theyd both been awful. Were these really the same people whod once loved each other so fiercely?
So?
Ill go see him tomorrow. Well talk, figure things out, Alice said, giving herself one more day.
Good. No use crying for months. Youve both reset. Now you know what its like to risk losing everything. Youll make upI bet Ill even be godmother! Emily laughed.
Alice didnt believe her. If Paul had cheated, did love even exist between them? Could a marriage survive without it? Yet theyd been happy oncecomfortable in their routines. Maybe they could push past the pain.
The next day, Alice rehearsed her words on the way to Pauls flat, terrified hed slam the door before she could speak.
She knocked.
Paul opened it, calm. He let her in, put the kettle on.
Alice longed to return to this flat as his wifecoming home from work, making dinner, sharing their lives. But would he even want her now?
Ive thought about it, he said. We should try again. Weve hurt each other, but weve got something worth saving.
She was stunned. She hadnt expected this.
He took her hands. Lets forgive each other. Start fresh. I havent been the best husband, but I want to fix that. Well have a baby, move somewhere bigger, and never do this again.
Alice couldnt speak. She collapsed against him, weeping.
Somehow, the betrayal made them stronger. Alice didnt know how long it would last, but she hoped theyd fight for it. They talked more, planned their future. Neither let themselves think of straying again.
