Emily, waithold on, Im not cheating on you, alright? Swear on my life! You think Im being a liar?
Tom was barreling down the stairs after his wife, shouting at the top of his lungs. He didnt even notice a few nosy neighbours peeking through their doors, eyebrows raised, watching the drama unfold. And the rest of the building? Everyone was quietly hanging on his shouts, trying to see what the fuss was about.
Emily bolted out of the lift, jumped into a black cab and sped off. Tom barely had time to watch her disappear down the road before the doors slammed shut.
It all started three months ago, when Toms life began to go sideways. A colleague hed only ever worked with, Claire, had just suffered a nightmare pregnancy and a rapid divorce. After months of recovery she returned to the office, but she wasnt the same woman any more.
Listen, I cant take this any longer, Tom blurted into the managers office one evening, clearly fed up. Shes been stalking me for a monthcalling at night, texting, even turning up at my flat a few times. He slammed the door and let his frustration out.
The manager just laughed. It happens, he said. Shes got a crush, what can you do? Nothing criminal about it.
But Ive done nothing! Tom snapped. We only ever talked about work. Now my marriage is falling apart because of Claire. He was practically shouting.
The boss shrugged. What do you expect from me? Im fine with Claire as an employee, but whatevers happening outside the office isnt my business.
Tom was on the brink. Hed tried to ignore it, pretend everything was fine, but the façade was cracking. Tensions rose between him and Emily, and she started doubting his loyalty. She couldnt believe a woman could engineer all those cryptic messages, hints, and photos.
Emily, please, I swear Ive never cheated, Tom pleaded, voice shaking. I never even thought about it.
She replied coolly, You realise all your words sound like excuses when Ive got all these messages? Do you think Im that clueless?
Its all Claires doing. I block her number, she just uses another. Im stuck, I cant prove Im clean. Toms frustration boiled over.
Emily sighed, Im exhausted, Tom. Its been three months. I dont trust you any more. There are too many coincidences, too many Clairemoments in our lives.
He snapped, Shes not mine. I dont need her!
She muttered, I dont know, Tom I really dont know.
Emily wondered why she couldnt trust him any longer. Shed once caught him secretly deleting messages, and shed seen him wipe out some photos. Since then hed been staying late at work, snapping shorttempered, withdrawn.
Maybe Im just being paranoid, she thought.
Claire, on the other hand, was playing it like a seasoned strategist. Shed once been a quiet, sweet woman who got married, went on maternity leave, then suffered a miscarriage that sent her husband packing. When she got back, she started sending harmless little flirts to Tomcompliments in the hallway, a friendly wink. He brushed it off.
Then Claire went fullforce, like a storm tearing through their trust. She started showing up at the local Tesco, at the same gym as Tom, slipping into his phone calls with cheeky lines like Youre as cute as a kitten or Ive made you a coffee, why arent you coming over?
One afternoon she called from a new number, sounding almost angelic. Tom, could you help? My neighbour isnt answering, Ive only got two percent battery, Im terrified I wont get a cab. Could you come down? She pretended to be a friend in the next block.
Emily rolled her eyes, but she didnt want to leave a stranger hanging late at night, even if she was still trusting her husband. She watched from the window as Tom rushed down the stairs, and Claire threw herself around his neck, clinging like a child. Emilys doubts solidified.
Later that night Toms phone buzzed. Emily, unable to sleep, opened the message and felt a chill run down her spine: Thanks for coming. Shes probably watching you. Ill be late by half an hour, as we said.
Tom werent you supposed to be at a friends tomorrow? she whispered to herself, stunned.
She finally typed a reply, something shed never done before: Well talk in the morning. Im asleep now. Ill call you. The reply came instantly: Got it. Cant wait to hear from you. You know Im always here.
Emily sat frozen, the sunrise finding her at a crossroads. She decided to stay with her sister for a while, to think things through away from Tom and Claire.
The next morning Tom woke to the sound of keys jangling. His phone lay on the pillow. Sensing something was off, he leapt out of bed, sprinted to the front door, and in a panic tried to stop Emily from leaving. He returned to the flat, pacing like a caged animal, the whole scene absurdly surreal.
Emily ignored his calls. Her sister asked Tom to give her space. Days dragged on endlessly. Tom felt lost, knowing he had to prove his innocence and win back his wifes trust.
A week later he finally mustered the courage to call Emilys sister and ask for a meeting with Emily.
Emily, please give me one chance. I know you dont believe me, but I have something that could change everything. After this meeting youll decide whether we stay together or part ways forever.
After a long, heartfelt plea, Emily agreed.
They drove in silence. Tom kept his eyes on the road, stealing sideglances at Emily, who tried to read the dimming landscape outside.
Emily, I need to ask you something, Tom said as they pulled up in front of an ordinary terrace house. I want to blindfold you. Well walk a bit, but please trust me.
She looked skeptical but went along. Tom guided her gently, supporting her elbow. Inside a building, the scent of fresh paint hit Emilys nose.
Are we at a construction site? she asked, a little nervous.
Not exactly, Tom replied, pulling off the blindfold. A pale light illuminated an old school gymthe very place where their love story began.
In the centre of the gym, on a bench, lay a bouquet of white lilies. Emily froze.
Emily, do you know the exact moment I realised I was in love with you? Tom began.
She stayed silent, staring at the high ceiling. He continued, Not when we started dating after the prom. It was back when I transferred to this school in Year Ten. I missed a few days and ended up in P.E. class, didnt know anyone. In the corner, I saw youblushing after a volleyball match, a ponytail of damp curls, laughing in that infectious way. Thats when I knew Id fallen for you forever.
Emilys eyes welled up. She hadnt remembered that day, but Toms words painted it so clearly. He went on, describing how hed mustered the courage over months to ask her out, thanking fate for bringing him to that gym.
Ive never cheated on you, Tom whispered, taking her hands. All this time Ive only ever been yours.
A single tear rolled down Emilys cheek. She looked into Toms eyes and saw the same honesty that had first drawn her in years ago.
Im ready to do anything quit my job, get Claire out of work, move town, even move abroadjust to prove I havent betrayed you, he said, voice thick with emotion.
They stood together in that dusty gym, the place where their story had begun, and both understood that true love can survive even the fiercest storm.
