Emily shouts, Wait, James! I havent cheated on you, you hear me? Do you want me to swear on my life? Or on my mother?
James rushes down the stairs after his wife, his voice echoing through the hallway. He doesnt care that a few nosy neighbours stick their heads out of their doors, watching the domestic drama with a sick curiosity, nor that most of the buildings residents quietly listen to the shouting, peeking through the peephole.
Emily darts out of the block, jumps into a black cab and disappears so fast that James only manages a fleeting glance at his departing wife.
It all began three months ago, when Jamess life starts spiralling downwards. A colleague with whom he has always kept a strictly professional relationship, Claire, suffers a personal tragedy a failed pregnancy and a looming divorce. After months of rehab she returns to the office, but she is a completely different woman.
Listen, I cant put up with this any longer, James says, his frustration bubbling over as he bursts into the directors office. Shes been stalking me for a month. She calls at night, texts, even showed up at my flat a few times. The director merely chuckles.
People fall in love all the time, what can you do? I dont see any crime here, he replies.
But I havent done anything! We only ever talked about work. Now my marriage is crumbling because of Claire, James nearly shouts.
What do you expect from me? Claires a fine employee, but whatevers happening outside work isnt my business, the director shrugs.
James teeters on the brink of despair. He tried to ignore it at first, to pretend everything was fine, but that façade finally cracks. Tension erupts between James and Emily, and Emily starts doubting her husbands fidelity. She cant believe a woman could orchestrate all those ambiguous messages, hints, and photos.
Emily, please, Ive never cheated. Ive never even thought about it, James pleads.
You realise how your words sound now, amid all those messages? Do you think Im a simpleton who cant add two plus two? Emily retorts coldly.
Its all deliberate on her part. I block her number, she writes from another. I cant stop her, shes a nightmare for the sales figures. What do I do? How do I prove Im clean? James asks.
I dont know, James. Honestly, Im exhausted. Three months of this and I no longer trust you. Too many coincidences, too many Claire sightings in our lives Emily sighs.
Enough! Shes not mine. I dont need her! James snaps.
Emily wonders, Why cant I believe him? I used to trust him completely. But the texts, the calls too many coincidences. Claire is everywhere James goes. Randomness feels scripted. How often do men cheat while convincing their wives theyre just being paranoid? I dont want to be that paranoid fool
She remembers once catching James nervously deleting messages. She never saw what he erased, but she did catch a glimpse of him removing photos.
Then he starts staying late at work, becoming irritable and withdrawn.
Maybe Im just paranoid, Emily asks herself.
Claire acts like a seasoned strategist. In the past she was a sweet, quiet woman. She married, went on maternity leave, then a rumor spreads that Claire suffered a nervous breakdown and was hospitalised after a medically advised miscarriage, her husband leaving her.
Back at the office Claire initially behaves as before, then begins to give James subtle attention harmless compliments, casual hallway encounters. James shrugs it off.
Eventually Claire storms into James and Emilys life like a gale, ripping apart the trust they built over years.
James and Emily start accidentally bumping into Claire at the local Tesco, even though she lives in a different neighbourhood. Claire joins the same gym as James, interjecting bizarre comments into his phone calls: Youre as cute as a kitten or Ive made you a coffee, why wont you come over?
One day Claire arranges a chance meeting at James and Emilys block.
James, could you help? My neighbour upstairs wont answer, Ive only got two percent battery left and Im scared I wont get a cab. Are you home? Please come down if you can, she purrs from a new number.
Emily, not wanting to abandon a stranger late at night, watches from the window. When Claire sees James emerging from the lift, she lunges onto his neck and clings for ages. Thats enough for Emily.
Later that night James receives a message on his phone. Emily, unable to sleep, reads it and a chill runs down her spine:
Thanks for coming, otherwise someone would have been watching you. Ill be late by half an hour tomorrow as we agreed.
James you were supposed to visit a friend tomorrow, Emily whispers, baffled.
For the first time she replies, Well talk in the morning. Im asleep now. Ill call you. The reply comes instantly: Got it. Im waiting for your call. You know Im always here!
Emily sits stunned, unsure how to react. At dawn she decides to stay with her sister for a while, to think things through away from James and Claire.
James wakes to the jingle of keys. His phone lies on the pillow. Sensing something amiss, he leaps out of bed, darts to the front door, tries desperately to stop his wife from leaving, then rushes back inside, pacing like a cornered animal. The situation feels absurd.
Emily doesnt answer his calls. Her sister asks James not to disturb her.
Days stretch on endlessly. James feels lost, knowing he must prove his innocence and win back his wifes trust.
After a week he finally musters the courage. He calls Emilys sister and asks for a meeting with Emily.
Emily, please give me one chance. I know you dont believe me, but I have something that can change everything. After this meeting youll decide whether we stay together or part forever.
After long pleading, Emily agrees.
They drive in total silence. James watches the road, occasionally glancing at Emily. She tries to read the twilight scenery outside the window.
Emily, I need to ask you something James says, pulling up in front of an ordinary terraced house. I want to blindfold you. Well walk a short distance. Please trust me.
Emily looks at him skeptically but consents. James guides her gently, supporting her elbow. Inside a building, the smell of fresh paint hits Emilys nose.
Are we on a construction site? she asks, a hint of tension in her voice.
Not exactly
James lifts the blindfold. Dim light reveals an old school sports hall the very place where their story began.
In the centre, on a bench, lies a bouquet of white lilies. Emily freezes.
Emily, do you know the moment I realised I was in love with you?
She stays silent, eyes drifting to the high ceiling. James continues.
It wasnt when we started dating after the graduation ball.
When then? Emily asks suddenly.
I transferred to this school in Year Ten, remember? I missed a few days and was tossed straight into PE. I walked in not knowing anyone. In the corner, I saw you, cheeks flushed from volleyball, a ponytail with damp curls bouncing. You laughed in a way that was contagious Thats when I knew Id love you forever.
James speaks, Emily listens, fighting back tears. She hadnt recalled that moment; she never knew James had memorised every detail after all these years. Something soft thaws inside her.
He tells how he was terrified to approach, gathering courage for months before finally asking her out, thanking fate every day for leading him to that school, that hall.
I have never betrayed you, James whispers, taking her hands. All this time Ive only been yours
A tear rolls down her cheek. She looks into his eyes and sees the same sincerity, the same love that sparked years ago.
Im ready to do anything: quit my job, make sure Claire leaves hers, move towns or even countries, just so you believe I never cheated on you!
They stand in that old sports hall, where their love first sparked, understanding that true love cant be shattered, even if someone tries to poison their happiness.
