“Your husband is mine now,” whispered her best friend down the phone.
“Have you seen my blue scarf? The one with the fringe that Steven brought back from Italy?” Marina was tearing through the wardrobe, tossing clothes onto the bed. “I cant find it anywhere.”
“Check the hallway, maybe its there,” replied Vera absently, not looking up from her phone.
“Ive looked everywhere, its vanished into thin air,” Marina huffed, slamming the wardrobe door. “Im going to Natalies anniversary party tonight, wanted to wear it with my new coat.”
Vera finally looked up, studying her friend. Marina was beautiful even nowdishevelled, in an old t-shirt and jeans, her chestnut waves tumbling over her shoulders, golden flecks dancing in her green eyes.
“Maybe you left it at Claires last Friday? You went to the theatre together,” Vera suggested, standing from the sofa.
“Oh! Youre right!” Marina lit up. “Completely forgot. Ill ring her now.”
While Marina searched for her phone, Vera walked to the window. From the fifth floor, she had a view of the quiet courtyard where the caretaker was lazily sweeping fallen leaves. Autumn had fully settled in, painting London in gold and crimson.
“Claires not answering,” Marina sighed, joining her by the window. “So strangewe agreed to meet before Natalies party.”
“Probably busy,” Vera shrugged, eyes fixed on her phone as a new message flashed. “You know Clairealways running last-minute errands.”
Marina laughed. “God, remember when she showed up five minutes before my wedding? Steven nearly panicked thinking his best man wouldnt turn up.”
At the mention of her husband, Vera tensed slightly, but Marina didnt notice, lost in the memory.
“Speaking of Steven, where is he? Havent heard a peep,” Vera asked casually.
“Fishing with his mates,” Marina waved a hand. “Second weekend in a row. Says the catch is best this time of year.”
“Does he go often?” Vera kept her voice light.
“Lately, yeah.” Marina sighed. “Work, fishing trips, office parties… You know how it isautumns always hectic for finance blokes.”
Vera nodded and buried herself in her phone again. The screen glowed with a message: “Changed your mind? Last chance to stop this.”
She typed a quick reply: “No. Proceeding as planned.”
“Whore you texting?” Marina peered over her shoulder. “Youve been off all day.”
Vera flinched and hastily switched off the screen. “Just work. Cant even leave me alone on a Saturday,” she forced a smile. “Waitmaybe the scarfs in the car?”
“The car?” Marina paused. “Oh! I was wearing it when Steven dropped me and Claire back from the theatre. Must still be there.”
She grabbed her keys and headed for the door.
“Ill come with you,” Vera said suddenly. “Fancy some fresh air.”
Outside, the air was crisp, heavy with the scent of damp leaves. Marina unlocked their family Volvo and rummaged through the back seat.
“Odd,” she muttered, straightening up. “I was sure itd be here.”
Vera watched silently, biting her lip. Her phone buzzed again, but she ignored it.
“Marina,” she finally said, her voice odd. “Have you noticed Stevens been acting differently lately?”
“How so?” Marina shut the car door and turned.
“All these trips, the fishing” Vera met her eyes. “Nothing seems off to you?”
Marina frowned. “Whatre you getting at, Vera? If you know something, just say it.”
Vera took a deep breath. “Ive been meaning to talk to you. I think no, I *know* Stevens cheating.”
Marina froze, staring. Then she burst out laughing. “*Steven?* On *me*? Vera, youre mad! Weve been together ten years, weve got two kids. He doesnt even *look* at other women.”
“You sure?” Vera asked softly.
Something in her tone made Marinas stomach drop.
“Vera. What do you know? *Tell me.*”
Vera looked away. “Remember last Friday? You and Claire went to the theatre, Steven drove you.”
“Yeah. And?”
“He didnt go straight home.” Vera spoke slowly, choosing her words. “I saw his car outside Claires. Late that night.”
The ground seemed to tilt under Marina.
“Youre wrong,” she whispered. “Steven just dropped Claire off and left. She rang me *herself* to thank me for the evening.”
“Marina.” Vera touched her shoulder. “His car was there till *morning*. I saw him leave her flat. At *eight*. In the same clothes.”
Marina shoved her hand away. “I dont believe you. Why would you lie? Steven said he stayed at his parents because he was out late. Hed *never*”
“Call him,” Vera cut in. “Right now. Ask where he is.”
Marina hesitated, then dialled. The line rang endlessly before voicemail picked up.
“No answer,” she said, confused. “Probably no signal out there.”
“Or hes busy,” Vera murmured. “With Claire.”
“*Stop it!*” Marina snapped. “Claires my *best friend*, shed *never*”
The words died as she remembered: Claire hadnt answered either.
“I didnt want to tell you,” Vera continued. “But Ive seen them together more than once. Theyve been at it for *months*. Every time hes fishing or at a work do.”
Marina leaned against the car, nausea rising.
“No,” she breathed. “Not Claire. Weve been friends since uni. She *knows* how much I love Steven”
Vera pulled her into a hug. “Come back to mine. You shouldnt be alone right now. Well figure this out.”
Marina shook her head. “No. I need to talk to Claire. *Now.*”
“Are you *sure*?” Vera looked uneasy. “At least calm down first?”
“I *am* calm.” Marina straightened, steel in her eyes. “I just want the truth from *her*.”
They went upstairs in silence. Marina snatched her keys and bag, marching to the door.
“Im coming,” Vera said.
“No.” Marinas voice was final. “This is between me and Claire. Ill call you after.”
Alone, Vera paced. Her phone buzzedthis time, a call.
“Yes,” she answered quietly. “Its working. Shes on her way.”
Twenty minutes later, Marina parked outside Claires flat. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt. She didnt *want* to believe Verabut doubt had already taken root.
Then she saw it: Stevens Volvo, parked right where it always was when they visited.
*Vera was right.*
Marina took the lift to the fourth floor and jabbed the buzzer. The door opened slowly. Claire stood therein a dressing gown, hair damp.
“Marina?” She looked stunned. “Whatre you doing here?”
“Can I come in?” Marinas voice was ice.
Claire hesitated, glancing over her shoulder. “II was just heading out. Hair appointment.”
“Let me in, Claire,” Marina said, the edge in her voice sharpening. “Or should I call *Steven*? I saw his car.”
Claires face changed. She stepped aside silently.
The living room was emptybut on the coffee table sat two half-drunk mugs. On the sofa: a shirt Marina had bought Steven for his birthday.
“Where is he?” Marina turned.
“Marina, let me explain,” Claire began, twisting her robe belt. “Its not what you”
“Not *what*?” Marina laughed bitterly. “What *should* I think, seeing my husbands car at your flat, his *shirt* on your sofa, while hes supposedly *fishing*?”
Then the bathroom door opened. Steven stepped out, towel-drying his hair. He froze.
“Marina?”
“Hello, darling,” Marina folded her arms. “Catch anything?”
Stevens gaze darted between her and Claire.
“Marina, listen”
“No, *you* listen.” Marinas voice shook. “How long? And who else *knows*?”
Steven and Claire exchanged a look.
“Two months,” Claire whispered. “It just happened, Marina. We never meant to hurt you.”
“*Happened?*” Marinas laugh was ragged. “How do you *accidentally* sleep with your best friends husband?”
“Marina,” Steven stepped forward. “We were going to tell you. *Today.* Thats why I said I was fishingto talk to Claire, sort things out.”
“And what did you *decide*?” Marina felt numb.
“Were in love,” Steven said simply. “I want a divorce.”
The words hit harder than a slap. Marina staggered, gripping a chair.
“*Love*,” she whispered. “What about our *kids*? Our *ten years*?”
“The kids stay with you, of course,” Steven said quickly. “Ill help, visit. Well keep it civil.”
“*Civil*,” Marina echoed. “So youve got it all worked out.”
“Marina,” Claire reached for her. “I *know* Ive betrayed you. But this is *real*. We couldnt fight it.”
“*Shut up*,” Marina hissed. “Dont you *dare* talk to me about *feelings*. About *friendship*. Ever again.”
She turned to Steven:
“And youyou took *everything*. Not just you. My best friend. My trust. My *faith in people*.”
She pulled out her phone and dialled.
“Vera?” she said when the line picked up. “You were right. *Completely* right.”
Leaving Claires flat, Marina collapsed into the drivers seat and sobbed. Everything shed held back poured outugly, gasping cries. When the tears dried, she wiped her face and started the engine. Her phone showed missed calls from Stevennone from Claire. But there *was* a text from Vera:
*Come to mine. Dont be alone.*
Vera hugged her tight the moment she arrived. Her flat had always felt like a refugetoday more than ever.
“Tell me,” Vera said, handing her tea. “What happened?”
Marina recounted everything. Vera listened, nodding, shaking her head.
“Know whats weird?” Marina finished. “I dont feel *destroyed*. Betrayed? Yes. Hurt? Absolutely. But not broken. Maybe some part of me knew?”
“Or youre stronger than you think,” Vera said gently. “What now?”
“I dont know,” Marina admitted. “Pack Stevens things, I suppose. Talk to the kids when theyre back from Mums. Then figure it out.”
Vera suddenly took her hand.
“Marina. Theres something else. About Steven and Claire.”
“What *now*?” Marina sighed.
“Remember last year? When you two nearly split over that colleague of his?”
“Vaguely. Whats that got to do with?”
“Claire was *so* supportive,” Vera continued. “Said Steven wasnt worth your tears, that you deserved better.”
“And?”
“And the *whole time*, she was making moves on your husband,” Vera said bluntly. “Texting him, calling, offering to talk about your marriage.”
Marinas stomach twisted. “How do you *know* this?”
“From Steven,” Vera said simply. “He told *me* because he didnt know what to do. He turned her down. Said he loved *you*.”
“But caved in the end,” Marina muttered.
Vera shook her head. “Thats not the point. Claires not who you think. Shes spent *years* copying you. First that fancy jobremember when she joined his firm? Then the same *car*. Same *neighbourhood*. And now your *husband*.”
Marina tried to process it.
“Youre saying she *planned* this? All along?”
“I dont *know*,” Vera shrugged. “But the patterns there. And Marina theres more.”
She pulled up a photo on her phone: Claire hugging a man who *wasnt* Steven.
“Whos *that*?” Marina frowned.
“Her ex,” Vera said. “They met up *last week*. The day Steven was with her.”
“I dont If she was with *him*, where was *Steven*?”
Vera took a deep breath.
“He was with *me*,” she said quietly. “At a café, planning your birthday surprise.”
“*What?*” Marina stared. “But you *said*”
“I lied,” Vera looked down. “Im sorry. But you needed to *see* Claire for what she is. Shes playing *both* of you.”
“*Why*?” Marinas head spun.
“So youd *believe* it,” Vera squeezed her hand. “Not brush it off like before, when I tried warning you about her.”
“Wait.” Marina pulled back. “So Steven *isnt* cheating? Theyre *not* splitting up?”
“Not with Claire,” Vera said. “But she *wants* him. And today”
“Today I *confirmed* their affair for them,” Marina covered her face. “*God*, what have I *done*? I need to call Steven”
“*Wait*,” Vera grabbed her. “Think. If they *were* together when you showed up, if they *admitted* it maybe its *true*? Maybe *Im* wrong?”
Marinas phone rang. *Steven.*
“I have to answer,” she stood.
“Of course,” Vera smiled oddly. “Put it on speaker. I want the truth too.”
Marina hit answer.
“Marina? Where are you?” Steven sounded strained. “Ive been worried.”
“At Veras,” she said, watching her friend.
A pause.
“*Veras?*” Stevens voice sharpened. “Marina, listen carefully. Get out of there. *Now.*”
“Why?”
“Because Vera isnt who you think,” he said urgently. “*She* set this up. She called Claire, pretended to be *you*, said wed rowed and I was staying over”
Marina slowly turned to Vera, whose smile had vanished.
“Steven, what rubbish!” Vera snapped at the phone. “*Claires* the one cheating! Ask him where he was this morning!”
“I *was* at Claires,” Steven said calmly. “Because Vera rang *pretending to be you*, saying there was an emergency. When I got there, Claire was *horrified*. Weve been trying to reach you for *hours*.”
Marinas vision swam. Vera had gone pale.
“Hes lying!” Vera whispered. “*Please*, Marina”
“Then why did you *say* you saw his car at Claires overnight?” Marina demanded. “Why claim theyve been at it for *months*?”
“Because its *true*!” Veras voice cracked. “I was *protecting* you!”
“Marina,” Stevens voice was firm. “Come home. Or meet me at Claires. Well sort this *together*.”
“Dont you *dare*!” Vera grabbed Marinas arm. “Theyre *gaslighting* you! You *saw* them! They *confessed*!”
“Vera, *let go*,” Marina wrenched free. “Im going to my husband.”
She headed for the doorbut Vera blocked her.
“You dont *understand*,” Veras voice was desperate. “Hes never loved you *enough*. You deserve *more*! *We* could”
“*We?*” Marina recoiled.
“*Us*,” Vera said simply. “Ive loved you *always*. Since uni. But you chose Steven. Then Claire with her doe eyes”
The world tilted. Marina lifted the phone.
“Steven, Im coming. Be there in twenty.”
“Ill meet you downstairs,” he said in relief.
“Marina, *please*,” Vera begged. “We can *talk*. I just wanted you to seetheyre not *worthy* of you”
“Goodbye, Vera,” Marina stepped around her and left.
Outside, the cold air cleared her head. The world felt unrealbut for the first time in months, her mind was *clear*.
She got in the car. Her phone rang again*Claire.*
“Marina? Its me,” Claire sounded frantic. “Are you okay? Steven said you were at *Veras*”
“Not anymore,” Marina said. “Im coming over.”
“*Thank God*,” Claire exhaled. “We were *terrified*. Vera called me this morning, saying such *weird* things That your husband was *hers* now”
“I know,” Marina cut in. “Well talk face-to-face.”
She hung up and pulled away. Leaves swirled past the windshield. Autumn had arrivedstripping away illusions, leaving only truth.
