**”Your husband is mine now,”** whispered her best friend down the phone.
**”Have you seen my blue scarf? The one with the fringe that Simon brought back from Italy?”** Marina rummaged through the wardrobe, tossing clothes onto the bed. **”I cant find it anywhere.”**
**”Check the hallway, maybe its there,”** Vera replied absently, not looking up from her phone.
**”Ive looked everywhere. Its vanished,”** Marina huffed, slamming the wardrobe shut. **”Im supposed to meet Natalie for her anniversary party and wanted to wear it with my new coat.”**
Vera finally glanced up, studying her friend. Marina was beautiful even nowhair tousled, wearing an old T-shirt and jeans, chestnut waves spilling over her shoulders, green eyes flecked with gold.
**”Maybe you left it at Rachels last Friday? You went to the theatre together,”** Vera suggested, standing.
**”Oh! Youre right!”** Marina brightened. **”Id forgotten. Ill call her now.”**
While Marina searched for her phone, Vera walked to the window. From the fifth floor, she could see the quiet courtyard below, where a groundskeeper lazily swept fallen leaves. Autumn had fully settled in, painting London in gold and crimson.
**”Rachels not answering,”** Marina said, joining Vera by the window. **”Thats oddwe agreed to meet before Natalies party.”**
**”Maybe shes busy,”** Vera shrugged, eyes fixed on her phone as a new message flashed. **”You know Rachelalways running last-minute errands.”**
Marina laughed. **”True. Remember how she nearly missed my wedding? Simon was convinced my bridesmaid wouldnt show.”**
At the mention of her husband, Vera stiffened slightly, but Marina didnt notice, lost in memory.
**”Wheres Simon, by the way? Havent heard from him,”** Vera asked casually.
**”Fishing with his mates,”** Marina waved a hand. **”Second weekend in a row. Says the bites good this time of year.”**
**”Does he go often?”** Vera kept her voice neutral.
**”Lately, yes,”** Marina sighed. **”Work, fishing, corporate events you know how it isautumns busy for financiers.”**
Vera nodded and buried herself in her phone again. The screen lit up: **”Changed your mind? Last chance to stop this.”**
She typed a quick reply: **”No. Proceed as planned.”**
**”Who are you texting?”** Marina peered over her shoulder. **”Youve been off all day.”**
Vera flinched and locked the screen.
**”Just work. No peace, even on Saturdays,”** she forced a smile. **”Maybe the scarfs in the car?”**
**”The car?”** Marina paused. **”Right! I was wearing it when Simon dropped us after the theatre. Probably left it there.”**
She grabbed her keys and headed for the door.
**”Ill come with you,”** Vera offered abruptly. **”Need some air.”**
Outside, the air was crisp with the scent of damp leaves. Marina unlocked their family **Volvo** and searched the back seat.
**”Thats odd,”** she muttered, straightening up. **”I swore it was here.”**
Vera watched silently, chewing her lip. Her phone buzzed again, but she ignored it.
**”Marina,”** she finally said, voice strange. **”Have you noticed Simons been different lately?”**
**”Different how?”** Marina shut the car door, turning to her.
**”All these trips, fishing”** Vera met her gaze. **”Nothing suspicious?”**
Marina frowned. **”What are you implying, Vera? If you know something, say it.”**
Vera inhaled deeply, as if steeling herself. **”Ive wanted to talk to you. I think no, Im sure Simons cheating.”**
Marina froze, eyes wide. Then she laughed sharply. **”Simon? On me? Weve been together ten years, Vera. Two kids. He doesnt even look at other women!”**
**”Are you sure?”** Vera murmured.
Something in her tone made Marina hesitate. **”Vera, what do you know? Tell me.”**
Vera looked away. **”Remember last Friday? You and Rachel went to the theatre, Simon drove you?”**
**”Yes. And?”**
**”He didnt go straight home.”** Vera chose her words carefully. **”I saw his car at Rachels. Late. And still there in the morning.”**
Marina felt the ground tilt beneath her.
**”Youre wrong,”** she shook her head. **”Simon just dropped her off. She called me after, thanking us for the evening.”**
**”Marina,”** Vera gripped her shoulder. **”His car was there until eight. I saw him leave her flat. Same clothes.”**
Marina shoved her hand away. **”I dont believe you. Why would you lie? Simon said he stayed at his parentshe wouldnt”**
**”Call him,”** Vera cut in. **”Right now. Ask where he is.”**
Marina hesitated, then dialled. The call went to voicemail.
**”Hes not answering,”** she stared at the screen. **”Probably no signal by the lake.”**
**”Or hes busy,”** Vera said meaningfully. **”With Rachel.”**
**”Stop it!”** Marina snapped. **”Rachels my best friend. Shed never”**
Her throat closed as she remembered Rachel hadnt answered either.
**”I didnt want to tell you,”** Vera continued. **”But its not just that night. Theyve been seeing each other for months. Every time Simons fishing or at work events.”**
Marina leaned against the car, nausea rising.
**”No,”** she whispered. **”Not Rachel. Weve been friends since uni. She knows how much I love him”**
Vera pulled her into a hug. **”Come to mine,”** she urged. **”Dont be alone right now.”**
Marina shook her head. **”No. I need to talk to Rachel. Now.”**
**”Are you sure?”** Vera looked uneasy. **”Wait until youve calmed down.”**
**”I am calm,”** Marina straightened, steel in her eyes. **”I want the truth from her.”**
They returned to the flat in silence. Marina grabbed her keys and bag, heading for the door.
**”Im coming,”** Vera said.
**”No,”** Marina cut her off. **”This is between me and Rachel. Ill call you later.”**
Alone, Vera paced. Her phone buzzeda call this time.
**”Yes,”** she answered quietly. **”Its working. Shes on her way.”**
Twenty minutes later, Marina parked outside Rachels flat. Her pulse pounded in her ears. She didnt want to believe Vera, but doubt had already taken root.
Then she saw itSimons **Volvo XC90**, parked where it always was when they visited.
**”Vera was right,”** the thought burned through her.
Marina took the lift to the fourth floor and rang the bell. Rachel answeredhair damp, in a robe, startled.
**”Marina? What are you”**
**”Can I come in?”** Marinas voice was icy.
Rachel hesitated, glancing behind her. **”I was just heading out”**
**”Let me in, Rachel,”** Marinas tone brooked no argument. **”Or shall I ask Simon to join us? I saw his car.”**
Rachels face changed. She stepped aside.
The living room was emptybut two coffee cups sat on the table. A familiar shirtone shed bought Simonlay draped over the sofa.
**”Where is he?”** Marina demanded.
**”Marina, let me explain”** Rachel twisted her robe belt. **”Its not what you think.”**
**”Not what I think?”** Marina laughed bitterly. **”Then what should I think? His cars here. His shirts on your sofa. Hes supposed to be fishing.”**
Just then, Simon emerged from the bathroom, towel drying his hair. He froze.
**”Marina?”**
**”Hello, darling,”** Marina crossed her arms. **”Catch anything?”**
Simon paled, looking between her and Rachel. **”Marina, listen”**
**”No, you listen,”** Marina fought back tears. **”How long? And who else knows?”**
A silent exchange passed between Simon and Rachel.
**”Two months,”** Rachel admitted softly. **”It just happened, Marina. We never meant to hurt you.”**
**”Just happened?”** Marinas laugh cracked. **”How does sleeping with my husband just happen?”**
**”Marina,”** Simon stepped forward. **”We were going to tell you. Today. Thats why I said I was fishingto talk to Rachel first.”**
**”And what did you decide?”** Marinas insides turned to ice.
**”Were in love,”** Simon said simply. **”I want a divorce.”**
The words hit harder than a slap. Marina staggered, gripping a chair.
**”In love,”** she echoed. **”What about our children? Our ten years?”**
**”The kids stay with you,”** Simon said quickly. **”Ill visit, support them. Itll be civil.”**
**”Civil,”** Marina repeated. **”So youve planned it all.”**
**”Marina,”** Rachel reached for her. **”I 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 Simon: **”Youve taken everything. Not just yourselfmy best friend. My trust. My faith in people.”**
She pulled out her phone and dialled. **”Vera?”** she said when the call connected. **”You were right. Completely right.”**
Outside, Marina broke down in the car, sobbing uncontrollably. When the tears finally stopped, she wiped her face and started the engine. Her phone showed missed calls from Simonnone from Rachel. But there was a text from Vera:
**”Come to mine. Dont be alone.”**
Vera embraced her the moment she arrived. Her flat had always felt like a sanctuary, and now more than ever.
**”Tell me everything,”** Vera said, handing her tea.
Marina recounted the confrontation. Vera listened, nodding, shaking her head at times.
**”The strangest part?”** Marina finished. **”I dont feel destroyed. Betrayed, yes. But not broken. Maybe part of me knew?”**
**”Or youre stronger than you think,”** Vera said softly. **”What now?”**
**”I dont know,”** Marina admitted. **”Pack Simons things. Talk to the kids when theyre back from Mums. Then well see.”**
Vera suddenly took her hand. **”Marina theres something else. About Simon and Rachel.”**
**”What now?”** Marina groaned.
**”Remember last year? When you nearly divorced over that colleague of his?”**
**”Yes. Whats that got to do with this?”**
**”Rachel supported you then,”** Vera continued. **”Told you Simon wasnt worth your tears. That you deserved better.”**
**”And?”**
**”At the same time, she started texting Simon,”** Vera met her gaze. **”Suggesting they meet to save your marriage.”**
Marinas anger flared. **”How do you know?”**
**”From Simon,”** Vera said simply. **”He told me because he didnt know what to do. He rejected her. Said he loved only you.”**
**”Until he didnt,”** Marina scoffed bitterly.
**”Its not that simple,”** Vera shook her head. **”Rachel isnt who you think. For years, shes wanted what you have. First the jobremember when she joined his firm? Then the same car. A house in your neighbourhood. And now your husband.”**
Marina tried to process this. **”Youre saying she planned this?”**
**”I dont know,”** Vera admitted. **”But the patterns there. And Marina theres more.”**
She showed a photo on her phoneRachel hugging a man who wasnt Simon.
**”Whos that?”** Marina frowned.
**”Her ex,”** Vera said. **”They met last week. When Simon was supposedly with her.”**
**”I dont understand,”** Marina shook her head. **”If she was with him, where was Simon?”**
Vera took a deep breath. **”He was with me,”** she said quietly. **”We were at a café, planning your birthday surprise.”**
**”What?”** Marina stared. **”But you said”**
**”I lied,”** Vera looked down. **”I had to open your eyes. Rachels manipulating you both.”**
**”Why?”** Marina was lost. **”Why lie like this?”**
**”So youd see for yourself,”** Vera squeezed her hand. **”So youd believe it.”**
**”Wait,”** Marina pulled back. **”So Simon hasnt been cheating? Theyre not getting divorced?”**
**”Simon hasnt betrayed you,”** Vera confirmed. **”But Rachel wants him. And today”**
**”Today I confronted them,”** Marina covered her face. **”God, what have I done? I need to call Simon”**
**”Wait,”** Vera stopped her. **”Think. If they really were together when you arrived, if they confessed maybe its not so simple? Maybe Im wrong?”**
Marinas phone rang. Simons name flashed.
**”I have to answer,”** she stood.
**”Of course,”** Vera nodded, smiling strangely. **”Put it on speaker. I want the truth too.”**
Marina answered. **”Simon?”** He sounded tense.
**”Where are you? Ive been worried.”**
**”At Veras,”** she said, watching Veras reaction.
A pause. **”Veras?”** His voice sharpened. **”Marina, listen carefully. Get out of there. Now.”**
**”What? Why?”**
**”Because Vera isnt who you think,”** Simon said urgently. **”She set this up. She called Rachel, pretended to be you, said wed fought and I was coming over”**
Marina turned slowly to Vera, whose smile had vanished.
**”Simon, what rubbish!”** Vera snapped at the phone. **”Rachels the one having an affair with you!”**
**”Vera?”** Simons tone darkened. **”So youre there. Marina, listen. Veras been obsessed with me for months. She confessed her feelingsI rejected her. Now shes trying to destroy us.”**
**”Hes lying!”** Vera cried. **”Ask him where he was this morning!”**
**”At Rachels,”** Simon said calmly. **”Because Vera called her, pretending to be you, saying there was an emergency. When I got there, nothing was wrong. Rachel was horrified. We tried calling youyour phone was off.”**
Marinas head spun. She looked at Vera, who had gone pale.
**”Hes making this up,”** Vera whispered. **”Dont believe him, Marina.”**
**”Then why did you say you saw Simons car at Rachels last night?”** Marina demanded. **”Why claim theyve been meeting for months?”**
**”Because its true!”** Vera looked desperate. **”I was protecting you!”**
**”Marina,”** Simons voice was firm. **”Come home. Or to meIm still at Rachels. Well figure this out together.”**
**”Dont you dare!”** Vera grabbed Marinas arm. **”Theyre twisting this against me! You saw themthey admitted it!”**
**”Vera, let go,”** Marina pulled free. **”Im going to my husband.”**
She moved toward the door, but Vera blocked her.
**”You dont understand,”** Veras voice cracked. **”Hes never loved you like you deserve. You could have so much more. We could”**
**”We?”** Marina stepped back. **”What are you saying?”**
**”Us,”** Vera said simply. **”Ive loved you since uni. You chose Simon. Then Rachel with her perfect life”**
Marina felt the floor sway. She raised the phone. **”Simon, Im coming. Be there in twenty.”**
**”Ill meet you downstairs,”** he said, relieved.
**”Marina, dont go,”** Vera begged. **”We can talk. I just wanted you to seethey dont deserve you”**
**”Goodbye, Vera,”** Marina walked out.
Outside, the cool air cleared her head. The world felt unreal, yet for the first time, everything made sense.
She got in the car. Her phone rang againRachel this time.
**”Marina? Are you okay? Simon said you were at Veras”**
**”Not anymore,”** Marina said. **”Im coming to you.”**
**”Thank God,”** Rachel exhaled. **”We were so scared. Vera called me this morning, saying such strange things that your husband was hers now”**
**”I know,”** Marina cut her off. **”Well talk when I get there.”**
She hung up and drove off. Leaves swirled in the wind, sticking to the windshield. Autumn had arrived, stripping away illusions, revealing the truth beneath.
