What are you talking about? Weve been married ten years! What mistress? I have everything I need with you!
Victoria couldnt shake the gnawing suspicion. She felt it in her bonesher husband was cheating. The uncertainty ate at her. One evening, she finally mustered the courage to confront him outright.
She demanded the truth, but he only laughed, shaking his head.
Whats got into you? Ten years, Victoria! Do you really think Id risk everything for some fling? Youre all I need.
James sounded sincere, his smile unforced, his eyes steady. And yetsomething wasnt right.
Victoria wasnt one to leave things to fate. If there was a secret, shed uncover it. But how?
After scouring the internet for advice, she decided to check his phone first. Nothing unusualjust idle chatter with a couple of old schoolmates. Harmless. Still, the unease lingered.
James had never even set a passcode. *Nothing to hide*, he always said. No secret messages, no deleted texts. A bloody saint.
Sometimes, she wondered if she was imagining it all. But every time he came home late from work, that icy dread coiled in her stomach.
Her best friend, Emily, rolled her eyes. Youre paranoid! James adores you. Youre sabotaging your own marriage with these wild theories!
Victoria didnt listen. Her gut screamed otherwise. And the thought of sharing her husband? Unthinkable.
Once, she even stormed into his office, determined to catch him in the act. He was furious. *Embarrassing him in front of his colleagues.* She apologised for days, and eventually, he forgave her.
By all appearances, their life was perfect. A beautiful home in Surrey. Two lovely children. Everything to be grateful for. But Victoria couldnt let it go.
As they saythose who go looking for trouble always find it.
She agonised, as women in their thirties often do, terrified of being left alone with two kids. Outwardly calm, inside, she was a storm.
No lipstick on his collar. No unfamiliar perfume. No sudden changes in routine. And yet*something* was off.
If not for sheer chance, she might never have discovered the truth. Real or imagined? Time would tell.
When their youngest started Year One, Victoria decided to learn to drive. She took evening lessons after work, passed her test in three months. James was so proud, he bought her a carsmall, compact, just her size.
Hed never admit it, but he bought it so she wouldnt ask to borrow his Audi. *Too soon for a car like that*, he said. *Get some experience first.*
Then, one frosty Saturday, she woke early, determined to bake a chicken and aubergine piea family favourite. But she was out of flour.
The roads were icy, but shed learned winter driving by now. A quick trip to Tesco. She rushed to her carbut it wouldnt start.
Quietly, she crept back inside. Everyone still asleep. No point trudging through the snowso she did the unthinkable. Took his keys. *Just a quick drive. Hell never know.*
As the Audi warmed up, she wiped the windows. Reaching into the glovebox for tissues, her fingers brushed somethinga phone clattered to the floor.
Not his. She knew his phone. This one was unfamiliar. Maybe hed picked it up by mistake? But her thumb pressed the power button before she could stop herself.
The first thing she sawa message from *Sophie.*
*My love, I miss you so much! Come over soon. Im waiting.*
Victorias breath hitched. No passcode. She scrolled.
The messages spanned months. Years, even.
James finished work at fivebut never came home before seven. Every single day, he stopped at *Sophies* first. And the things he wrote to herwords Victoria had never heard in a decade of marriage.
The photos showed a woman in her forties. *Why her?*
Rage burned through her. She was about to storm back inside when she saw himJames, striding out of the house.
Shed left a note, saying shed gone shopping. He mustve seized the chance to message *Sophie* again.
Now she rememberedall those evenings hed *forgotten his wallet.* All those quick trips to the car.
James froze when he saw her behind the wheel.
Who said you could take it? We agreed!
Victorias fury exploded. She buckled up, slammed into reverse, and hit the gas. The Audi screeched into the fence behind her. A petty satisfaction.
She stepped out, glaring at his stunned face. Go on, then! Run to her! Lets see how much she wants you when youve got no house, no car!
With that, she hurled his keys into the nearest snowdrift and marched inside.
The boys were awake now, confused. Minutes later, James tried the doorbut shed bolted it.
Go to *her*! Never come back! she shouted.
Defeated, James trudged awayslippers, dressing gown, coat. He went straight to Sophies. Surely *shed* take him in.
But the moment the door opened, a mans voice called from inside.
Sweetheart, you coming back? Ive been waiting.
James only visited Sophie on weekdays. Weekends? Apparently, she had *two* suitors.
She gave him an apologetic shrugthen shut the door in his face.
With nowhere else to go, he dragged himself to his mothers house. Two streets over.
Margaret took one look at him and understood. She fed him, listened to his tale of a *harsh wife* whod thrown him out over nothing, then patted his hand.
Dont fret, love. Who knew Victoria would turn out like this? Your luck will changeyoure only thirty-five! Youll find love again.
So James stayed with his mother, determined to start fresh. He even felt a flicker of reliefuntil Victoria filed for child support. *Then* he realised how hard rebuilding would be.
At least his mother hadnt abandoned him. Otherwise? Hed have been truly lost.
