**Diary Entry 12th June**
*”What are you doing home so early?”* My husband, James, stepped out of the bedroom, looking startled.
*”Who called? Its nearly midnight,”* I asked, frowning at my wife, Eleanor.
*”Oh just my boss,”* she muttered, avoiding my gaze. *”Theres an urgent conferenceI have to fly out for work.”*
*”At midnight? Another conference? Are you sure this cant wait?”*
*”Yes, unfortunately. Its a major event in our field. I cant miss ittop experts, new developments”*
*”But you were just in Manchester last month for that expo. Cant they send someone else?”*
*”I dont want to go either, but you know how important this is for my career. Just two weeks. You understand, dont you?”*
*”Fine, if its really necessary”* I sighed, rubbing my temples. *”Ive gotten used to you being away, and I hate it. Ill miss you.”*
*”Ill miss you too, darling. But the sooner I go, the sooner Ill be back. Then well take a holidayjust the two of us!”* She hugged me tightly.
*”Alright. Ill survive two weeks.”*
Two days later, I helped her load her suitcase into the taxi.
*”All right, Im off! Love youdont miss me too much!”*
As the car pulled away, Eleanor took out her phone and typed a message to a familiar number.
*”Just left home. Be at Heathrow soon.”*
*”Perfect. Im waiting in our room. Cant wait to see youmissed you!”* came the reply, dotted with flirtatious emojis.
Eleanor smirked, glancing at her wedding ring. Another lie to her devoted husband. But she didnt regret it. James was a good man, just dull. Oliver, thoughher stomach fluttered at the thought of him.
Two weeks of scorching sun, turquoise waters, and intoxicating nightsthat was what she needed. The conference was just an excuse. She knew it was wrong, but reason had lost to desire.
The island was paradise. Eleanor lounged on the beach, mesmerised by the waves. Oliver emerged from the water, muscles glistening, and she ached to drag him back to their room.
But melancholy crept inthese were their last days. Shed told James she was at a work retreat, needing a break from him.
*”Oliver,”* she murmured, *”do you think things will go smoothly with James?”*
He draped a towel over his shoulders, his hand lingering on her knee. *”Youll need a solicitor. Dont wing it.”*
His indifference stung. Shed imagined moving in with him, inseparable.
That evening, they dined at a fancy restaurant. Eleanor sipped wine, laughing, but her mind drifted to Jamesand the storm waiting at home.
Shed thought him a fool, blind to her affairs. But divorce? His mother would make it a nightmare.
*”Soon, Ill leave him and well be happy,”* she toasted.
Oliver scoffed. *”That was never the deal.”*
She froze. Theyd never discussed it.
*”We had a great time, but Im not leaving my wife. Two kids, another on the wayyoure not moving in.”*
Eleanors heart hammered. *”You never mentioned them.”*
*”No sane man leaves his family for his mistress. If youll cheat on him, youll cheat on me.”*
The flight home was silent. At Heathrow, he called separate cabs.
*”Well talk,”* he said.
*”No, we wont.”* She didnt look back.
Tears burned her throat. All her fantasiesshattered. She couldnt bear being alone. Her whole life had been a string of relationships.
The taxi stopped at her flat. She dragged her suitcase inside, rehearsing apologies. Maybe therapy. Maybe they could rekindle what theyd lost.
She turned the key.
*”Youre home early,”* James said, startled.
Eleanor shoved past him. A woman scrambled off their bed, clutching the duvet.
Rage erupted. Eleanor lunged, claws out, until James wrestled her back.
*”You bastard! Im working, and you bring some slag home? I hate you both!”*
The girl fled, dressing as she ran.
James finally released Eleanor. *”I know you werent at any conference. You were with Oliver. So I planned a surprise too.”*
His voice was ice. She searched his eyes for forgiveness, but found none.
Wordlessly, she repacked her bag and left.
At her friend Charlottes, she sobbed into her wine. *”How do I forgive him?”*
*”Real love means forgiveness,”* Charlotte soothed.
Eleanor had sworn shed never tolerate betrayal. Yet by morning, the thought of reconciliation didnt seem so impossible.
Theyd both been vile. Were they still the people whod vowed forever?
The next day, she knocked on Jamess door, heart pounding.
He let her in, put the kettle on.
*”Ive thought about it,”* he said. *”We should try again. We hurt each other, but we can rebuild.”*
She stared, stunned.
*”Lets forgive and forget. Buy a bigger flat, start a family. Never do this again.”*
She collapsed into his arms, weeping.
Somehow, the betrayal made them stronger. They talked more, planned better. Neither strayed again.
**Lesson learned:** Love isnt about never failing. Its about choosing each other, even after you do.
