Emily sat in the armchair, staring at a lipstick. It wasnt hers She never wore lipstick. Definitely not such a bold shade of red.
Once, shed found a long blonde hair on the car headrest and asked her husband about itafter all, she was a brunette with a sleek bob.
«Dont overthink it,» James had said. «Remember that downpour yesterday? I drove past a bus stop and saw a woman with a little boy, so I gave them a lift. They live just round the corner from us.»
«I see,» she sighed.
«Emily, are you jealous? What are you accusing me of?»
«No, its just the hair.»
«Come here.» James pulled her into a hug. «You know I love only you.»
And now the lipstick. Shed found it last night under the car mat after a quick wash. What was this? Maybe James had given a colleague a lift? But the only woman at his office was Margaret, the cleanera pensioner in her sixties whod never wear something like that.
Unsettling thoughts crept in. Theyd been married seven years, and lately, James had been staying late, claiming his new role meant more responsibilities.
Emily studied herself in the mirror. At thirty, she still had no wrinkles, just faint laughter lines. Her bob suited her, and she kept in shape. Men still noticed her, though shed stopped dressing up daily after marriage. Had James stopped loving her? She needed proof.
Her phone buzzed.
«Hi, love. Left work yet? Should I heat dinner?»
«Not yetjust a couple more hours. Ill be home soon. Love you.»
The call ended.
Emily dialled her best friend.
«Charlotte, can I borrow your car tonight? James is working late, and I promised Mum Id drop off a plant. Ill fill the tank.»
«No problem, swing by.»
Downstairs, she grabbed the keys and a Tupperware of food. Shed check if James was really at work. If he was, shed say she brought him dinner and suggest stopping by the shops for new sheets.
At his office, only a dim light glowed near reception. The security guard, Mr. Thompson, answered her knock.
«Evening, Mrs. Collins. Your husband left at five sharp. Maybe you just missed him.»
«Must have. I was visiting Mum and thought Id swing by. Thanks.»
Back in the car, she called James again.
«Nearly done?»
«Another hour. Stop fussingthe sooner I finish, the sooner Im home.»
«Finish what, exactly?» she thought. No doubt nowhe was lying.
That evening, she feigned a headache and locked herself away. She couldnt face him. Inside, she seethedwanting to confront him, but without proof, it was just suspicion.
The next day, she filed paperwork at the tax office, wrapped up remote accounting jobs, and took three days off.
She borrowed Charlottes car again.
«Off to your mums?» Charlotte smirked.
«Errands. My cars still in the garage.»
«Emily, whats going on?»
«I think James is cheating.»
Charlottes eyes widened. «Let me come with you.»
By five, they parked near Jamess office. Fifteen minutes later, he emerged. Emily called him.
«Hi, heading home?»
«Yeah, just a quick errand first. Be back by eight.»
Charlotte tailed his car as it stopped at a florist, then turned onto a familiar street. Emilys hands shook.
«You know this place?»
«Yes. But it cant be.»
«Who lives here?»
«Sophie. Our friend Marks ex-wife. They divorced two years agono explanation. James always said he disliked women like her.»
«What kind?»
«Fake ones. Lash extensions, plumped lips, tattoos. He preferred natural beauty. I dont even wear lipstick.»
«Maybe its not her?»
«Too many coincidences.»
«Ill checkshe doesnt know me.»
Minutes later, Charlotte sprinted back.
«Hes there. She answered in a robe. I saw the bouquet he bought. His shoes were by the door.»
Emilys stomach dropped. «What do I do?»
«Your call. But tonight, hes out of your flat. Split the savings if you divorce. Blimey, you were about to buy that three-bed in Chelsea!»
At home, Emily packed Jamess things and left them by the door. In red lipstick, she scrawled on a sheet:
«Wishing you happiness with Sophie. Heres what shes missing.»
She tucked the note into his bag and waited. When his car pulled up, she shoved his belongings outside.
He banged on the door, shouting until neighbours threatened to call the police. Finally, he left, texting:
«Meet me at The Rose & Crown tomorrow, 3 PM. We need to talk.»
Only then did Emily let herself cry. By morning, shed resolvedJames wouldnt walk away unscathed.
She arrived twenty minutes late. James scowled over his coffee.
«Cutting it fine, arent you?»
«Funny, that.» She sat. «I dont appreciate being lied to.»
«Who says I lied?»
«The blonde hair. The lipstickSophies signature shade. And you werent at work when you said you were.» She showed him photos of him entering Sophies flat.
His face darkened. «You followed me
