Who Was the Woman?

When the call came a second time, Emma knew something was wrong.

It wasn’t work—she’d taken leave, and it wasn’t family because she’d distanced herself from them. That left only one person: Sophie, her best friend, despite today being Emma’s “no disturbance” day.

“Sophie?” Emma answered, confused.

“Emma, the airport? Seriously?” Sophie teased, laughing.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m behind you... wait, you’re not here?” Sophie’s tone immediately shifted.

“No, I’m at home.”

“Then who’s with David?”

Emma’s heart skipped. “What?”

“Never mind, it’s your anniversary—”

“No, Sophie. Tell me now. Is David there? Who’s he with?”

After a pause, Sophie sighed. “Let me send you a picture.”

Emma opened the photo. Her breath hitched. It was David, her husband, standing with another woman, her back to the camera, hugging him intimately.

The phone rang again. Sophie’s voice was panicked. “Emma, are you okay? I’m so sorry—”

“You’ve done nothing,” Emma replied coldly. “I’ll call you back.”

She cut the call before she could say another word and stared long. Her eyes moved from the decorated dining room to the well-adorned sitting room and the gifts on the table.

Today was meant to be about the both of them and them alone and out there was David, hugging another woman.

Emma grabbed a bottle from the fridge and poured herself a glass.

“Cheers to our second year together.” She chuckled sarcastically and gulped down the glass. Then another followed, and another, and another…

The moments flew past quickly and she was grateful she could notice none of it. At least, until David came in.

Emma was in the sitting room, her eyes still heavy from the drinking when she set her eyes on David—his hazy eyes and chiseled, masculine face. His tie was a little loose, and his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, but it couldn't still hide his handsomeness.

She laughed weakly as she saw the surprise on his face. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of the dining room—candles flickering, the table beautifully set, a bottle of wine waiting to be poured.

“Emma…” he started, guilt creeping into his voice.

“You forgot,” she said quietly, her voice steady but laced with pain.

David looked at the table, at the effort she had put into this night, and then at Emma. He seemed to falter for a moment, his lips pressing together in a tight line.

“I didn’t… I didn’t realize what day it was,” he admitted reluctantly. “I’ve been busy with work…”

He knew it sounded like a weak excuse, and she probably thought he was lying. Even he was sure it sounded hollow, but it was the truth.

Emma’s heart sank even further. She hadn’t thought he would forget their anniversary. After everything they had been through, it hurt more than she had imagined.

She took another sip of wine, this time quicker, more desperate. The alcohol didn’t dull the sting—it only made the dizziness in her head worse. She stumbled slightly, her hands shaking as she placed the glass back on the table.

David stepped forward, his eyes filled with concern. “Emma, I… I’m sorry. I really am. But it’s not what you think.”

“What’s not?” Emma asked, her words slurring slightly. She was beyond caring now, the anger bubbling up uncontrollably. “Who was that woman at the airport?”

David's eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting the question. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t lie. I saw the picture. You were hugging someone. Don’t try to tell me it wasn’t what it looked like.”

His face hardened, and he sighed, clearly trying to figure out how to explain without escalating things further. “It was an important client. She just got back from abroad, and I was helping her with some paperwork. That’s all.”

Her eyes were narrowed, her face flushed. She could hardly keep her emotions in check. “An important client, huh?” she muttered bitterly, leaning against the table. “You didn’t even bring me a gift, David. But you managed to help her?”

David’s jaw clenched. “I’ll make it up to you tomorrow. I promise. I have a surprise for you.”

Emma scoffed. “A surprise? After everything, now you want to give me a surprise?” She was too far gone, the alcohol fueling her emotions in ways she couldn’t control.

He stepped closer, his face softening. “Let’s get you cleaned up, alright? We can talk tomorrow when you’re sober. I promise things will get better.”

He gently took her arm, guiding her toward the bathroom. But she wasn’t in the mood for his gentle gestures. As he started the shower, she stepped away from him, shaking her head.

“I don’t want your pity, David.”

The words slipped from her lips before she could stop them. She wasn’t sure where this anger was coming from, but she was too far gone to care.

He stood still for a moment, his expression torn between annoyance and something else—regret, maybe.

Then, without warning, he reached for her. “You’re drunk, Emma. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

She scoffed again, her eyes filled with defiance as she began to splash water at him. “I’m not drunk enough to know you’ve been lying to me all night.”

His patience wore thin. He gritted his teeth, then in one swift motion, pulled her into the shower with him.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” he muttered, though it was clear that this wasn’t about making things right anymore.

As the warm water washed over them both, Emma tried to pull away, but David held her firmly. Her body, still unsteady from the alcohol, couldn’t help but respond to his touch.

The tension between them shifted, and before she could think, their lips collided in a fierce kiss. It was urgent, messy, and full of all the frustrations they both couldn’t express in words.

Emma could feel his grasp on her breasts and thighs. She moaned desperately, everything happening so fast, fulfilling her desires, though she was too drunk to comprehend it all. For a moment, she forgot about the airport, about the woman, about everything.

It was just them, tangled in the mess of their emotions and the passionate release of everything that had built up over the evening. If only it would remain that way…..if only.