_‘It’s just one of those days’_, said Emily as she stirred her coffee in the cosy corner of their favourite café. “Work has been a nightmare—especially with that incessant moaner in the office. I can’t stand how he always finds something to complain about.”

Sophie laughed softly, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “I should know,” she replied. “This morning, I was pushed around at the checkout. It felt less like shopping and more like a battlefield. And don’t get me started on the children throwing tantrums over homework!”

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on the usual irritations and amusements of everyday life. The clatter of cups and gentle hum of other patrons provided a familiar backdrop, until—almost imperceptibly—the topic shifted.

Emily leaned in, her tone dropping. “Speaking of battles,” she murmured, “I’ve been thinking about Paul again. You know he’s on the Forbes list now—handsome, arrogant, the whole CEO package. I sometimes wonder if all that success leaves any room for genuine care.”

Sophie’s smile faded, replaced by a slow, apprehensive sigh. Actually, there’s something I need to tell you,” she said quietly. “It’s been our little secret, but I trust you completely.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed with concern. “Go on, Sophie. You know you can share anything with me.”

Sophie hesitated, then continued in a hushed tone. “I met someone recently—someone extraordinary. I shouldn’t be revealing any details, but his story is one I can’t keep to myself any longer. We met at an art gallery, and his words just... captivated me.

A brief pause hung between them as Emily searched Sophie’s face for further clues. “That sounds wonderful,”*she said gently.“ But what’s troubling you?”

Sophie’s voice wavered. “I thought it was just a secret fling—a beautiful escape. But now… I’ve discovered that he’s been seeing someone else too.

Emily’s hand froze mid-air as she absorbed Sophie’s word “Are you saying… he’s not loyal? That his affections aren’t solely yours?” she asked, her voice strained with disbelief.

Taking a shaky breath, Sophie nodded. “Yes. And it goes deeper than that. The way he speaks about other women—it’s as if they’re mere trophies. I’m starting to fear that this wasn’t an isolated affair. There’s a web of lies here, and I now wonder if that web stretches even closer to home than I ever imagined.”

A heavy silence fell over the table. The hum of routine gossip was replaced by the weight of betrayal. Emily’s expression turned from sympathy to shock as her voice dropped to a near-whisper. “So… could it be that this man… might be involved with both of us?”

Sophie’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she replied, “I… I think he might be. I never could imagine we’d ever be in competition for the same heart. And now, I’m not even sure what to believe about him—or about us.”

The casual chatter of earlier evaporated, leaving behind only the raw, painful realisation of betrayal. In that suspended moment, each pause in their conversation spoke volumes, resonating with the sudden, shattering twist in their personal lives. The friendly banter had dissolved into a storm of unspoken questions, the new truth binding them in a shared despair neither expected nor wished for.