Chapter 4
He hesitated, then said, "Emily, you and Michael were so happy together, and Sophie was your best friend. How was I supposed to say anything?"
The truth hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me in stunned silence.
Everyone in high school knew Sophie and I were inseparable: like sisters.
We'd been friends for almost thirty years now. Honestly, she's more like family than a friend at this point.
As for Michael, we started dating in our senior year of high school and knew right away we were meant for each other.
We went to the same college, got jobs at the same company, and stuck together through thick and thin for eight years.
When he proposed, a bunch of our high school friends were there to cheer us on.
I was the happiest girl in the world.
So, hearing that my husband cheated on me with my best friend? That was a death sentence.
Ryan hesitated, keeping me in the dark and letting me believe I was living in bliss.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I asked him, "Do you know when it started between them?"
"It was your 26th birthday. They were two hours late because they were together in the car." He replied.
My temples throbbed, the pain making my nerves twitch.
That birthday, we celebrated in our newlywed home.
The house was huge, and all our friends showed up.
But Michael had to take a detour to pick up the custom cake he'd ordered for me.
Sophie looked pissed and said he couldn't get anything right.
"Your cake is nowhere near as good as the one I made for Emmy. No one loves Em more than I do." Sophie said.
Honestly, the cake she made for me was so touching, it had me tearing up.
Michael wasn't having it and insisted she come along to see for herself.
So, they bickered all the way to pick up the cake.
I waited forever, worried sick that something had happened to them on the way.
But the truth was, those two hours they were late, they were hooking up in the car I chose for us, doing things behind my back.
Thinking about it made me retch, clutching my throat as I turned away to vomit until there was nothing left.
That birthday party was revolting.
And the fact that Mike slept with Sophie? That was beyond disgusting.
"Dr. Brooks, get me the earliest surgery you can," I said.
When I got home, my mother-in-law was already in the kitchen, cooking.
The table was set with fresh-cut fruit.
She peeked out at me, smiling warmly. "Emmy, go wash your hands. Dinner's almost ready."
Next to her was a handwritten pregnancy recipe book Michael had made for me.
I glanced at it, then tossed it straight into the trash.
My mother-in-law froze. "Emmy, are you upset?"
"Mom, I'm divorcing Michael," I said.
She was stunned, immediately turning off the stove, her face full of worry. "Emmy, why are you suddenly talking about divorce?
"Mike's probably busy with work and hasn't been around much, but he's doing it for your family. If you're upset, I'll call him home and smack some sense into him."
Honestly, Michael's mom had always taken great care of me. I couldn't complain about her at all.
But I still had to get out of this house.
"Mom, he cheated on me. Did you know?" I asked.
She froze for a second, then couldn't meet my eyes. "Didn't Mike promise he'd fix things?" she said.
It hit me right away.