Love by Fate

Cheating

The argument hung in the air, unresolved. Daphne and Emmason didn't speak much that day, the tension between them palpable.

That night, as Daphne was working late, her phone buzzed. A message from an old friend, Alex. "Hey, I'm in town. Want to grab coffee?"

Daphne hesitated. She hadn't told Emmason about Alex. Didn't think much of it, but...

She replied, "Sure. Tomorrow?"

The next day, Daphne met Alex at a quiet café. They caught up, laughed, and for a moment, Daphne forgot about the fight.

As they were leaving, Alex touched her arm. "You seem different, Daphne. Happy."

Daphne smiled, feeling a pang. "I am. Mostly."

Alex's expression turned serious. "If you ever need...you know."

Daphne pulled away, unease creeping in. She didn't tell Emmason about the coffee.

That night, Emmason was distant. Daphne wondered if he'd met someone too.

The guilt crept in, like a thief. Was she cheating? On Emmason? On herself?

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths. Emmason's face went still, and for a moment, Daphne wondered if she'd gone too far.

Then he spoke, his voice low and measured. "You think I'm unhappy with you? With us?"

Daphne's eyes dropped, tears pronging. "I...I don't know. You've been distant."

Emmason's expression softened. He pulled her close, his voice a whisper. "I'm distant because I'm trying to provide for us. For our future."

Daphne's tears fell, and she let out a sob. "I'm scared, Emmason. Scared of losing you."

Emmason held her tight. "You'll never lose me. We're in this together."

The tension broke, and they held each other, the fear of being apart hanging over them like a shadow.

The words hung in the air, raw and exposed. Emmason's face was a mix of hurt and frustration. "You think I'd leave because I'm unhappy?" he repeated, his voice low.

Daphne felt a pang, realizing she'd gone too far. "Emmason, I..."

Emmason cut her off, his tone even. "No, I need to say this. I'm not unhappy, Daphne. I'm challenged. There's a difference."

The kids were watching TV in the next room, oblivious to the tension. Daphne lowered her voice. "I know. I'm sorry. It's just...this feels like a step back."

Emmason's expression softened. "It doesn't have to be. We can make this work. I'll commute, you'll come visit..."

Daphne nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Okay. Let's talk logistics."

As they started discussing details, Marion poked her head in. "Dinner's ready. Kids, time to eat!"

The tension broke, they called the kids in. The night was a blur of food and forced smiles.

Later, as they tucked the kids in, Natasha looked up at Emmason. "Daddy?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

Natasha's eyes were serious. "You won't go away, will you?"

Emmason's voice cracked. "I won't leave you, baby. Promise."

The question hung in the air, unanswered. Daphne pushed the thought away, focusing on the kids and work. But the unease lingered.

Emmason was still distant, throwing himself into work and the South Sudan project. Daphne felt like they were drifting.

One night, as they were putting the kids to bed, Natasha looked up at them. "Mama, Daddy, are you okay? You fight a lot."

Daphne's heart squeezed. "We're fine, baby. Just...growing up."

Emmason forced a smile. "We love you, kids."

As they tucked them in, Daphne felt a pang. What were they doing?

Back downstairs, Emmason turned to her. "We need to decide. South Sudan."

Daphne looked away. "I don't want you to go."

Emmason's expression softened. "I'll do what you want."

Daphne's phone buzzed. A message from Alex. "Miss you, Daphne."

Her heart skipped. She deleted it, feeling guilty.

Emmason's words hung in the air, a promise of loyalty. Daphne clheld him, feeling the weight of their fears.

As they stood there, Daphne's phone buzzed. A message from Alex. "Hey, want to talk?"

Daphne's heart skipped. She pulled away from Emmason, trying to hide the phone.

Emmason's eyes narrowed. "Who is it?"

Daphne's face flushed. "Just...a friend."

Emmason's expression turned skeptical. "A friend?"

Daphne's voice was barely above a whisper. "Alex. We met for coffee."

The room went quiet. Emmason's face was a mask. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Daphne's words tumbled out. "It wasn't a big deal. I didn't want to hurt you."

Emmason's eyes searched hers. "Do you...want to hurt me?"

Daphne's heart pounded. Was she cheating? On Emmason? On herself?

As they held each other, Daphne felt a wave of relief wash over her. The fear of losing Emmason, the uncertainty of their future – it all felt a little more manageable with him by her side.

Emmason pulled back, his eyes searching hers. "Daphne, I need you to know something."

Daphne's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"

Emmason's voice was low, his words measured. "I was thinking...maybe you should come with me to South Sudan."

Daphne's eyes widened. "Come with you? But the kids, Marion..."

Emmason nodded. "I know it's a lot to ask. But we could do it, together. As a family."

Daphne's mind was spinning. Leave Uganda, leave their life here...but be together.

The kids burst into the room, laughing and arguing, breaking the tension. Daphne looked at Emmason, her heart pounding. "Let's talk about it."

As they held each other, the fear of being apart slowly ebbed away. Daphne pulled back, looking up at Emmason. "Let's not let this come between us. We'll figure it out, okay?"

Emmason nodded, his eyes serious. "Okay. We'll figure it out."

The decision hung in the air – to go to South Sudan, or to stay. But for now, they were together.

The next few days were a blur of planning and talking. Emmason would go to South Sudan for 3 months, Daphne would stay with the kids, and Marion would help.

The night before Emmason left, they sat on the couch, kids asleep, Max curled up beside them.

Daphne's voice was barely a whisper. "Come back to me."

Emmason's eyes locked onto hers. "Always."

One evening Emmason send a letter;

[Letter]

Daphne,

I'm sitting down to write this letter with a mix of sadness and anger. I thought we were past this. I thought we were stronger.

I came home early from South Sudan, hoping to surprise you. Instead, I found you with him.

Alex, the guy you met for coffee. The guy you lied about.

I don't know what's worse – that you cheated, or that you didn't trust me enough to tell me.

We talked about our fears, about our struggles. And you went and did this.

I need space. I need to figure out if I can forgive this.

The kids...I'll stay for them. But us? I don't know.

Emmason

Daphne read it and was at a loss of word's to reply.