MARRY MY HUSBAND

CHAPTER THREE (before the crack)

The office air felt colder that afternoon though the thermostat hadn't changed. Maybe it was just me. Every sound sharpened , every face now clearer , I was watching everything now, the way I should have before .

Claire leaned towards my desk , balancing her cup of iced coffee like it was a prop . Her voice was soft and sweet the way she always got me .

"Sophie, can you finish my report for me ?

I have to meet a client this evening. "

The old me would have nodded immediately, she knew I wouldn't refuse that was the leash she had over me .

This time I let the silence stretch long enough that her smile became cold .

"I can" , I said finally, sliding her folder closer " but only if you handle the expense forms I was assigned this morning. Fair?"

Her face changed , she was trying to hide the anger and surprise, she wasn't used to me asking for anything in return.

" Of course ", she said quickly, hiding the anger in her tone .

I nodded and returned to my screen , hiding the small curl of satisfaction in my chest

One step . A small one , but this time mine .

At lunch , we sat in the cafeteria,

Claire had arranged us at a table with Henry as she often did while pretending it was a coincidence, I stirred my soup lazily letting the silence pull until the timing was just right.

"Claire" , I said suddenly, my voice light , " you always turn heads when you walk into a room .

I don't think anyone could ignore you ".

Flattered, she laughed "what are you saying "

" I mean it, I smiled back, even when we go out people notice you first ".

Across the table Henry chuckled too loudly " don't exaggerate. If anyone gets attention, it's me " puffing his chest like a boy showing off at recess .

I sipped my soup, hiding my grin, Claire's smile was still plastered on, but her fingers tightened around her spoon.

Later , after the office emptied , Claire walked with me to the elevator , the silence between us heavier than usual, finally she spoke .

" You've changed " Her tone is soft but probing, "you're.....different lately" she said with a glare sharper than two edged swords .

I tilted my head , feigning confusion " different how? Her eyes narrowed slightly, though her lips stayed curved " I don't know just .....not the same Sophie I know.

I let out a small laugh, adjusting the strap of my bag " Maybe I just got tired of being walked over " the elevator doors opened I stepped in first , leaving her standing there

Her expression caught somewhere between a smile and a frown .

That night , I lay on my bed , proud as the city light blew through the curtains. I replayed every moment , the hesitation in her voice , the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes the way Henry laughed rang hollow .

They weren't as unshakable as I once believed, they had cracks and I could see them now .

But beneath the small thrill of victory, unease filled my stomach.

Things were shifting already, faster than I remembered. The future wasn't locked in

"I have to be careful ", I whispered to the dark " One wrong step ,and I could lose this chance .

My hand tightened against the blanket.

Careful or not , the game had begun .

I woke up feeling tired because I used the whole night to think about how to make them pay .

It was another cold morning in Manchester whispers drifted across the cubicles. Office gossip, small , careless things, but they had weight.

“Did you see Sophie yesterday? She turned Claire down for lunch .

“She's usually glued to her .wonder what's going on”.

Claire must have heard them too, because when she approached me later , her smile was flawless, but her voice carried a sharper edge .

“Sophie, are you free tonight? Henry and I were thinking about grabbing dinner. You should come .

Her eyes sparkles , a test.

She wanted to see if I'd fall into the same patterns .

“Sorry “ I said , my tone light,I've already got plans .

Plans. always plans. The lie had become my

shield.

For a moment her fingers tightened around her coffee cup, with anger boiling inside her like hot water “You've been busy lately “ she said softly “ I hope you're not avoiding me”.

I leaned back in my chair , smiling just enough, seeing how the tables had turned ,

I was always the one happy to hangout with her , always felt lucky to be seen with her .

“Why would I avoid my best friend? I said with a laugh that sounded like mocking. Her gaze lingered on me a second too long . I could almost her her thinking .

That evening, on my way out , I passed the staircase and froze

Voices, low, hurried and cold like the morning of winter .

I recognised them immediately

“She's different “,Claire whispered

“You're imagining it”, Henry replied

“No she's slipping away from us

We need to …..” Her words cut off as the staircase door creaked.

I walked away quickly

My pulse hammering, my heart beating as if I just ran against Usain bolt in a competition .

They were already plotting.

Earlier this time . In my first life , the betrayal had been slow , drawn out like poison seeping in , now it was quick , sharp , almost frantic.

In my room that night , I sat at my desk, staring at the open dairy again , my reflection in the dark window looked back at me .

Eyes sharper, mouth set.

The rules had changed , my second chance wasn't a replay . It was a fight against something shifting under my foot and if I wasn't careful, Claire and Henry would make their move before I was ready .