“I didnt invite you,” her friend whispered when she saw her at the birthday party.

The words were quiet, but Marina heard every syllable. She stood in the doorway, a bouquet of white roses in her hands, wearing the new blue dress shed bought especially for her friends celebration. Behind Olivia, laughter and chatter filled the air, glasses clinkingthe party was in full swing.

“I know,” Marina answered, holding out the flowers. “But does it matter? Weve been best friends for twenty years.”

Olivia didnt take the bouquet. Instead, she shifted to block the doorway, as if shielding the warmth inside from the uninvited guest.

“We *were* best friends,” Olivia corrected. “Fine, come in. Since youre already here.”

Marina stepped inside, and the atmosphere shifted instantly. Conversations died down; all eyes turned her way. Familiar facespeople shed spent weekends with, celebrated New Years with, shared her joys and worries withnow stared at her with awkward curiosity.

“Marina!” Sophie broke the silence first, forcing a smile. “What a surprise! We didnt think youd come.”

“Why wouldnt I?” Marinas smile was tight. “Olivia, happy birthday. Wishing you health, happiness, and all your dreams coming true.”

“Thanks,” Olivia replied flatly.

Emma, perched on the sofa with a wineglass in hand, stood and walked closer.

“So, wheres your Greg?” she asked, a smirk playing at her lips. “Couldnt make it?”

Marina felt her cheeks burn. Of course they all knew. In their circle, secrets never lastedespecially not loud ones like this.

“Gregs at home,” she murmured.

“Whose home?” Emma pressed. “Yours or his wifes?”

“Emma!” Olivia snapped. “Enough.”

“Whats enough?” Emma shot back. “Were all pretending we dont know the truth? Marina, you *do* understand why Olivia didnt invite you, right?”

Marina set the roses on the nearest table. The white blooms looked out of place among the party platters and champagne flutes.

“I understand,” she said. “But I came anyway. Because I still consider Olivia my friend, no matter what.”

“Friends dont do what you did,” Sophie cut in. “Friends dont sleep with married men.”

“*Especially* not their best friends husband,” Emma added.

A heavy silence settled over the room. Marina searched Olivias eyes for even a flicker of understanding but found only pain and disappointment.

“Maybe I should just go,” Marina said.

“No,” Olivia said suddenly. “Stay. Since youre here, you might as well sit. Just dont expect me to chat with you like nothings wrong.”

Marina sank into an armchair in the corner. Gradually, conversations resumed around her, but she felt like an outsider. No one included her; glances darted her way, whispers followed.

“Remember,” Olivia said to Sophie, “how Marina and I met? First year at uni. She was sitting alone in the cafeteria, eating some rubbish from the vending machine, and I had homemade scones from Mum. I sat with her, shared them. We talked till late that night.”

“I remember,” Sophie nodded. “You said youd found a true friend.”

“Yeah,” Olivia sighed. “I was so naïve.”

Marina clenched her fists. Every word cut deeper. She wanted to explain, to defend herselfbut no one would listen.

“And I remember,” Emma said, “how Marina helped Olivia with her dissertation. Stayed up all night drafting diagrams. Olivia got top marks.”

“And how she was maid of honour at Olivias wedding,” Sophie added. “So beautiful in that pink dress. Everyone said she outshone the bride.”

“Probably already eyeing Greg back then,” Emma muttered.

“Stop!” Marina couldnt take it anymore. “Stop reminiscing! I know I messed up. I know I hurt people. But dont act like Ive been scheming for years!”

She stood, pacing the room.

“Yes, Im seeing Greg. Yes, hes married to Olivia. But I didnt seduce himit just happened!”

“Nothing just happens,” Olivia said quietly. “Cheating is always a choice.”

“I know. And I made that choice,” Marina admitted. “Because I love him. More than Ive ever loved anyone.”

“Did you think about me?” Olivia asked. “Your best friend? What Id feel, finding out my husband was sleeping with *you*?”

Marina dropped back into the chair. Tears pricked her throat, but she swallowed them.

“I did. Every day. It tears me apart. But I cant help how I feel.”

“You could,” Emma said sharply. “You just dont want to.”

“You dont understand,” Marina shook her head. “Gregs unhappy in his marriage. He told me that *before* anything happened between us.”

“Every married man tells his mistress that,” Emma scoffed. “Standard excuse.”

“But its true!” Marina insisted. “Olivia, you *know* your marriage isnt working. You two live like flatmates, not husband and wife.”

Olivia paled.

“How do *you* know how we live?”

“Greg told me.”

“He *discussed* our private life with you?” Olivias voice trembled with rage. “Shared intimate details of our marriage with his mistress?”

Marina realized shed gone too far.

“He didnt want to hurt you with a messy divorce,” she said weakly. “So we kept it quiet.”

“How noble,” Sophie sneered. “A regular Romeo and Juliet.”

“Dont mock me,” Marina pleaded. “I never meant for this. Greg and I justwe met at the library. He was working on his PhD, I was writing an article. We talked, went for coffee, then…”

“Wait,” Olivia interrupted. “What PhD? Greg finished his doctorate years ago.”

Marina froze.

“I meant”

“What *exactly* did he tell you?” Olivia pressed.

“He said he was writing his thesis. In economics.”

Emma and Sophie exchanged glances. Olivia set her glass down slowly.

“Gregs already a doctor. He defended his thesis five years ago. And it was in *law*, not economics.”

Marinas stomach dropped. Had Greg lied from the start? Why? What else was he hiding?

“Maybe I got it wrong,” she stammered.

“You didnt,” Olivia said. “My husbands a bigger liar than I thought. Cheating *and* deceiving his mistress.”

“Dont call me that,” Marina whispered.

“What should I call you? My *friend*?” Olivia laughed bitterly.

“Olivia, I know I hurt you. But doesnt twenty years of friendship mean anything? Cant you forgive me?”

“Some things cant be forgiven,” Olivia said. “Betrayal kills trust for good.”

Marina stood. There was no point staying.

“Goodbye, then,” she said. “I wish you happiness, Olivia. Truly.”

“Same to you,” Olivia replied. “Just not with my husband.”

As Marina slipped on her shoes in the hallway, Sophie followed her out.

“Wait,” she said quietly. “Marina… are you sure Greg loves you?”

“Of course. Why?”

Sophie hesitated.

“Hes cheated before. There were others. And he told them all the same thingthat his marriage was dead, that Olivia didnt understand him.”

Marinas breath caught.

“Youre lying.”

“Im not. Olivia never talked about it. Too ashamed, I think. Or maybe she hoped hed change.”

“Then why doesnt she leave him?”

“Would you?” Sophie asked. “Eighteen years together, a shared home, routines… Not everyones brave enough to start over at forty.”

Marina walked out into the cool evening air, numb. Memories of Gregs promises, his whispers of love, swirled in her mind. Had any of it been real?

At home, Greg was sprawled on the sofa, beer in hand, watching telly. He grinned when she walked in.

“How was the party?”

“Greg,” she sat opposite him. “We need to talk.”

“About what?” He didnt look away from the screen.

“Us. Your marriage.”

Now he turned.

“Whats wrong? You look upset.”

“Tell me the trutham I the first woman youve cheated with?”

He hesitated. That pause told her everything.

“Why ask?”

“Just answer.”

He sighed, setting his beer down.

“No. But youre different, Marina. What we have is real.”

“And the others werent?”

“Its not like that! The others were flings. Youre serious.”

“Serious enough to leave your wife?”

Greg stiffened. Hed dodged this question for months.

“Marina, you know its complicated”

“I dont. Explain it. And explain