The Irreplaceable One

Hey love, let me tell you the whole thing its a proper rollercoaster.

It all started when Poppy Hartley first laid eyes on James Mason at work. Hed turned up for an interview in the Procurement department, and Poppy had just rushed into HR to sign a new contract. She paused, though, because the bloke looked good enough to stop traffic. What a handsome one, she thought, and hes got his own thing going. Definitely not the sort you see every day. She caught bits of his conversation and thought, Alright, Procurement well meet soon enough.

The next morning the stranger walked into the accounts office, said hello, and gave everyone a friendly smile. His gaze lingered on Poppy a little longer than usual, and she felt a strange shiver run through her. Oh wow, she whispered to herself, hes actually looking at me weve seen that before, havent we? Whether that was true or not, the story doesnt say, but it was clear James wasnt like the other guys shed dated.

James always met her eyes headon, gently, attentively. He never rushed, never pushed his own agenda, and solved problems before anyone even asked. He could disappear into the background when needed, yet always seemed to turn up at the exact moment she needed him. All that left a permanent imprint on Poppys heart. She fell hard, completely.

And honestly, who could blame her? A man like that was straight out of a fairytale.

A couple of months later they were moving in together, and six months after that they tied the knot. When their son was born a spittingimage of James Poppy finally understood what happiness felt like. At night shed cuddle up to him and whisper, Youre not going anywhere, are you? Ive got you all wrapped up. Hed grin and reply, I wasnt planning on leaving anyway, planting a kiss on her temple.

Now, there was one thing Poppy knew from the start James had a daughter from his first marriage. Shed asked about her, but he kept the details vague until one evening he finally let something slip: We havent spoken in years. I dont even have her contact. When she was three, my ex, Lena, didnt want us to stay in touch. Now Dashas a teenager Id rather not dig up the past. Poppy shrugged, Alright, if you ever want to find her, Ill back you up. He nodded, and that was the end of the questions. After all, everyones got a past.

A few weeks later James came home looking a bit off. He shrugged off his coat, walked to the kitchen without a word, poured himself a glass of water and just stood there, staring at the glass. James, whats up? Poppy asked, a little worried. He looked guilty, then suddenly blurted out, I I found Lena on social media. I messaged her to see how she and Dasha were doing. Turns out Dasha wants to talk to me. We even had a short phone chat. Poppy froze. Shed reminded him countless times about his daughter, and now this news hit her like a punch. She managed a forced smile, Wow, thats great! Im really happy for you! James brightened he needed to hear that. But Poppy felt a weight settle over her chest.

At first it was just quick calls. James would slip into the spare bedroom and close the door, muttering, Dashas shy. Poppy would stay in the kitchen, hearing his soft, tender voice that had only belonged to her until now. Then the messages from Lena started coming in first a few, then a steady stream. Poppy found herself reaching for Jamess phone the moment it was left unattended, scrolling through pictures of a girl she didnt know, reading lines that dripped with sugary promises: Were here, were close, were waiting for you Each time James left the phone in another room, she reminded herself, Hes just talking to his daughter, dont overthink it.

But one day, passing by, she heard the name Lena. Her former wife. From that moment the anxiety in her chest took on a shape. She hated herself for obsessing, yet couldnt stop. She watched James smile at his screen, hold his breath before typing a reply. Every glance, every gesture, every word seemed like a betrayal. She was convinced he was living two lives.

Jealousy flared daily, and soon everything irritated her. You dont even value me anymore? she snapped one evening as James mindlessly scrolled through his phone. Whats going on, James? he asked, genuinely baffled. Dont play dumb! she hissed. I see everything! Youre still chatting with her! Whos her? he replied, honestly lost. The more he tried to understand, the more furious she got. Each ring of his phone felt like an electric shock, each latenight work runout a sign of infidelity. She turned into a spy in her own home because she loved him to the point of selfdestruction. He never explained, never tried to ease her mind it felt so unlike him.

Soon they were arguing over the smallest things, turning trivial annoyances into massive fights. Poppy would shout that James had stopped hearing her, that his gaze had changed, that her very presence seemed a burden. In her head a terrifying thought kept looping: If anything goes wrong, he has somewhere else to go, where hes loved and wanted. That fear ate away at her, even as she told herself she was sure they were a family, that hed never leave.

Night after night shed lie awake, wondering, What if he decides the past is more important than us? By morning shed try to convince herself otherwise, but the fear lingered, growing louder each day.

One afternoon James left his phone on the kitchen counter while he took their son to the bath. A notification popped up Lena. Poppys fingers twitched, her heart clenched, but she didnt open it. She was terrified of what she might see; that fear had become normal now. Whats wrong with you today? James asked later after putting the baby down. Everythings fine, she replied too quickly. He studied her for a long moment, as if hed suddenly understood something, but he said nothing.

Later that night, as he slept, Poppy lay beside him, listening to his steady breathing. She thought, Someone else might be listening to that soon. The thought burned so fiercely she got up, went to the kitchen, sat on a stool and clenched her fists. For the first time she felt replaceable.

James walked in, saw the tears in her eyes, and sat down on his knees, taking her hands. Where would I go? he asked softly. To them, she whispered, looking away. He fell silent. The quiet between them was louder than any argument a pause that felt more terrifying than any shouted word.

Then came the night that changed everything. James didnt come home, didnt call, didnt text. His phone was out of signal range. Poppy sat alone in the dark kitchen, replaying every happy moment theyd shared, imagining a life without her. By morning her heart felt like a block of ice.

She opened her laptop and, almost automatically, started typing. She wrote to Lena, pouring out tears she didnt even notice falling, pleading for the truth. When she hit send, a strange mix of relief and emptiness washed over her. Now she just had to wait.

She spent the whole day restless, rehearsing the conversation shed have when James finally showed up. She walked around the flat, touched objects, fed their son mechanically, but inside she was just waiting for his verdict.

When he finally stumbled in, pale and exhausted, he sat opposite her without a word. Why did you do that? he asked, voice hoarse. Do what? she replied, barely holding herself together. I read your letter. Youve got it all wrong. No way! she shouted, begging him to explain. You want to go back to her? Old love never rusts, they say, right? So why are you silent? Dont hide behind the phone! How did you even read my letter? Did she send it? Was she trying to expose my weakness? He sighed, She wont answer you, Poppy. Ill answer you myself. Everything will be fine if you dont ruin it yourself.

She laughed bitterly, Convenient, isnt it? Alright, keep your secrets. Im not even interested now. I shouldnt have written to her. James exhaled, Lena died last night. I was with her until the end. Poppy thought shed misheard. The room seemed to freeze. Her breath caught, a chill spreading through her.

She died? she whispered, afraid to hear the answer. He nodded. Shed been ill for a while, he said. She was happy when I showed up, but she never told me the truth. She just wanted to see how wed both handle it with Dasha and with me. She wasnt trying to get me back, Poppy. She only wanted Dasha not to be alone. He sighed heavily. Now you see why everything depends on you. If you say no, Ill have to find a place for Dasha.

What, a childrens home? Poppys voice trembled. No, of course not. Lena and I both have relatives. Hopefully someone will take her in. I cant decide without you. Poppy sprang up, Dont even think about it! Shell live with us! Understand? With us! James went still, closed his eyes for a heartbeat. When he opened them, tears welled up. I knew I believed youd say that, he murmured.

She threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest. All the fear, jealousy, suspicion melted away. Ahead of them lay a tough, uncertain future, but Poppy felt nothing but resolve. Shed made her choice, and she wasnt scared any more.