The Mysterious Messages on My Husband’s Phone

The morning started in chaos, as usual. Anna and Andrew had overslept, missing the alarm entirely. The two of us dashed around the house, tripping over shoes, wrestling with shirts, and scrambling to get our son, Charlie, ready for nursery.

Love! Youre picking up Charlie later, arent you? Anna called from the bedroom, struggling to pull on her trousers while shoving a change of clothes into his backpack.

Alright! I replied, patting my pockets. Where are my keys?

I havent seen them! she snapped back, digging under the cushions for her phone. When she finally grabbed it, she hurried to dress Charlie, who sat on the carpet, happily playing with his toy cars, oblivious to the madness.

We managed the nursery run in record time. Anna wrestled with Charlies raincoat zipper, which stubbornly stuck. Suddenly, he started to sniffle, tears welling up in his blue eyes.

Mum, I dont want to go… I want to stay with you, he whimpered, fists clenched.

Come on, darling, were in a rush! Anna bent down and gently stroked his head, trying to soothe him. Youll have lots of fun, your friends cant wait to see you…

Her reassurances did little to help. Charlie dug in his heels and became harder and harder to cajole. Just then, his teacher, Miss Jenkins, appeared with a kind smile and offered her hand.

Dont worry, Anna, she said. Well look after him. Charlie, come along, the other children are already waiting.

Anna let out a sigh of relief, only to be caught again by another wave of stress.

Honestly, Im so late Awful, she muttered, checking her watch. She hurried to leave, deciding to ring her client to explain the delay. She rummaged through her bag, searching her contacts list, but it was no use. Nothing looked right. It dawned on her then: shed picked up my phone by mistake. Wed swapped cases in the morning rush. Bloody matching cases, bloody identical PINs.

Of course, she grumbled, uncertainty rising again as she wondered how to sort it out. Shed have to ring me on her phone and ask me to forward the number.

As she pondered her options, my phone buzzed in her handa message popped up on the screen.

Danny: “Any luck with that girl at the gym? Did she give you her number?”

Anna froze. She reread it, squinting at the unfamiliar words, then, half-stunned, opened the conversation and scrolled.

Danny: “So, did you manage to win her over?”

Me: “Yeah, she gave me her number. We agreed on this weekend. At mine.

Anna stared, horrified. This weekend? She was supposed to visit her mum with Charlie and stay the night.

Oh God…” she whispered, heart tightening unbearably. “Why did I have to see this. Stupid matching cases…”

It took all Annas strength to act as if she knew nothing. Every day, every glance in my direction became a trial. Three days left until Saturday, but she was already consumed by doubt and dread. She told herself there must be some misunderstanding, desperate for another, rational explanation. Yet those words echoed in her mind: This weekend. At mine.

I carried on as always, cheerful and loving, helping with supper and reading Charlie stories at bedtime. Anna watched me, searching for any sign of guilt, but saw noneif anything, that made things worse.

By Wednesday evening, we were watching a film together on the sofa. I put my arm around her as usual, but Anna pressed her lips together to stop herself from crying against my shoulder. In my embrace, she felt painfully exposed, as if her whole world could crumble in an instant. Every gestureonce so naturalnow seemed staged.

Friday night, after wed put Charlie to bed, Anna stood at the sink in the kitchen, hands trailing through warm water. I hugged her from behind and murmured, You seem a bit down. Everything alright?

Fine, she replied, managing a tired smile. Just a bit worn out, thats all.

I kissed the top of her head. I understand.

Later that night, when Id already fallen asleep, Anna quietly rose, slipped to the bathroom and locked the door. She switched on the tap and perched on the edge of the tub, fighting tears that now came in great waves.

Why? she sobbed. Whys this happened?

The same question ran in her mind on repeat. No answers came, just turmoilfear, anger, confusion, pain.

What could she do? Ask me directly? Leave? Try to forget? None of those choices seemed possible. The only thing she knew for certain was that, come morning, shed have to put on a brave face. Tomorrow, the truth would either destroy everything or set her free.

Saturday morning, Anna took Charlie to her mums in another part of town. Every move felt heavy, her mind churning. Her mother immediately picked up on it.

Anna, is something wrong? she asked as she opened the door.

Anna forced a nervous smile, doing her best to mask her unease. No, Mum, everythings fine. Just in a bit of a rush I want to surprise Andrew. She kissed Charlie, waved, and hurried to the car, careful not to look back.

The whole drive home, Annas thoughts thundered: What if hes just meeting up with Danny? What if she never turns up? Am I overreacting?

She wanted to catch me in the act, see for herself what would happen Yet deep down, she wished this suspicion was all just a misunderstanding, something she could someday laugh about and forget.

When she reached our street, Anna sat in the car, hands trembling on the steering wheel. She remembered the happy evenings wed spent together, laughing over tea, playing with Charlie in the park, and sitting up late in front of the telly. How solid and joyful our family had seemed. Now, sitting there, she realised that every second she stayed in the car was a second sat in her old happiness. It was the last peace before the storm that could wash it all away.

Summoning every bit of courage, she went upstairs and paused outside the flat, key shaking in her hand. She unlocked the door slowly, as if delaying the entrance into a new, unfamiliar world. The hallway was dark, except for a faint glow from the lamp in the kitchen. Even before she saw anything, Anna heard laughter and low voices. Her heart sank.

Its him, she thought. Its happened.

Her head spun and her body felt divorced from her mind as Anna walked down the corridor in slow motion. Every step felt leaden, as though she was forcing herself through water. All the resistance in her body meant nothing; forward she went, until she stood at the kitchen door. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure they could hear it.

Andrew? she called, but her own voice sounded stiff and far-off, like someone else speaking.

She tried again, louder. Andy?!

No answer. Anna stepped into the kitchen. She saw two peoplea man and a womanbut the man wasnt me. It was Danny, my oldest mate. Anna froze, confusion scrawled across her face. Danny spun around, instantly flustered.

Anna! Wait! Its not what it looks likeI swearAnna, you know what my mums like, right? Where else could I go? I couldnt exactly bring her round to my mums… Danny started bumbling, stumbling over his words.

Anna didnt take any of it in. She just stood there, staring at them, mind empty but ears ringing. Tears slipped down her cheeks; only then did she realise she was suddenly smiling through them.

I get it, Danny… she whispered, overcome by a mix of sadness and something like relief. Im leaving.

She picked up her things, walked out the door, and down the steps. The crisp morning air stung her face, and Anna stood, dazed, fumbling for her phone.

Hello My voice came through the speaker, but Anna struggled to form words. All that came out was a strangled, almost ridiculous confession:

I love you I really love you…

Through her tearshalf-laughing, half-cryingshe tried to get something else out, but couldnt make sense of anything. Suspicion, fear, anxietyall of it spilled over now. Words tumbled out without order.

I was at home Dannys there she muttered.

Alright… I see. Look, dont be cross, love, please. Im at the office. Come here, will you? Dont be upset, Anna You know Danny. Come?

Im on my way now

Anna rushed to the car; all she wanted now was to see me, to wrap her arms around me.

That evening, Anna and I sat on the floor of the conference room, a bottle of wine between us. She rested her head on my shoulder, holding her glass with both hands.

Im sorry, I honestly wasnt snooping through your messages. Ive never done anything like that…

No, Im sorry for getting you mixed up in this mess. I should have just told you from the start.

Why did Danny get you involved?

Because hes my mate. The day before, he did something daft and embarrassed himself.

What happened?

He ran straight into her at the gym, spilled a can of Red Bull all over her white suitturned her blue, more or less Then, of course, he panicked like a schoolboy: Cant do it! Im scared! Andy, help me out!

I put on a silly voice to imitate him, and Anna burst out laughing.

Hes my best mate I just felt sorry for him. I took her number, bigged him up in front of her, added a bit of banter, and voilà.

So why did he bring her to our flat? Couldnt they have gone to a hotel?

And do you not remember why he still lives with his mum?

So he doesnt have to pay rent And for his mums home cooking, ironing, and all that.

I gave her a meaningful look.

Hes such a tightwad! Anna let out a peal of laughter.

Weve been mates since Year One, nearly twenty years. Im probably the only one whos seen that side of him without him being embarrassed

Honestly, youre a real friend, Andy! Ill give you that, she said, shaking her head.

But what if theyre still there? We cant exactly camp out in your office all night I dont want to go home just yet Let him clear off.

I kissed her.

Im not as much of a Scrooge as he is. And I think we deserve a romantic evening.

Seriously?! Are we going to a hotel?!

I grinned, then scooped her up and slung her over my shoulder. Anna shrieked, giggling and wriggling, but I held her tight.

Ill make sure you get there safe and sound! I assured her.

As Anna laughed, clutching me lightheartedly, neither of us could quite believe that only a few hours ago, it seemed our marriage had been lost forever.