EPISODE 5

DESERT STORMS 

 

“Emily please, it’s not what you think, we’re separated, almost divorced. The plan was to end it with her and never love again, till I met you” he said on his knees begging .

“Define a man, a man is a mature creature ,who would kneel down, lie down, beg, cry and still be lying.

Max,I thought you were different, you tricked me into thinking you were different and I trusted you” her eyes clouded with tears, looking at Max in disgust.”But it’s so funny how the both of you acted so dumb around me, Sophia my best friend, why did you both hide this from me? Woooah I feel stupid “trying to dry her tears.

Emily’s heart galloped like a wild mustang as she traversed the desert landscape, her mind reeling from the news. Max, the man she loved, is married to her best friend, Sophia.

The name echoed in Emily’s mind like a venomous snake’s hiss.

How could Max keep this secret?

Emily’s trust shattered like fragile pottery. She confronted Max, her voice trembling.

“You’re married? where is your ring? Why on earth would you keep such grave secret” Emily demanded.

Max’s eyes pleaded for understanding.

“It’s complicated, Emily,” he began. “Sophia and I—”

“Complicated?” Emily’s laughter was laced with pain. “You’re married! That’s not complicated; that’s betrayal.”

Max took a step forward, his hands extended.

“Emily, please listen—”

“No!” Emily’s voice rose like a desert storm. “You lied to me. Do you even understand the gravity of what you’ve done? Sophia is my best friend, I mean, was my best friend now.

You both are just so unbelievable”

Max’s face contorted in anguish.

“I was trapped, Emily,” he explained. “Sophia’s family and mine have business ties. Our marriage was arranged.”

Emily’s world spun. An arranged marriage? Trapped? She searched Max’s eyes for truth.

“End it,” Emily said, her voice firm. “End it, Max, or we’re done.”

Max nodded.

“I’ll fix this,” he vowed.

They were already head over heels for each other and she was ready to do anything humanly possible to get him all to herself.

Together, they navigated the treacherous landscape: Divorce Sophia? Get Sophia to leave Max or Kill her?

“Killing can not be an option, I’m not with you on that”.

Emily was scared at this point, because never did she imagine herself being someone’s second wife or killing anyone.

“Ok it’s fine, I’ll go confront her to accept the divorce” Max said, calming Emily who was already crying and breathing heavily .

Emily’s heart gradually healed, like the desert after a storm.

New blooms emerged: Understanding. Forgiveness. Love.

But challenges remained: Sophia’s lingering presence, Emily’s trust issues, Max’s family obligations.

As the desert sun dipped below the horizon, Emily realized:

“Love can weather any storm, but only if truth and trust anchor it”. Emily’s emotions swirled like a tornado:

“Confront Sophia?”

“Demand answers from Max?”

“Walk away?”

At the end, she chose all three.

Emily stormed back to She and Sophia’s apartment, determination fueling her steps.

“I thought I had found a best friend in a strange land, little did I know I befriended a wolf in human clothing. Sophia how could you, I trusted you as my best friend, why would you both hide this from me this whole time”. She was still talking as Sophia rushed to the restroom to puke.

“Sophia, what’s going on?” Emily demanded.

Sophia smirked,” I was confirmed pregnant earlier today”

“Pregnant?” Emily asked in shock.

“Max’s child,” Sophia stated, rubbing her belly. “He’ll do the right thing “

Emily’s anger boiled,”You’re lying,” Emily accused. Sophia’s smile faltered.

“Ask Max then,” Sophia spat.

Emily spun on her heel, feeling very confused at this point but knew she needed to speak with Max. As she got to Max’s apartment, fear gripped her, realising she wasn’t emotionally ready for this drama or the answer she was going to get from Max but she determined to go on anyways.

“Max, is this true?” Emily demanded.

“Is what true?” Max asked.

Emily in her shaky voice ” Sophia is pregnant for you”

Max’s face paled.

“I swear, Emily, I don’t know what Sophia’s talking about,” Max pleaded.

Emily’s trust shattered.

“Lies,” Emily whispered, turning to leave.

“Emily, wait!” Max called, but she was gone.

*********

Weeks passed, Emily’s heart heavy with sorrow. She had to leave Sophia’s apartment, knowing fully well that there was nothing left for her in that friendship.

Max’s relentless pursuit went on and on;

Phone calls, Visits, Letters. Emily’s resolve wavered.

As she sat one faithful afternoon reading one of Max’s letter, her heart beating as usual;

“Emily, my love, I’ll prove my innocence. Wait for me.”

Emily’s doubts lingered: “Can I trust Max again?” As Emily pondered, a shocking revelation arrived: DNA test results,

Proving Max’s innocence, Sophia’s deception exposed.

The DNA test results shook Max’s world:

He was the father, Sophia’s claim was true. Max’s heart sank.

He loved Emily, but a child’s life was at stake. He confessed to Emily, prepared for the worst.

“Emily, I’m the father,” Max said, his voice trembling.

Emily’s expression crumbled.

“How, why, when………..hmmm,you said you would prove your innocence to me, please how did you intend achieving that? You know what, I need time,” she whispered with tears clouding her eyes.

Max gave her space but was still there when she needed him.

Months passed and the baby came, Max’s responsibilities toward Sophia and the baby grew. Shared parenting discussions, Child support arrangements, Co-parenting meetings. Sophia’s presence literally re-entered Max’s life.

Initially, Emily tolerated the situation. But as Max and Sophia collaborated on parenting, old feelings resurfaced: Late-night conversations, Shared laughter, Momentary glimpses of their past love.

Emily sensed the shift in Max’s emotions.

“Max, what’s happening?” Emily asked, her voice laced with concern.

Max reassured her: “Emily, my love for you hasn’t changed.”

But actions spoke louder than words: Max and Sophia’s bonding over the baby, Increased time spent together, Whispers of rekindling their past

Emily’s fears intensified, “Is Max leaving me for Sophia?”

One evening, Emily went to visit Max and saw him coming out from the house carrying the baby, Sophia followed, her eyes locked on Max.

“Thank you, Max,” Sophia whispered, her voice husky.

As they exchanged a tender glance, Emily’s heart shattered. Max was slipping away.

Sophia’s strategy became clear; Use the baby to reunite with Max.

Emily realized: She couldn’t compete with a child’s love.

Emily’s heart wrestled with her emotions:” Now she has to either fight for Max’s attention.”

“Accept the new dynamic.”

“Walk away while prioritizing self-love.”

Once again she chose all three. Her heart couldn’t stop loving Max no matter how much she wanted it to.

Emily tried to regain Max’s focus, she scheduled romantic dinners, sultry nights, tried havinge meaningful conversations but Max’s mind was elsewhere:

Baby’s needs

Sophia’s demands

Co-parenting struggle.

Emily’s frustration grew, she couldn’t hold it anymore and had to confront Max.

“Max, I feel like I’m losing you.”

Max reassured her, “Emily, my love, you’re my priority.” But she didn’t feel prioritized.

Max’s absence increased, sophia’s constant presence persisted.

Emily pondered on her next line of action… Accepting the new dynamic seemed feasible and the easier route to take so she attempted to adapt.

She started joining Max and Sophia’s parenting sessions, supporting Max’s co-parenting efforts, embracing the baby’s presence.

But the more she accepted, the more she lost herself. She could barely recognise herself anymore, she started feeling emotionally numb and resented Sophia for all of it.

After a while Emily realized that acceptance wasn’t working.

One day, Emily reached her breaking point.

“I deserve better,” she declared.

With a heavy heart, Emily left Max and the chaos behind. She knew it was time to move on.

New city

New job

New beginnings.

She was determined to focus on herself, her healing journey, growth and rediscovery.

As Emily started the journey of rebuilding her life, she discovered…

True strength

Self-worth

Inner peace

But memories of Max lingered:

“Did I make a mistake?”

“Will Max realize his loss?”

Meanwhile, Max’s life with Sophia and the baby unfolded..

What do you think Max would do?

1. Realize his love for Emily and chase after her?

2. Succumb to Sophia’s manipulation?

3. Find a way to balance co-parenting and his love life?

4. Understand the value of Emily’s love too late?

5. Something else?

I would love to hear your thoughts, please drop your comments and don’t forget to like and share the story.

Thanks Fam and Happy new month ❤️

PS : Episode 6 will be released only if I get upto 10 comments <winks>

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