Sometimes, life has a way of taking unexpected turns, usually doing so when you least expect it whilst shattering our hopes and leaving us vulnerable in the wreckage of our own choices.
Patrick's desperate plan to keep Emilia and Christopher apart seemed like a brilliant strategy to save his ass after concealing the truth and being too cowardly to reveal it.
He was sure that it was going to work as he knew Christopher to be distant and disinterested in everything and everyone, and Emilia's ignorance. How could she possibly suspect anything or want to leave when she had a well-paid job that required minimal effort?
Yet, human nature is inherently changeable, often defying our expectations. Patrick failed to grasp the depth of Emilia's boredom or her lack of realisation that her account was being credited with £200,000 per day instead of the mere £200. Although she was still well-compensated, it wasn't enough to keep her tethered to a job that lacked fulfillment.
And he didn't know Christopher enough to notice the subtle changes in him. Each passing day, Christopher found himself falling deeper in love with his wife, battling against his inner voice and slowly succumbing to the allure of crossing the self-imposed boundaries that separated them.
The more he discovered about Emilia, the more his desire grew. She embodied the partner of his dreams, a realisation he hadn't known was possible. And now she was within reach and he couldn't not see it.
Another flaw of human nature is our ineptitude at effective communication. Often, a profound conversation can unravel misunderstandings and lead us to the truth. Unfortunately, we neglect this vital aspect, driven instead by our internal thoughts, emotions, and biases, which cloud our judgment.
This introduction sets the stage for what unfolds next—a testament to how we frequently become our own worst adversaries, concealing our true selves beneath layers of deception.
For weeks, Emilia found herself engrossed in conversations with Jacob, deliberately dismissing any thoughts of Christopher as she was firmly convinced he would never take notice of her. Even if he did, she believed herself unworthy of his attention.
She did everything in her power to forget the memory of his smile and the way his captivating eyes met hers as they lay in the meadow, after she made him worried that she might've been knocked off her newly found bike. Suppressing her burgeoning feelings for Christopher was her first error, followed by forcing herself to believe that her growing fondness for Jacob might evolve into something more. He was the potential pursuit that could lead to a happy relationship.
There was nothing inherently wrong with Jacob; he was the kindest man she had ever met, and he was approachable, which Christopher wasn't.
So truly, what was wrong was that Emilia was shutting her feelings down as she wrongly assumed that Christopher would never care about someone like her.
This is bringing us back to the day when Emilia received the first dinner invitation from Jacob. She was determined to make the best impression, ensuring no conflicting plans with Patrick and informing him of her absence.
As she readied herself, Emilia appeared truly magnificent in a knee-length black dress that accentuated her figure.
She also excelled with applying her makeup, enhancing her natural beauty while drawing attention to her mesmerizing eyes.
She wore her simple yet elegant jewellery which didn't distract from her beauty, but rather added a touch of sparkle that mirrored the gleam in her eyes.
Ready to impress, Emilia picked up her petite black clutch and made her way toward the manor's exit. As fate would have it, Mr. Hayden returned home from work just as she approached the door. Christopher's face lit up instantly upon seeing Emilia.
"Good evening, Emilia. Where are you off to?" Christopher began removing his coat.
"Good evening, Mr. Hayden. There's no event tonight, and I've made arrangements with Patrick to be out," Emilia replied, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"That didn't answer my question," Christopher noted.
"Oh," Emilia looked at Christopher, perplexed. She didn't particularly want to divulge her personal life to him, but neither did she wish to be dishonest. "I've been invited to dinner by Jacob Bleam."
"Dinner with Jacob Bleam?" Christopher asked, his smile fading replaced by pursed lips, irritation lacing his words.
"Well, yes."
"Why?"
"I was invited to continue some of our conversations." Emilia stumbled, feeling increasingly uncomfortable under Christopher's direct scrutiny.
"Conversations? Is that all?" Christopher's irritation grew.
"Well, Mr. Hayden, a conversation can be quite significant," Emilia replied, her cheeks ablaze.
"I'm not sure what to say. Am I expected to say 'have fun'?" Christopher's tone was cold, hiding his increasing anger.
"That would be nice, Mr Hayden." Emilia answered honestly. Christopher was dumbfounded. He opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. Yet no words left his lips. "Have a good night, Mr Hayden." Emilia uttered before she rushed out of the house, towards the main road where a taxi awaited her.
Christopher looked behind her, speechless and hurt.
He couldn't comprehend why his wife would seek the company of another man. As he tried to make sense of it all, he realized that while he had vowed loyalty and faithfulness, he had never explicitly asked for the same in return. The contract was clear about what she was to expect of him. He never made expectations of her explicit.
All the more reasons for him to think that Emilia will leave him as the year drew to a close, releasing her from the contractual clauses tied to his father's inheritance. But as he tried to reason with himself, finding comfort in the living room armchair and a glass of scotch, his heart didn't believe a single thought he put forward, tearing him apart in silent agony.