James has been unhappy for a very long time. His unhappiness stems from his marriage. When he needed someone to talk to about it, I was the one he came to. We were friends before we became neighbours. I was also friends with his wife, though not as close as my wife was. We did a lot together, as friends do—fun things.

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According to James, his wife cheated on him three years ago, and he caught her. He forgave her and kept the matter secret so no one would find out. Their marriage was never the same after that incident. They fought constantly, arguing about everything. A huge rift formed between them. James explained that he didn’t mention the incident to anyone because they had kids. He didn’t want anyone to know that the mother of his children had slept with another man.

James did his own cheating too. The woman he cheated with became pregnant, and since she didn’t want to abort, they agreed to have the baby in secret. It was the issues surrounding this secret child that had been troubling James and causing his unhappiness. He also talked about his finances and the fact that his wife contributed nothing financially to their marriage.

I watched him talk about everything while he was breaking down piece by piece. He needed a listening ear, and I provided that. He concluded, “Had it not been for the kids, I would have left this marriage to be alone. Look at what she made me do?”

My wife and I share everything. When someone tells me something in confidence, I always tell my wife. To me, my wife isn’t just anyone—she’s a part of me, my partner. I told my wife everything James said, except for the fact that his wife had cheated. James had explicitly said he didn’t want anyone to know about that, so I respected his wishes. I didn’t mention it but shared everything else.

The fact that James was contemplating divorce didn’t sit well with my wife. She asked, “He’s thinking about divorce when he’s the one who cheated and had a child out of it? Why are you men like that?”

Of course, one man’s sin is every man’s sin, so I got my share of the blame, even though I wasn’t James. Seeing how affected she was by the news, I had to warn her not to tell anyone. “James trusts me, which is why he shared his deepest secret. You weren’t supposed to know, but I trust you, which is why I told you. Let it end here.”

Two days later, James called me. He said, “Did you tell your wife what I shared with you? I thought we were brothers.”

I started panicking. I couldn’t say yes or no. Instead, I asked, “Did your wife tell you my wife spoke to her?” He replied, “That’s why I’m calling you. You’re the only one who knows this much about my struggles.”

I began apologizing, knowing fully well that an apology wouldn’t fix what had been broken. I went home furious, shaking with anger. At one point, I couldn’t see clearly—my vision blurred from the intensity of my emotions.

When I confronted my wife, she said, “I only told her so she would be careful around her husband. Divorce isn’t something you hide from a friend.” I asked, “How much did you tell her? Did you tell her everything?” She fell silent. The moment she looked down, I knew I was doomed. She had told her everything, even about James’s secret son.

James already knew what he had to do. He was considering an escape, though it was a difficult choice. I didn’t know what to do about my wife. I was filled with questions and regrets. How could she do this?

James has been gone for over a month now. He doesn’t answer my calls. His wife glares at me whenever she sees me. I’ve become the enemy of both, but that’s not my main concern. I’m more worried about their marriage. I go on my knees and pray they don’t divorce because of this. It reminds me of what the Bible says: that certain things will happen, but woe to the one through whom they come.

That Is The Craziest Thing I’ve Ever Done In The Name Of Love

I’ve been quiet since this issue arose. I don’t say much. I don’t eat much because I don’t have the appetite for a traitor’s meal. It’s silent around here. We’re consumed by guilt and shame, and I think that’s fitting. Once this is over, we won’t be the same again. I’ll keep my secrets and thoughts to myself and close my ears to whatever she brings home. I pray they survive this. I truly do.

—Emelia

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