Anya stopped by the café during her lunch breakwhat a day it had been at the office! Reports, deadlines, and now all she wanted was a quick bite and a moment of peace. Maybe a smørrebrød and a coffee would help. The café in central Copenhagen was quiet, almost empty, just how she liked it. But as she stepped inside, her heart dropped. There, at a corner table, sat her husband, Mikkel, deep in conversation with a glamorous woman.
Anya froze, like someone had poured ice water down her back. The woman looked like shed walked straight out of a fashion shootbleached blonde, designer dress, and enough jewelry to blind someone. Mikkel was leaning in, whispering something that made her laugh while she played with her cocktail glass. Anyas stomach twisted. “Is this really happening?” she thought, gripping her bag tighter.
Her first instinct? Storm over there and make a scene. But no, that was too easy. Instead, she slipped into a seat where she could watch unnoticed. She ordered her smørrebrød but barely touched it, too busy staring at them. Mikkels phone buzzedshed called himand he silenced it without a second glance. Anya clenched her jaw. “Oh, so you’re busy, huh?”
The woman giggled again, flicking her hair, and Anyas nails dug into her palm. She forced herself to breathe. “Okay, stay calm. Think.” Then, as luck would have it, a tall, broad-shouldered guy walked pastthe kind who looked like he belonged in a Danish crime drama. Anya made a quick decision.
“Undskyld mig,” she called out, flashing a smile. He turned, raising an eyebrow. “Listen, this is gonna sound ridiculous, but” She nodded toward Mikkel. “Thats my husband. And I think hes cheating. Would you mind playing along for a minute?”
The guyJakobgrinned. “Sure, why not?” He slid into the seat across from her.
Anya leaned in, laughing too loudly, brushing Jakobs arm. A quick glance at Mikkelhis head snapped up. Confusion, then panic flickered across his face. He tried to play it cool, but his fingers drummed the table. The blonde said something, but Mikkel barely responded now.
“Perfect,” Anya muttered. She grabbed Jakobs hand. “Lets take a walk.”
They strolled past Mikkels table, and Anya dropped her sweetest, most innocent voice. “Nå, hej skat! Første gang jeg ser dig i dag. Hvem er din veninde?”
Mikkel choked. The blonde stiffened. “Detdet er en kollega,” he stammered.
“En kollega?” Anya tilted her head. “Sjovt, du sagde du skulle møde en kunde.”
The blondes smile vanished. “Er du gift?” she hissed at Mikkel.
Before he could answer, she snatched her bag and stormed out. Mikkel spun on Anya, furious. “Hvad fanden laver du? Hun var en vigtig klient! Nu er hele aftalen øjdelagt!”
Anya crossed her arms. “Og hvad med ham her?” She jerked her chin at Jakob.
“Så du har også været utro?” Mikkels voice cracked.
“Ja,” Anya lied, chin high.
Jakob coughed. “Jeg tror lige jeg smutter” He bolted for the door.
Mikkel threw a handful of kroner on the table and left without another word. Anyas hands shook. She couldnt even face going back to work. Instead, she went straight home, where Mikkel was waiting, slumped on the sofa.
“Anya,” he said quietly. “Var det sandt? Har du?”
Hun sukkede. “Nej. Jeg kendte ham ikke. Jeg så dig, og jeg blev så vred.”
Mikkel raked a hand through his hair. “Det var dumt af mig. Jeg skulle have fortalt dig. Hun betød ingentingdet var bare forretning. Jeg lover, jeg ville aldrig”
Anya leaned into him, exhaustion hitting. “Bare lov mig du ikke lyver igen.”
“Jeg lover,” he murmured, kissing her hair. “Und jeg.”
She closed her eyes. The anger was still there, but so was relief. Maybe, just maybe, theyd be okay.
