Max, whats that? Emma asked sharply, clutching a shirt. Whats this pink stain? Somebodys lipstick? Youve been staying late at work again, havent you?
Emma, what are you on about? Max replied wearily, sorting through his work gear. I just got off shift. Lipstick? The only woman in our ward is Nurse Nancy. Honestly Im exhausted.
Emma smoothed her hair, crumpled the shirt and marched to the bathroom. Max let out a heavy sigh.
It had been over six months since Emma and Max started dating. Everything seemed pictureperfect except for one thingEmma was terribly jealous. She could find a cause for suspicion even where none existed.
Look at this, Emma moaned, waving the shirt. Hes definitely cheating. Look at this!
She handed the garment to her sister, crossing her arms, clearly upset.
Kate, Emmas sister, sniffed the stain, stared at the fabric and burst out laughing.
Whats so funny? Emma snapped, offended.
Its just fruit jam, love.
Emma snatched the shirt back, gave it a cautious sniff, and her expression turned a mixture of surprise and bewilderment.
Time to calm down, dear. I cant fathom where this paranoia comes from.
She sat opposite Kate.
We didnt just start seeing each other. I ended his previous relationship, Emma confessed, looking away. Hed cheated on his ex with me. At first I thought hed never leave me, then realised he would and quickly too.
Thats no excuse to harp on betrayal. Learn to trust.
I do trust him, Emma protested. I just keep worrying Ill lose him.
Kate shook her head, unsure what to say.
Where were you? Emma asked, arms folded. Its one a.m.
Max sighed, tired.
Emma, you let me stay out with the lads. We watched the footie, had a few drinks, relaxed. Whats the problem?
Daves been home for ages, I called Lily. Where have you been the past two hours?
Dave left early, promised his wife, and Sergey and I stayed behind. Emma, calm down. Im off to bed.
Max padded to the bedroom and collapsed onto the mattress, hoping to forget Emmas chronic jealousy and feel lighthearted again, just like before. But Emma was about to ruin it, as usual.
Emma left the supermarket, eyes glued to her phone, oblivious to the world. She turned her head sideways and gasped. Across the street, on a lamppost, Max was chatting happily with a blonde woman, pressing her close without a hint of shame.
Emmas vision went cloudy; she flung the grocery bag aside and lunged at Max. Grabbing the womans arm, she pulled her away.
I knew it! Emma shouted. I knew you were cheating! Youre a liar! she shook her head. No, I was right! Youre a cheat!
Max stared gloomily at Emma, his fists clenched, his eyes flicking guilty looks at the bewildered blonde.
Emma
Dont even speak to me. I know what youll say. I wont hear any more excuses.
Shes my halfsister, Max interrupted. Kates cousin. Youve met her before. And Vicky, shes my sister; we grew up together. You should head home; well talk there.
Emma, flustered, muttered a quick sorry and left.
Max got home late, hurt and with his lips pressed so hard together they seemed to have vanished. He barely glanced at Emma.
Max
Im fed up, he admitted. I cant understand why youre so jealous. Since we started dating, its been one accusation after another. Your eyes constantly suspect. Youre jealous of patients, nurses, doctors, even lampposts. Its crossed the line Im truly tired.
Max! Emma wailed. Are you trying to break up? Please I love you! Forgive me, Ill try not to let it happen again.
Emma fell to her knees, clutching his hands, staring into his eyes. Max felt a pang of pity; he truly loved her and had even ended a fiveyear relationship for her. He never imagined he could be in such a bind, but Emma had captured his soul. Now doubt gnawed at him from within.
I love you, he whispered, squeezing her hand. But what youre doing is unhealthy. I cant live like this.
I wont do it again, Emma sobbed. Never. Just stay with me. You dont understand, I cant live without you.
Max exhaled and pulled her close. He couldnt leave her, not after everything.
For the next few months their relationship settled down; Emma stopped shouting jealousy, at least outwardly, and Max enjoyed her company, even skipping early work shifts and staying later.
Autumn came, bringing a wave of patients. Max was too exhausted to arrive early, so he ate dinner at home and went straight to bed.
Emmas suspicion flared again. At first she tried to trust him, not asking why his shirt smelled of foreign perfume. After all, the ward was mostly women of similar agenothing to worry about. Yet each day her doubts grew; she watched him, examined his shirts, tried to sniff out clues.
One evening, after work, Max raced to the shower, eager to get to bed. He opened the door almost silently and saw Emma scrolling through his phone.
Emma what are you doing? he asked.
She jumped, thrusting the phone away.
Just making a call.
Max glanced at the pinkcased phone on the bedside table.
Your own dead?
Its dead.
The screen lit up with a message.
Completely dead? Youre still lying? Max raised an eyebrow, bemused. Want me to dig up more dirt?
Sorry, Emma murmured.
Found what you were looking for? Miss Marple Max snapped, irritated.
Emma shook her head.
Max quietly gathered his things from the wardrobe. Emma sprang from the bed, clutching his wrist.
Please, no! I wont do this again. I trust you, Max!
No, Emma, I forgave you once; I wont step on the same rake twice. Im fed up. I just want a calm life, mutual trust. Thats not happening.
After half an hour Max had packed everything, leaving Emma sitting on the bed, hands wrapped around her knees.
I love you, truly. But I cant go on like this. What about you? You wont change.
Max left the rented flat and went back to his parents house. He was utterly drained.
Distrust destroys even the strongest bonds, the moral went. Emma probably feared Max would betray her just as hed betrayed his ex, but shed chosen him herself. Without trust there can be neither love nor friendship, nor any partnership. That was her biggest mistake.