"Nothing important," Emma insisted. "He was trying to convince me to... to get back together with him. But I told him no, James. I told him I'm happily married."
James's eyes narrowed. "Are you? Happily married?"
The question hung in the air between them, heavy with implication.
Emma felt tears pricking at her eyes. "Of course I am. James, please. You have to believe me."
"Like you believed me this morning?" James countered. "You were so quick to accuse me of lying, and now I find you here with your ex."
"That's different!" Emma protested. "I didn't invite Mark here. You were the one who didn't come home all night!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Emma knew she'd made a mistake. James's face hardened.
"I see," he said coldly. "So you thought you'd what? Get even?"
Emma shook her head frantically. "No, James, that's not—"
"Save it," James cut her off. "I don't want to hear it. I came here to apologize for this morning, but clearly, I was the fool."