Mary always believed her husband Stephen’s excuses for missing anniversaries, birthdays, and family gatherings. But when another “business trip” threatened to ruin her birthday, she decided to dig deeper. What she uncovered about his secret life left her pale with shock.
“It’s for work out east,” Stephen would say, adjusting his tie with that reassuring smile. “Another trip to DC, eight days.” Then he’d kiss her cheek, suitcase in hand, leaving their home emptier each time.
Mary, an HR executive, rarely traveled for work. Stephen, however, seemed to be gone constantly—at least four times a month. At first, she accepted it. But as he missed every milestone, resentment grew. The sound of his suitcase wheels became unbearable.
This year, he was set to miss her birthday again.
“Stephen, you’re seriously going to miss my birthday for another trip?” Mary snapped, glaring at him.
“I’m sorry, babe. You know I don’t have a choice. It’s work,” he replied, zipping his suitcase. Promises to “make it up” had long lost meaning.
That night, Mary lay awake, determined not to spend another birthday alone. She decided to call his boss.
The next morning, she found his boss’s number. “Hi, John, it’s Mary. Could you reschedule Stephen’s trip? Tomorrow’s my birthday…”
John sounded confused. “Mary, Stephen isn’t scheduled for any trips. He hasn’t traveled for work at all. Traveling isn’t part of his job.”
Mary’s hands trembled. If Stephen wasn’t on business trips, where was he going?
Later that day, she kissed him goodbye, pretending nothing was wrong. “Have a safe flight.”
“Thanks, babe. I’ll call when I land,” he said, hugging her before stepping into a cab.
Mary grabbed her keys and followed. Her heart raced. Was he having an affair? Was he in trouble? The cab wasn’t heading to the airport—it stopped at his grandparents’ old house, long abandoned.
Stephen unlocked the door and went inside.
Mary knocked moments later. Stephen’s face went pale. “Mary, what are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here? You told me you were on a business trip! Are you cheating?”
“Please, calm down. Come inside,” he urged.
Inside, he explained: “I’m not cheating. I come here to be alone. To escape. This house is peaceful.”
Mary wanted to believe him—until she noticed freshly washed dishes. He had just arrived. Who had done them?
She pressed further, moving through the house. In the bathroom, she found her answer: a terrified woman hiding.
Tears filled Mary’s eyes. “Every time you said you were traveling, you were meeting her. Your mistress.”
Stephen tried to reach for her. “Mary, I’m sorry—”
“Don’t. Just shut up,” she cried. “You’ve been lying to me all along.”
She rushed out, ignoring his pleas. “We’re done. You’ll hear from my lawyer. Divorce papers are coming.”
Driving away, tears streamed down her face. The man she loved had betrayed her. Yet amid the heartbreak, she felt relief—it was finally over.
Days later, she filed for divorce. The memory of catching him replayed endlessly, but friends and family rallied around her. Slowly, she rebuilt her life, focusing on her career and rediscovering joy.
Mary knew one thing: she deserved honesty, respect, and a love that wasn’t built on lies.
