I arrived home one evening and lay beside my husband on our bed. But when he woke, I saw the face of a stranger who revealed a shocking secret I couldn’t believe.
“You’re my grandfather?” I asked into the phone after receiving a strange call one day. I had no remaining family. My mother died of cancer several years ago, and my maternal grandparents passed when she was young.
I also didn’t know my father because my mom told me he disappeared after discovering she was pregnant with me. Sadly, I never built close relationships with men afterward.
But now, a stranger told me he was my grandfather and wanted to meet me. He tracked me down after doing a DNA test kit. I got the test mainly to learn about my health history, and somehow, I found family.
He lived in a different town and paid for my plane ticket to meet him. “Hello, Lucy. I’m Zachary Gaines. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said.
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you as well. I’m not good at small talk, so can I ask why my father left my mom when she was pregnant?” I asked right away.
My grandfather sighed and then began sharing his story. “My son, Peter, didn’t abandon you. One day, he went on a business trip that lasted months. When he returned, he said he had fallen in love and was getting married,” Zachary explained.
“We were happy he was settling down. But the next day, he was in a serious car crash and died. He never told us about your mother, and his phone was wrecked in the accident. We had no way to reach you,” he added with tears running down his face.
He kept sharing stories about my father and asked me to move to his town. He owned a publishing business and wanted me to work with him. I agreed, eager to have a family after many years alone.
Eventually, my grandfather had to stop working due to his health, and we hired Mary to be his full-time caregiver. She introduced me to her friend, Alex, and we immediately hit it off.
Our relationship was quick. I wasn’t very experienced with men, but he was handsome and loved me. We married a month after meeting, with my grandfather walking me down the aisle.
I worried about my grandfather’s health, but Alex was very supportive. I felt my family was perfect. Alex was wealthy, and we owned a beautiful home. He often helped at my grandfather’s house, where we grew very close.
“Honey, I’m at your granddad’s house. Where are you?” Alex asked over the phone.
I called him when I finished work. “Hey. I’m leaving now but want to go home and sleep in our bed,” I said while driving.
“Maybe I’ll stay here longer. Don’t wait for me,” Alex replied. I didn’t think much and kept going. But there was a delay due to an accident, and it took me an extra hour to get home.
Exhausted, I still noticed a strange pair of shoes at the door. They were sneakers, and Alex never wore that kind. I shrugged it off and went inside. I saw him sleeping on our bed and lay down beside him.
“Hey, babe. You got home earlier than me,” I said, cuddling. But when I looked, it wasn’t him.
“Hello,” said the man in my bed. I jumped up, startled and scared.
“Who are you?!” I yelled.
“Your husband… kind of,” the man answered.
“No, you’re not! I’m calling the police!” I threatened.
“You can’t unless you want to be jailed for living here illegally,” he said.
My jaw dropped. “What?!” I exclaimed. Then he told me something I never expected.
“I am Alex Cherry, and legally, I am your husband because my brother Todd has been pretending to be me for months. I went on a business trip in Africa and only found out when I hired a detective to find my brother,” he explained.
I didn’t want to believe him but he showed me proof.
“How can I trust you over my husband?” I asked, confused.
“I’ll prove it. Todd and I grew up wealthy, but he got into trouble often. Our parents disowned him. He’s committed crimes over the years, but I never thought he’d do this,” Alex said.
He showed me photos of them as kids, plus his mug shot and evidence. “He’s now with a woman named Mary, planning to steal my family’s company,” Alex added.
“My grandfather’s company! That’s why he pushed me to marry so fast,” I realized.
Then, the police arrested Todd and Mary at my grandfather’s house for crimes including identity theft. Luckily, my grandfather recovered, and the courts annulled my fake marriage.
Eventually, I married the real Alex. We started dating after I got past the deception, and finally, we married.
What lessons does this story teach?
Take your time to get to know someone. Lucy rushed into marriage with a stranger, and he was a scammer.
Be cautious with trust. Lucy trusted a stranger too easily.
Share this story with others. It might help or inspire them.
If you like this story, check out one about a girl bullied for being poor who got her revenge in the end.
‘I’m against It!’ Older Man Stops Wedding, a Minute Later Cops Arrest Groom
While standing inside the church with the man she loved most, a young woman looked at the priest as he asked if anyone opposed the marriage. Suddenly, an old man burst into the church, telling the priest he disapproved of the wedding.
While waiting at a party, Myron told Hilary, “You look stunning!” shortly after meeting her for the first time.
Hilary felt nervous when she saw him staring at her from head to toe. It had been a long time since a man complimented her, and she hadn't remembered how it felt when someone held her hand and looked into her eyes. Her last relationship had been very painful because of her ex's anger problems.
For visual illustration only, a photo shows a woman at a party.
Meeting Myron at her friend's gathering gave her a new hope. It made her think she could try again and see if this man, who looked at her as if she was the most beautiful girl in the room, might be different.
Myron stayed close to her all evening, joking and sharing details about himself. He wanted to impress her since he believed she was perfect for him.
The next day, Myron and Hilary met in a park. They talked about their interests, goals, and problems while walking together. Their conversation drew them closer, leading Myron to ask her out for another date.
“Hilary, I feel like you’re the girl I’ve been searching for all this time,” Myron said. “Would you be my girlfriend?”
“What?” Hilary covered her face with her hands, leaving only her bright eyes and forehead visible. She couldn’t believe the man she had met just two days ago wanted a relationship.
“Will you be my girlfriend?” Myron repeated, looking into her eyes.
“Yes!” she replied, wrapping her arms around him. “I’ll be your girlfriend, Myron.”
For visual illustration only, a photo shows a woman smiling at a man.
Hilary was happy to start a relationship because her previous one had broken her heart. She thought Myron's love could help her heal, unaware that he was hiding secrets.
However, when Hilary told her parents about him, doubts crept into their minds.
Soon after, Hilary introduced him to her parents. He quickly won their affection by telling them he lost his parents at a young age and missed them deeply.
“Don’t worry,” her mother said. “We are your parents now. You can tell us everything. We’re always here for you.”
Hilary felt relieved when her parents accepted her boyfriend. Their support made her believe she had made the right choice and that she was ready to spend her life with him.
The couple dated for five months before Myron made his next move. He took Hilary to a fancy restaurant on a date and got down on one knee amid many witnesses.
For visual illustration only, a photo shows a man proposing in a restaurant.
“I want to spend my life with you,” Myron said. “I want to share all my happiness and sadness with you. Will you marry me?”
Everyone in the restaurant gasped as Hilary watched him kneel and look into her eyes, waiting for her answer.
“Yes!” she exclaimed, holding his hands and pulling him up. She wrapped her arms around him, tears streaming down her face. She couldn’t believe that the man she loved wanted to marry her.
Hilary felt excited because she was deeply in love with Myron. Even though they had only known each other for five months, it didn’t seem strange to her that he proposed so quickly.
When she shared the news with her parents, they again felt unsure. They thought it was too soon for such a commitment, but after talking to him and seeing his admiration for their daughter, their doubts disappeared. Soon, they started making wedding plans, unaware that fate had other plans.
During the wedding preparations, Hilary noticed some unusual things about her soon-to-be husband. One day, she overheard him talking about material things with greed in his eyes.
“I can’t wait to see all the gifts people will give us!” he said eagerly.
Although she didn’t mention her concerns then, Hilary found it strange that he was more interested in expensive presents than in their relationship or future together. It seemed like Myron was focused on possessions rather than their bond.
A few days before the wedding, Myron visited Hilary at her home. He brought up an idea she wasn’t expecting: “I think we should sign a prenuptial agreement. What do you think?”
Hilary took a moment, then agreed. “Yes, that’s wise. We should be cautious.”
“I agree,” Myron said. “Let’s include a clause that says if you start a divorce, you'd pay a lot of money,” he said coldly.
Thinking this was unusual, Hilary was unsure if he was joking or not. She later called her lawyer to clarify.
Her lawyer explained that such clauses are common in prenups.
“Most likely, he would be required to pay if he filed for divorce first,” the lawyer confirmed.
Hilary felt a little better and decided she was ready to sign the agreement. But another odd incident made her doubt him even more.
One day, as she cleaned Myron’s cupboards, she found a divorce certificate with his name on it. Shocked, she confronted him immediately. “What is this? You never told me you were married!”
“Calm down!” he said. “It’s not what you think. Trust me.”
“Why are you hiding this from me? We’re getting married soon!” she yelled.
He held her shoulders and made her sit. “That marriage was a mistake. I was young and impulsive. It’s in the past and doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Why should I believe you?” she asked, rolling her eyes and turning away.
“It means nothing to me,” Myron insisted. “I just want to forget about it. That’s why I never told you. Trust me, sweetheart.”
“I’m marrying you in a few days, but I don’t even know who you are,” Hilary said as tears filled her eyes. “I’m starting to doubt my choice.”
He hugged her. “You know how much I love you. I would never lie to you. Please stop crying.”
He convinced her with his words, but in reality, he was hiding more than she knew.
The day before the wedding, a stranger shouted, “I’m against this marriage!”
While Myron was on the phone at Hilary’s house, he whispered, “If you mess this up, I won’t cover for you.” Hilary overheard and asked him who he was talking to.
“What’s going on, Myron?” she demanded.
“Just my ex-girlfriend,” he said dismissively. “She’s threatening to show up at the wedding.”
“Really?” she pressed.
“She’s lost her mind,” he replied confidently.
Despite his words, Hilary felt uneasy. Each suspicion made her more worried, but she didn’t know that she would uncover the truth about him sooner than expected.
On her wedding day, Hilary woke early and got ready, excited to marry her love. She was eager to see her groom. When she arrived at the church, her friends and family greeted her happily. Everyone was waiting for her to walk down the aisle.
She held her father’s hand as she moved towards the altar. All eyes were on her. When she reached the front, the priest started the vows. Then he asked if anyone was against the marriage.
Suddenly, a stranger shouted, “I object! I won’t let Myron marry this innocent girl.”
Everyone gasped. Hilary looked in shock at Myron, who stared angrily at the man.
“I warned you, didn’t I?” the man said. “Now you face the consequences for ignoring me.”
Suddenly, police officers burst into the church. Myron tried to run, but officers surrounded the building and arrested him. They dragged him out, leaving Hilary crying and asking what was happening.
“Where are they taking him?” she sobbed. “Myron, what did you do?”
She collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by what was unfolding.
A man approaching her apologized. “I’m sorry you’re feeling this way. The police arrested Myron because he’s accused of repeated scams.”
“What?” Hilary exclaimed. “How do you know that?”
“I am his estranged father,” the man said. “Call me Mr. Brown.”
Hilary was shocked. “But he said his parents had died.”
Mr. Brown explained, “He keeps lying to women. I found out he’s a professional seller of fake promises, marrying women for money.”
Hilary couldn’t believe her ears.
“I tried to stop him,” the man said. “But he cut ties with me when I found out. The police came to my house looking for him one day. He gave them my address everywhere he went. His mother cheated on me too.”
Later, Mr. Brown revealed he had warned Myron after learning about Hilary. He wanted his son not to hurt her feelings, but Myron wouldn’t listen.
“You called him yesterday?” Hilary asked. “He told me it was his ex-girlfriend.”
“No,” Mr. Brown said. “It was me.”
She finally understood why Myron had acted so strangely. She thanked Mr. Brown for his help.
Myron was taken to court and ordered to pay restitution to each woman he had scammed. A few months later, Hilary received her share of the settlement money but decided not to keep it.
“This is for you,” she said, giving the money to Mr. Brown. “Thanks for saving me.”
This story shows that lying and deception have consequences. Myron thought he could keep deceiving women, but he was eventually caught. Sometimes, doing the right thing for loved ones means making difficult choices, even if it means punishing a family member.
I Sent Out Christmas Postcards This Year – Soon After, I Received a Text Saying,
'Hon, That's Not Your Hubby in the Pic!'
I prepared a holiday photo session with my husband and son to send out Christmas cards, but a single message from my sister-in-law weeks later shattered my entire life. What I believed was an ideal moment turned out to be a complete fabrication.
Five years ago, I stepped into a coffee shop seeking only a peaceful afternoon escape, but fate had other plans. I'm Seraphina, or Sera for short, and I enjoy watching people.
When I saw Thomas across the room, I felt an immediate attraction. He exuded confidence and warmth, with his nose buried in a book, yet he easily laughed with the barista, Kai.
Honestly, his friendly interaction with the server made me feel like I was in a movie scene. Once Kai went back to work, I caught Thomas’s gaze and smiled at him.
He returned the smile, and after a moment, he smirked. That was enough for me.
I sat at his table, and for the next few hours, we talked non-stop. We discussed life, trips, and even random oddities usually kept private.
He seemed genuine. By the time we parted, I believed I had found something rare. I had no idea that what I was feeling — what I thought was true — would come crashing down just when I was happiest.
Two years later, Thomas and I married. A year after that, our son Max was born, and life felt perfect. We had a cozy house in the suburbs and what appeared to be an ideal family life. But nothing is ever truly perfect.
Parenthood brought joy but also stress, and the strain showed on Thomas more than I expected. He often arrived home late, distracted, carrying his phone like a lifeline.
But I ignored it.
After tough times, I decided to do something special that year. I always wanted to send Christmas cards, so I scheduled a family photo shoot.
On the day, Thomas was late. When he finally arrived, he seemed rushed and kept checking his watch. He barely listened to the photographer’s instructions or paid attention to me or Max.
I was annoyed he was late, but having us all together made the effort worthwhile. We were a family, and this would be our memory — even if I had to pay extra to extend the session.
When it ended, Thomas quickly patted Max’s head and mumbled about an important meeting before leaving in a hurry.
I was annoyed but tried to focus on how beautiful the photos would be.
A few weeks later, the Christmas cards arrived. I was proud to send them out, even if it was a little effort. I should have just used email, but physical cards felt more special. I kept digital copies for myself.
But my happiness shattered about a week later when I received one message.
As I scrolled through the pictures again with pride, my phone suddenly buzzed with a message that froze me. It was from Eliza, Thomas’s sister.
Eliza is straightforward, someone who notices everything, and she usually doesn’t hold back.
Her words were brief and harsh:
“HON, THAT'S NOT YOUR HUSBAND IN THE PICTURE!”
I stared at the message, confused. Surely she was mistaken. I responded, “What do you mean? How could that be?”
She replied almost immediately. “JUST LOOK CLOSER AT HIS RIGHT HAND!”
I was puzzled. I zoomed in on the photo I had sent out. When I looked closely, I gasped.
There was a small mole near Thomas’s pinky finger. It seemed harmless, but my husband didn’t have that mole. I knew who did.
The man in the photo wasn’t Thomas at all. It was his twin brother, Jake.
Why would Jake pretend to be Thomas? I thought about the shoot — how he had shown up late and hurried out.
Was it all planned? It sounded crazy, even cruel, but there it was.
When Thomas came home an hour later, he headed straight for the shower. That's when I did something I never thought I would.
I checked his pants and took his phone. I looked at the call records first. I’m not proud, but I had to know why he had made that strange switch.
He had called me, his brother, and a number saved as “Pizzeria.” But he called that one multiple times just that day.
Thomas loved pizza, but how many times could he eat in a day? My instincts told me to call.
The shower was still running, and I could hear him singing, so I hurried to dial.
The phone rang until someone answered.
“Hello, Amelia speaking!” a woman’s voice said warmly.
This wasn’t “Pizzeria,” but I now had a name. A plan quickly formed in my mind as I started to speak.
I pretended to be a delivery person calling for an order. "Hi, I have an order for this number from my client, Thomas, but I lost the address."
Amelia responded sarcastically, laughing annoyingly. Her tone grated on me.
I kept going. "Yes, sorry about that. Could you remind me of the address? And please, don’t leave a bad review or tell my client. I need this job, and this surprise might brighten your day."
She sighed like I was causing trouble but recited her address. That was all I needed.
She lived nearby, which was convenient despite being unsettling. After dropping Max at my mom’s, I drove over pretending to be a delivery.
Just before knocking, I started recording on my phone and then knocked.
She answered quickly, with a smirk that gave me chills. But her expression changed when she saw me; her eyes widened, and she crossed her arms.
“Ah, I should’ve known this would be strange,” Amelia said, her smirk returning. "You must be Seraphina."
“Yes,” I said tightly. “And you’re Amelia?”
“Correct,” she nodded.
I forced myself to stay calm. “Are you seeing my husband?” I asked, hoping I was wrong.
She threw her head back and laughed loudly, cruelly.
“Yes, I am. And I knew about you from the very start. I didn’t care. And clearly, he didn’t either,” she said coldly.
Her words hit like a punch. I clenched my teeth and pressed on. “And Jake? Why would Thomas have his brother pose in our family photo?”
Her smile dimmed slightly, thrown off by my question.
But after a moment, she grinned again.
“Oh, the photo shoot! That was the day he met my parents. He couldn’t miss that for some stupid Christmas card, right? So Jake stepped in,” she explained casually.
“Does his family know?” I asked.
“Only Jake, I think. But it’s only a matter of time,” she replied. “He’ll leave you soon for me.”
I almost felt relieved. At least Eliza hadn’t betrayed me.
But I still wanted to scream or cry. I pushed down my emotions, quickly pulled out my phone, stopped the recording, took a picture of her, and left without another word.
When I got home, Thomas was in the kitchen. I marched right to him with my phone and a printed Christmas card.
“Explain this,” I demanded, holding both up.
His face turned pale as he looked at them. “Sera, I can explain—”
I cut him off. “Oh, I believe you. Amelia told me everything. I know it’s Jake in that picture — Eliza told me. Now tell me, why shouldn’t I walk out right now?”
Thomas struggled to speak, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly, without words. I didn’t want to hear his excuses anyway.
“I’m done. I want a divorce. I won’t be nice. I have proof of your cheating, and Eliza will back me. Good luck in court,” I said coldly and headed to pack my things.
I left for my mom’s, feeling proud. I told everyone who received a card to throw it away because I would send new ones soon.
A few months later, my lawyer obtained alimony, child support, and seventy percent of our house’s value. I sold the house, gave him his share, and cut all ties.
He tried to get me back, even with Amelia. Maybe his parents and Eliza were angry at him and Jake for their lies and scheming. Or maybe he just wanted the money. I didn’t care.
When he begged on his porch, crying and pleading, I was surprised how fast I moved on — especially after loving him so much.
Anger helped me through that.
The main lesson I learned is to listen when someone points out something strange and trust my instincts. My son and I are doing well now, and this year’s cards are better — no impostors this time.
I Had No Doubt My Son Brought His New Girlfriend on Our Family Trip – Until I Accidentally Saw a Text on His Phone
I planned a family holiday, expecting it to be a moment to bond with my husband and son. Instead, it exposed a betrayal that turned our calm escape into a nightmare. What I experienced there is something I will never forget.
Family trips are meant to bring you closer, right? At least, that’s what I had always believed.
But this time, what began as a cherished family tradition became the most terrible time of my life.
Being a working mother has never been simple, but I’ve always taken pride in balancing my career and family life.
My job keeps me so occupied that I often arrive home well after dinner has been cleared and the lights are out.
Despite that, I’ve always made sure my family has everything they need.
My husband, Mark, used to have a stable job, but things changed when he was laid off a couple of years ago. He took on odd jobs here and there, doing what he could, but most of our household costs fell on my shoulders.
Honestly, I didn’t mind. That’s what you do for your family, right?
However, lately I started noticing some cracks.
My job left me with less time to connect with Mark because he’d usually be asleep when I got home, making me feel we were drifting apart.
But I didn’t dwell on it. I believed we would reconnect during our yearly vacation.
Our yearly vacation is a tradition we’ve kept alive all these years. No matter how tight our finances, we always set aside time to escape for a few days together.
It was something I looked forward to because it felt like a real chance to reconnect as a family and create lasting memories.
This year, I wanted the trip to be extra special. Especially since Mark had been struggling to find a good job recently. I thought it might lift his spirits.
“We need this,” I said to Mark one evening after a long day at work. “A few days away from everything, just us three.”
“But I don’t have a job right now, and—”
“No objections,” I replied. “I’ll handle everything. And I believe you’ll find something new once you come back with a clear head. Don’t worry.”
“Okay,” he said with a smile. “Thanks for everything you do for us. Eric will love the trip too.”
Our son, Eric, is 20 and in college. Like most young adults his age, he’s caught up in parties, friends, and social media. But when I called him to tell him about our plans, he sounded genuinely excited.
“Yeah, Mom, I’m in!” he said. “Can’t wait to spend time together.”
Hearing that warmed my heart.
A day later, however, Eric called me back with a request. “Mom, would it be okay if I brought my girlfriend along?”
His girlfriend? That was new to me.
“Uh, I guess so,” I said hesitantly. “What’s her name?”
“Jessica,” he answered. “She’s great. You’ll love her.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about him bringing someone I’d never met. Our vacations had always been just the three of us, and adding someone new felt strange. But Eric seemed so excited, and I didn’t want to crush his enthusiasm. He said they’d been seeing each other for three months.
“Alright,” I said finally. “She can come with us.”
As the trip neared, I threw myself into the planning. I wanted everything to be perfect.
Little did I realize, this vacation wouldn’t be about bonding or relaxing. It would turn into one of my worst nightmares.
Jessica arrived with us at the airport, looking like she stepped out of a fashion magazine. Her sleek attire, perfectly styled hair, and radiant smile immediately grabbed everyone’s attention, especially Mark’s.
He appeared quite smitten, helping her with her suitcase and complimenting her choice of shoes. I dismissed it as simple politeness.
After all, she was Eric’s girlfriend. What was the harm?
Initially, Jessica seemed nice, but soon, little oddities started to surface.
At dinner on our first night, I tried to connect with her.
“Jessica, have you seen Eric play basketball yet?” I asked.
Her eyes widened, and she hesitated before answering, “Basketball? We’ve never talked about that.”
My eyebrows lifted in surprise. Basketball had been Eric’s passion for years. His social media was full of team photos and game clips. How could his girlfriend of three months not know that?
I looked at Eric, who was busy texting and didn’t notice anything.
The next day, Eric suggested we all try jet-skiing. He was excited, explaining how much fun it would be, but Jessica frowned.
“I’m not really into water sports,” she said.
Wait… wasn’t he already aware of that? I wondered. That’s strange.
Soon, Eric’s enthusiasm faded, but he quickly suggested we explore instead.
Later, as everyone relaxed by the pool, I overheard Jessica asking Eric about his major.
“Biology, right?” she giggled. “I keep forgetting!”
My heart skipped a beat. What was going on here?
This young woman claiming to be my son’s girlfriend had no clue about his love for basketball. She didn’t know his major, and she didn’t seem interested in learning. Meanwhile, Eric was constantly doting on her—getting her drinks, carrying her bag, even rescuing her from an uncomfortable sun lounger.
Calm, Colleen, I told myself. Don’t overthink. Maybe Jessica just needs more time.
But something felt off.
Halfway through the trip, I was looking for sunscreen in Eric’s bag when I found a small velvet box. Curious, I opened it and saw a beautiful diamond necklace.
It looked very expensive, and I couldn’t believe my son had bought such a fancy gift for his girlfriend.
How did he manage to save enough for it? I wondered.
That evening, I casually brought it up.
“Eric, I found the necklace in your bag,” I said with a smile. “It’s lovely, and I’m sure Jessica will love it.”
He looked at me with wide eyes, as if I’d said something I shouldn’t.
“Yeah, I… I’ve been saving for it,” he stammered. “I liked it a lot, so I thought I’d get it for her. She deserves it.”
“Wow, that’s impressive!” I said, forcing a smile. “I’m proud of you!”
I wasn’t convinced my son, a college student on a tight budget, could afford such an expensive item. I chose not to press further, but my instincts told me there was more to this necklace than he admitted.
Jessica’s indifference toward Eric’s life, her lack of real interest, and now this mysterious necklace? Nothing added up.
On the last morning of our trip, the hotel was quiet. Mark was downstairs having breakfast, while Eric and Jessica lay by the pool.
I stayed in the suite, sipping coffee, trying to make sense of everything.
That’s when Eric’s phone, charging nearby, buzzed with a notification.
I glanced at it absentmindedly. My eyes widened when I read the message.
+$500 to our deal. Thanks for covering for me with the necklace.
The sender? Mark.
My stomach sank as I processed what I’d just read. I quickly grabbed Eric’s phone, unlocking it with the code I’d seen him use once.
I knew invading his privacy wasn’t right, but I had to see more.
The message history revealed a web of betrayal I hadn’t imagined.
Mark and Eric had plotted together for weeks. Jessica wasn’t truly Eric’s girlfriend—they had been unfaithful. She was Mark’s mistress.
Eric had been pretending to date her so Mark could bring her along without me suspecting. The “deal” involved money Mark promised Eric in exchange for silence. And the necklace? Mark had bought it with my money.
Staring at the screen, so many questions flooded my mind.
How could Mark do this to me? And Eric? Why did he agree? I wondered. They thought they could betray me and get away with it?
Anger and heartbreak washed over me.
But I knew I couldn’t ignore it.
That evening, I called everyone to dinner at the hotel restaurant. I dressed carefully, choosing a nice outfit and wearing the diamond necklace Mark bought for his mistress.
I wanted to look composed and strong, even if inside I felt shattered.
When I entered, they turned to look at me. Jessica’s face lit up initially, but her smile faded when she saw I wore her necklace.
“Mom, why are you wearing Jessica’s necklace?” Eric asked. “That was her gift.”
“Oh, really?” I said with a chuckle. “That’s odd. Because your dad bought it with MY MONEY.”
Mark’s face turned pale.
“What are you talking about?” he stammered. “What—”
“Stop pretending, Mark,” I said, rolling my eyes.
Then I turned to Jessica. “I don’t know what your son told you, but he’s currently unemployed. He lost his job years ago and has been struggling to find steady work since.”
“But, I—”
“Shh!” I interrupted her. “Let me finish. I’ve been paying for everything since he lost his job. All of it—this trip, the necklace, and even the money Mark promised Eric to go along with this scam.”
“Mom, I didn’t mean to… I didn’t know—” Eric stammered.
I looked at him with tears streaming down my face.
“I never thought my son could do something like this,” I said. “I had no idea I was paying my own boy to lie to me.”
That was the last thing I said to them. I stood up and walked back to my room.
The next morning, I returned home alone. Eric and Mark kept calling, but I refused to answer.
A week later, I filed for divorce. Jessica disappeared once she found out Mark had no money, leaving him humiliated and lonely.
As for Eric, we are trying to rebuild our relationship. He made a mistake, but he’s still my son. I hope he understands what Mark did that day was completely wrong.
I pray he never follows his father’s example.
If you liked this story, here’s another one you might enjoy: When Lexie overhears her husband talking with the neighbor’s daughter about their affair, she doesn’t cry or confront them. Instead, she plans. With a clever invitation and a surprising twist, she turns their betrayal around, delivering justice with flair. Revenge has never been so satisfying.
This story is inspired by real events but has been fictionalized for entertainment. Names and details may have been changed to protect privacy. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental. The author and publisher do not claim accuracy and are not responsible for misinterpretations.
