My name is Anna, and I am 32 years old. For two years, I believed I had the perfect marriage. Derek and I met through mutual friends, and our love story moved fast. By the time we got married, I was convinced he was my soulmate. But lately, something felt wrong.
It started with small things: late nights at work, a faint trace of perfume on his clothes, and his phone, which was suddenly always in his hand. It buzzed constantly, but before I could glance at the screen, he would swipe it away.
At first, I told myself I was imagining things. “He’s just busy,” I reassured myself. “It’s nothing.” But the nagging feeling wouldn’t go away. And when he started taking calls in another room, whispering into the phone, I knew I had to find out the truth.
One night, after dinner, I took a deep breath and decided to confront him. My heart pounded, but I was determined to get answers.
“Derek, can we talk?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.
“Of course, babe. What’s on your mind?” He looked up from his phone, flashing a casual smile, as if nothing was wrong.
I folded my arms. “You’ve been acting different lately. You’re always on your phone. You come home late. And…” I took a breath. “I smell perfume on you, Derek. A scent that isn’t mine. Just tell me the truth.”
For a moment, he just stared at me. Then, he sighed and set his phone down. “Okay. You’re right.”
My stomach twisted. “Right about what?”
“There’s someone else.” He lowered his eyes, unable to meet my gaze.
My world tilted. “Someone else?” I repeated, barely able to process his words.
“Her name’s Jessica,” he admitted. “But listen, it’s not what you think.”
A bitter laugh escaped me. “Not what I think? You’re cheating on me, Derek! What else could it possibly be?”
“It’s complicated,” he said quickly. “I love you, Anna. You’re my best friend. But I… I love her too. In a different way.”
I clenched my fists under the table, trying to control the storm of emotions building inside me. “So, what are you saying? You want a divorce?”
“No!” he said, shaking his head. “I don’t want to lose you. I was thinking… maybe we could all live together.”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You have to understand,” he said, his voice almost pleading. “I love you as a person. But I love her as a woman. I don’t want to choose. Maybe we could all live together… you, me, and Jessica.”
For a moment, I was speechless. Was he serious? He wanted me to share my home, my marriage, my life with the woman he had betrayed me with? My first instinct was to scream, to throw something, to kick him out on the spot. But then, an idea started forming.
I forced a small smile. “Alright,” I said. “If this is going to work, I need to meet her.”
Derek’s eyes widened. “You do?”
“Yes,” I said smoothly. “Invite her over for dinner. Let’s see if this could actually work.”
Derek beamed, clearly relieved. “You’re amazing, Anna!”
I smiled back, but inside, I was burning. “Just amazing,” I murmured, already planning my next move.
The next evening, I set the table carefully, every plate and fork in its place. My stomach churned, but I kept my expression calm.
I heard Derek’s car pull into the driveway. Moments later, the door opened, and he walked in with her.
“Anna, this is Jessica,” he said, stepping aside.
Jessica looked younger than I expected—mid-20s, maybe—with long blonde hair and a careful smile. She wore a fitted dress, the kind that said, “I’m trying, but not too hard.” Her eyes flicked over me, sizing me up.
“Hi, Anna,” she said, reaching out for a handshake. Her grip was soft and hesitant.
“Jessica,” I said warmly, shaking her hand. “Welcome. Please, make yourself at home.”
As we sat down to eat, I watched everything—every glance, every movement, every silent message passed between them. Jessica’s laugh was high-pitched and sugary sweet. She leaned in when she spoke to Derek, her fingers brushing his arm. And Derek? He was trying to act normal, but he kept glancing at me, as if waiting for me to explode.
I didn’t. Instead, I smiled. And while they thought I was accepting this ridiculous situation, I sent a quick message to my dad:
“Dad, could you stop by? Derek’s out, and a neighbor said someone’s in the house. I’m a little scared.”
His response was instant. “Be there in 10.”
Perfect.
After dinner, I stood up. “I think I’ll take a quick shower before bed. You two get comfortable.”
Jessica’s eyes widened. “Oh, um, are you sure? I mean—”
“It’s fine,” I said with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Make yourselves at home.”
Derek grinned nervously. “Thanks, babe. You’re the best.”
“Yeah,” I murmured. “The best.”
Ten minutes later, as I stepped out of the shower, I heard my father’s voice—calm, but filled with steel.
“Derek. Mind telling me what the hell is going on here?”
I peeked out of the bathroom just in time to see my dad standing in the bedroom doorway. Former Navy officer. Built like a tank. Arms crossed, eyes locked onto Derek like a predator eyeing its prey.
Jessica sat on the bed, looking confused and nervous. “Who are you?” she stammered.
Derek, on the other hand, looked like he had just seen a ghost. He raised his hands slightly, his face pale. “Mr. Grant, I—I can explain!”
“Explain?” my dad said coldly. “Explain why you’re in my daughter’s house with another woman?” He gestured at Jessica, who flinched.
“Please, it’s not what it looks like—” Derek started.
“Oh, it’s exactly what it looks like,” my dad growled, stepping closer.
Derek panicked. His eyes darted to the window. “I—I should go!”
“Not so fast,” my dad barked. “You don’t walk out of here after this. You crawl.”
That was enough. Derek scrambled onto the windowsill and jumped, landing awkwardly on the lawn in nothing but his boxers. He stumbled to his feet and bolted down the street.
Jessica sat frozen. “Anna, I didn’t mean for this to happen—”
I held up a hand. “Save it. You made your choice. Now, get out of my house.”
“But—”
“Out. Now.”
Jessica hesitated, but under my father’s glare, she grabbed her purse and left.
The next morning, I filed for divorce. As I signed the papers, I felt lighter than I had in years. I had been betrayed, but I refused to be broken. I deserved better. And I would never settle for less again.
