Who would’ve known that something small discovered in my house would lead me down a dark rabbit hole? Lies and secrets came to light as I unraveled the truth about a marriage I once thought was solid. It all ended with me getting revenge and peace.
Headphones on a pink and blue background | Source: Freepik
My husband, John, and I, Linda, have been happily married for five years. But sometimes the smallest things can shake the strongest foundations. That’s what happened the week I returned from a work trip.
I found something unsettling in my home—earphones, but not any earphones.
This mysterious third set was tucked under our floor-bed, a place I had just rearranged before leaving town. My husband, always a creature of habit, has a particular taste in tech. His earphones are always black and practical, matching everything else on his desk.
A couple reading books and talking | Source: Pexels
Mine? I keep them with me, standard white, nothing fancy. So, when I discovered a third set under our bed, beige with gold accents, my curiosity piqued. Naturally, I confronted him. His response, which included brushing off my confusion with a shrug, was:
“Oh, those old things, they’re mine. I wondered what happened to them.”
A man reading a book and writing notes while looking at someone | Source: Pexels
Something didn’t sit right with me about his response, and I found this whole thing odd. The color was off; his nonchalance was too forced. I chose to say nothing more at the moment, replying, “Oh okay…,” though my mind raced with questions.
Instead, I snapped a photo and, although it was a long shot, I turned to social media for help. I posted it on my Facebook page with a message:
“Found these in my living room after my son’s birthday party. If you recognize these earphones, please message me directly.”
A woman’s hands texting something on a laptop | Source: Pexels
It wasn’t long before I received a message that turned my world upside down. The message that popped up on my screen made my heart skip a beat! I gasped and screamed in shock when I realized who the earphones belonged to. My sister-in-law (SIL), Rachel claimed them.
A chill went down my spine as I tried to understand how they had ended up under our bed.
She had been at our house for my son’s birthday party, a week before my trip.
A shocked woman looking at her phone with a laptop on a desk | Source: Pexels
In a quick response, she responded to my post, saying, “So sorry, Linds. I think I must have dropped and forgotten about them during the party.” Her casual explanation did very little to ease my growing suspicion.
I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling of doubt.
Rachel and my husband had always been close—too close. My gut now told me as I wondered if there was more to their relationship. I decided to keep a closer eye on them and their interactions. Feigning ignorance while I sought the truth.
A worried woman contemplating something | Source: Shutterstock
A few days passed, and my suspicion only deepened when I noticed they were together more often than usual. I’d catch them whispering and laughing. “You’re so funny, Jonny!” Rachel would say to my husband while sitting too close to him.
Their ease around each other now seemed less innocent. I needed more than suspicions; I needed proof.
So, instead of confronting them immediately, I decided to investigate without arousing any suspicion.
A man and woman talking and laughing | Source: Pexels
Under the guise of another work trip, I told my husband I’d be out of town for a few days. Instead, I stayed at a local establishment, using this time to watch our home discreetly.
I rented a car, an unrecognized one, and stationed myself near our home.
That first night of my “trip,” I watched as Rachel arrived at my house shortly after John got home from work. Her casual demeanor as she walked in, as if it were her own home, was all I needed to see. It confirmed that she’d done this before.
A woman sitting in a car holding a phone, wearing earphones, with a laptop on her lap | Source: Pexels
I had prepared for this to get tangible evidence. Earlier, I had installed discreet motion-activated cameras in our living room and near the entrance. Safely hidden away in my car later that evening, I watched the live feed on my laptop.
The images that unfolded were a painful confirmation of my worst fears! Their behavior went from innocent chats to close, intimate, and unmistakable. It was unlike what you’d expect from a brother-in-law and SIL and tore through my heart like a knife.
My worst fears were confirmed.
An unhappy-looking woman looking at something while in a car | Source: Pexels
I gathered evidence over the next few days, documenting the affair meticulously through the cameras and other means. Heartbroken yet resolute, I devised a plan for a dramatic revelation. This time I was armed with undeniable proof.
The annual family reunion was approaching. I knew it would be the perfect moment when our close and extended family members would be present. I “returned” home after my “trip” and pretended nothing was wrong.
A woman removing bags from a car | Source: Getty Images
As our family gathered for the reunion, I continued pretending everything was normal. The room filled with relatives, buzzing with laughter and conversation. They enjoyed the festivities while catching up.
Under the pretext of showing a family photo slideshow, I quietly set up a projector. Then, the lights dimmed and everyone settled down to watch as I began the slideshow. Instead of fond family memories, the first images to flash across the screen were freeze frames of my husband and Rachel.
It showed them in compromising positions from the footage in the house.
A woman sitting with a screen and people in the background | Source: Freepik
“I gathered you all here under happier pretenses, but we need to address the painful truth,” I announced. My voice was steady, masking the chaos inside. The shock was palpable; the room fell silent except for the murmurs of disbelief as I said:
“What you are seeing is the reality of an ongoing betrayal in our family, one that affects us all.”
People reacted with gasps, murmurs, and disbelief as the evidence of John’s infidelity played. I wanted everyone to see and understand the depth of deceit from my husband and Rachel.
A group of people reacting in shock to something | Source: Getty Images
The cheating pair caught off guard, could only sit frozen. They listened and watched from their different seats. As the evidence played out before everyone, there was no room for denial. They had no chance for them to twist the narrative.
The facade they’d held all along finally fell away as family members looked at them with judgment and disgust. It was a moment of bittersweet vindication. My marital trust shattered, but it marked the beginning of my journey toward healing and closure.
The truth was out, and now, it was time to rebuild, on my own terms.
A happy woman playing with her son | Source: Pexels
Linda’s story isn’t the only one where the wife discovers something that leads them to realize their husband is cheating. Tom’s wife, in a similar tale, found out the truth about her husband’s infidelity through social media too!
I Accidentally Discovered My Husband’s Cheating through an IG Post — My Public Revenge Shook His World
As dawn broke, I held my six-week-old daughter, Lily, feeling the weight of the morning’s change. Tom, my husband, was packing for a business trip, his first since Lily’s birth. Previously, his trips were routine, but now, they brought a heaviness I couldn’t shake.
Someone’s packed luggage, ready for a trip | Source: Getty Images
Despite Tom’s reassurances, my anxiety was confirmed when I stumbled upon an Instagram photo showing him at a restaurant, not alone, but with Eliza. The woman was his university friend who disliked me. Shocked and betrayed, I resolved to uncover the truth.
A woman holding a baby while looking at her phone | Source: Getty Images
I orchestrated a baby shower that turned into an expose. Amidst a slideshow of Lily’s photos, I included the incriminating image from Instagram. The room’s warmth turned to whispers of disbelief as Tom’s facade crumbled.
People reacting in shock and surprise about something | Source: Getty Images
My husband’s pleas fell on deaf ears as I stood firm, ending the event and our marriage with calm resolve. As I initiated the divorce, I knew Lily and I were ready to move forward, stronger and together.
A happy woman watching a baby sleep | Source: Getty Images
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Son Talks to Mom Only on Video Call for 7 Years, Sees Deserted House When He Finally Visits – Story of the Day
A woman finally got a good job when her son left for college and paid for everything he needed since then. Seven years passed, and they only talked through a screen, but one day, he returned and couldn’t believe what had happened.
“Chris, don’t worry about anything. I’m paying for as much as I can. Whatever you need, call me,” Olive told her son at the train station. He was on his way to New York for college, and she had finally landed a well-paying job.
However, for most of his life until then, she couldn’t afford much. His presents were always second-hand, as she raised him alone and studied at night. He never lacked food or shelter, but Olive always felt guilty for not being able to give him the things his friends had.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
She finally got a decent salary and was ready to give him anything he wanted.
“Thank you, Mom,” Chris said, hugged her, and got on the train.
He knocked on the door. No response. He looked through the window and couldn’t believe it. There was nothing inside.
***
“Mrs. Franklin, you should come to visit! I’m so huge now!” Chris’ fiancée, Rosalie, told her through the computer screen.
Chris had met her during his junior year, and they were both about to graduate. However, Rosalie found out she was pregnant, and they got engaged. Sadly, Olive had yet to meet her in person because they were both studying so hard, and Rosalie couldn’t travel much in her condition.
Meanwhile, Olive couldn’t visit either because she was working extra hard. Over the years, she took on more and more hours at work despite her excellent salary because she was paying for Chris’ college, his housing, his expenses, and her own. However, she lived as frugally as possible.
“Soon, Rosalie! I hope to meet you soon. When I get a free moment,” Olive nodded, and finally, Chris appeared on the screen. He told Rosalie he needed to talk to his mother, and she left the room.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Mom, I wanted to ask you something,” Chris started, scratching the back of his head. “Since Rosalie and I are going to graduate soon and have a baby, I was wondering if you could help me with a house. We looked at one already. It’s in New Jersey because there’s no way we could live in the city, but it’s beautiful. It reminds me of home.”
Olive stared at her son for a while and thought hard. “Well, I… don’t know,” she muttered, thinking about her savings and hard work. She was finally planning for retirement.
“Please,” Chris begged and talked about the house cost and how much they would need for a down payment. He also said that Rosalie didn’t have anything because she had no family to help out.
“Ok, Chris, ok. I think we can work something out,” Olive finally said. She would have to deplete her entire savings and, maybe, live even more frugally. But it was possible.
“Thank you! Thank you, Mom! I don’t know what I would do without you!” Chris said, almost crying on the video call, and Olive smiled, knowing it was all worth it.
***
“I wish you guys could come this Christmas,” Olive commented in front of her computer, as she did many times over the years. Her son had left her house seven years ago and had not returned to his Maryland hometown. All they did was video chat. She was missing her granddaughter’s life and hated it. But everyone was busy.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Olive worked now more than ever because she still helped her son often and had depleted her savings a second time when he wanted to start a business. She never asked him for anything in return but wished they would at least visit, as she couldn’t.
“We can’t, Mom. Not this year,” Chris said, shaking his head. “But thank you for the gifts you already sent Mallory. She loves them. You’re an amazing grandma.”
“Put her on the screen,” Olive requested gently and watched her granddaughter longing to hold her in her arms.
***
Olive didn’t know that Chris was finally planning to visit her. He couldn’t buy plane tickets for Rosalie and Mallory to come with him, but he was finally happy to see his mother.
However, his taxi stopped in front of his house, and Chris frowned. It was 9 p.m., and the lights were completely out. Chris told his cad driver to wait for a second and got out. The porch furniture was gone. The plants her mother loved were also missing. The garden was overgrown, and even the welcome mat was absent.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
He knocked on the door. No response. He looked through the window and couldn’t believe it. There was nothing inside. Did Mom move? Why didn’t she tell me? he wondered, concerned.
“Chris? Is that you?” a female voice asked.
He turned around and saw Mrs. Torres, an old woman who had lived next door to them all his life. “Mrs. Torres. Hi, there!”
“What are you doing here, kid?” she asked.
“I’m here to see Mom. Do you know where she is?” he asked, frowning.
“Oh, dear. Your mother moved away about two years ago. She sold that house, but the new owners moved just a few weeks ago. I don’t know who’ll be moving in now,” Mrs. Torres said, her forehead wrinkling as she rambled on.
“She never told me,” Chris muttered. “Do you know where she is?”
“Sure, I have her address written. Come with me,” Mrs. Torres went to her house and gave him a piece of paper.
Chris read the address and frowned. The address pointed to a side of town that wasn’t too nice. “Do you know why she moved there?” he asked the older woman.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“No, honey. But I know she has a roommate now,” Mrs. Torres shrugged, and Chris was even more baffled.
He finally got back in his taxi and gave him the new address. He reached an apartment complex with run-down paintwork on a poorly lit street. It was terrible. Also, he quickly entered the building and went up easily because there was no security.
“Chris? What are you doing here?” Olive asked, shocked when she answered the door.
“Mom! What is going on? Why did you sell the house?” Chris questioned, dismayed and bewildered.
“Oh, Chris. Come in,” she sighed and ushered her son into her tiny living room.
Olive explained that the first time he asked her for money for the house, she had some savings and depleted him to buy them the house. However, when Chris asked her for money for his business, she had not saved anything and decided to sell her house and give him almost all the profit.
Chris was shocked by this news and the fact that he had been so oblivious. So careless. Such a lousy son. “Why didn’t you say anything? Mom! I wouldn’t have taken that money if I’d known,” he muttered, breathless.
“But I wanted you to succeed, sweetie. I failed to give you so much when you were younger, I just didn’t…” she tried to explain, but Chris cut her off.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Mom, you gave me everything I ever needed. I only asked because I thought you had it. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry for not asking about you. I’m sorry for not visiting. I’m so sorry you have to live in this part of town and with a roommate at your age, for God’s sake!” Chris apologized, frustrated tears coming out of his eyes.
Olive teared up as well and hugged her son dearly while Chris made her so many promises. He called Rosalie that night, explained everything, and they both agreed that it was time to move Olive closer to them. Luckily, she got a new job in New Jersey quickly.
Eventually, they built an in-law suite for her so that Olive wouldn’t miss another second of her granddaughter’s life. And slowly but surely, Chris repaid his mother for every penny she had given him for the house and business – which took off exponentially and allowed them to live comfortably. But most of all, Chris never allowed Olive to sacrifice anything else again.
What can we learn from this story?
- Visit and talk to your parents as much as possible, especially those who give you everything unconditionally. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a mother like Olive, and Chris should’ve checked on her more often.
- Don’t feel guilty if you can’t buy your kids the same as other parents. All they need is your love. Children don’t need fancy new sneakers or the latest games. All they need is your support and love.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who quit his job to take his mom from a nursing home and doesn’t find her there.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
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