My husband and I vowed to be together till death, but I discovered a dreadful secret. Our daughter uncovered his double life, making me swear he would never hurt me again.
I married Theo for seven years. I was thirty-four, a home-based graphic artist, and thought our marriage was ideal until lately. On his promotion party night, everything went wrong.
Theo and I were “that” pair friends used to compare themselves to over lunch. People who seemed simple. He held my hand while I grabbed the sauce, like new lovers at the shop!
We laughed at the same jokes, finished each other’s thoughts, and never ran out of things to say! Even amid hard times, we found our groove again naturally!
Only during the first two years of trying for a child did our marriage feel unstable. Every failing test was a silent wave that diminished my delight. I wondered for months if I was preventing our family from developing.
We got subtle letdowns after months of doctor appointments. Watching our friends post baby ultrasound photographs while I gazed at empty test strips shattered my heart. When I got pregnant, it felt like a miracle because I assumed I would never give birth naturally.
When Mira arrived, everything clicked! She was the thread that interconnected everything! A perfect girl for a perfect life was finally mine. I had no idea what happened next.
Our four-year-old daughter was smart, interested, and honest! She preferred apple juice without chunks and regularly interrupted worship to pee!
Life felt good! Besides having a child and welcoming my delight, things were excellent financially! He was now a partner in his firm! After years of hard effort, the corporation held a beautiful party at a downtown event space to commemorate his huge achievement.
It was rustic with bare brick and string lights. Mira and I dressed for the event. I looked good in a blue dress and she in a fluffy pink dress with dragon clips.
I brought my well-behaved daughter to the event without hesitation. We saw how much the office loved Theo! Waiters carried wine glasses while the music band played softly.
Every third person praised my hubby! I couldn’t be happier! I held Mira’s hand near the treat table as her dad shook hands and enjoyed the attention!
Mira tugged on my sleeve and spoke the most strange words while we were discussing preschools with a senior coworker’s wife.
“Look, Mommy! The Lady with Worms!”
Some folks including the coworker’s wife glanced our way because of her loud voice. I promptly bowed to Mira. “Shh, baby, speak softly. What worms, honey?
The woman I was talking to smiled and excused herself, giving us room because I was with my daughter.
“In her house,” Mira nodded and said without hesitation. The red ones. They were on her bed.”
Freezing dryened my throat. “Whose house, honey?”
She gestured. I straightened as I followed her tiny arm and her finger across the room.
Leaning against the bar, a tight black-dressed woman laughed too freely. Red lipstick and lovely waves adorned her black hair. She seems to constantly know and want others to observe.
I’d seen her at my husband’s company gatherings once or twice. I suppose I saw her at a holiday party two years ago and last fall. Nora was an accountant.
Always overly close to my husband. Often too chummy, I remembered, my eyes narrowing.
“Daddy said she has worms,” Mira remarked. I saw them when we—
She paused. She appeared thoughtful with wrinkled brows and pursed lips.
I bent again. “When you what, Mira?”
She reddened and murmured, “I shouldn’t say. Dad told us not to talk about the worms. That Mommy would be mad.”
My stomach dropped.
“Upset?” So I asked before Theo stood alongside me, drink in hand, cheeks crimson from attention.
Sharply, I said, “Hey.” “May I speak to you?”
“Now?” He blinks. “I just—”
“Now, Theo.”
I noticed the woman I was talking to before Mira revealed the bombshell. As she arrived, I apologized and asked her to watch my daughter. I told Mira Daddy and I were going to talk quickly and left.
Near the coat closet, Theo followed me into a hallway. “What’s up?”
“She claims you took her to Nora’s.”
He blinks. A laugh followed. “Seriously? Not now, darling. Can we discuss this at home effectively?
I wanted to resolve things then, but it wasn’t the proper time. I nodded sternly, indicating the conversation continued. When we returned to the party, tensions were high.
Homeward travel was quiet. Mira dozed off in the backseat, ignorant of our storm. Theo operated the steering wheel with one hand. I glanced out the window, searching for answers.
After Mira went to bed, I sat him in the kitchen.
“Our daughter saw red worms on Nora’s bed?” The conversation continued as we left it.
These were curlers. Soft, you know? Mira saw them, was scared, and kept talking about it. I said they were worms, so she dropped it. It was nothing.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“A joke! The papers Nora forgot to send was needed. I picked it up with Mira, who came inside for two minutes. All done!”
In her bedroom? I persisted, doubting his words.
Too fast, he said “No!” Not like that. She showed me something on her laptop as Mira walked down the hallway. She must have seen them then.”
Why lie? Why tell her not to speak?
“I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea or misunderstand,” he said, adjusting his collar.
Already misunderstood a lot. There must be a good concept, right?
He froze. I needed no more proof.
“Tell me the truth,” I demanded.
“I did! You’re misrepresenting this!”
It’s already something. You took our daughter to another woman’s home. Instructed her to lie. Somehow she got near the bed!”
I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Why are you sweating?”
His response was blank. Just sighed and left.
I couldn’t sleep that night. I stared at the ceiling, hearing “Mommy would be upset” like a drum.
My decision was made by dawn.
I messaged Nora using my husband’s laptop’s “work contacts” list. I told her I was planning the company’s upcoming Christmas party and wanted to review the guest list over coffee. She replied cheerfully “Sure thing!” in just five minutes.
I met her in a little café three streets from her flat. Elegant hair, white blouse, and red nails made her look like a fashion model. Like a pro, she ordered a premium green tea latte.
I put my cup down and went to the point after light conversation. “My daughter says she visited you.”
Her expression was unchanged. I continued.
“She says my husband brought her. Red worms in your bed, she said. Guess these were soft curlers?
Nora purposefully stirred her cappuccino carefully.
“I was wondering when you’d catch on,” she added.
No flinching.
It would be quick, he said. She stated frankly that we might cease hiding after you departed.
You’re comfortable with being someone’s backup? After realizing the reality, I asked, crying.
She grinned. I’m fine with selection. Eventually.”
I stood, determined. He’s yours.”
I felt calmer than expected on the way home. No heartbreak. Not mad. Just finished.
Over the next few weeks, I completed my tasks. I think my body and mind recognized what was happening with Theo and just wanted confirmation. Like I thought our marriage was ideal to hide the truth in my heart.
Separation was filed privately. We hired a divorce lawyer. Gathered papers. Taking screenshots. Arranged custody. I made sure every move benefited Mira and me.
Not even Theo tried to fight it! He quickly moved in with Nora!
I hear things aren’t good. Mira, who now won’t see her dad without Nora, tells him about the new couple’s supper disputes. Rule, co-parenting, etc. complaints.
Theo, once affable, now mutters during drop-offs like a man tired of his new existence!
As for me?
I’m ok. After months of sobbing about my failing marriage and feeling inadequate, I sleep through the night. Grief, they said. I returned to drawing, joined a local gym class, and painted Mira’s bedroom with glow-in-the-dark stars.
Sometimes, when my daughter talks about the past, her voice cuts through the noise.
She said, “Mommy,” curled up with her beloved stuffed bear next to me one night. “Why is Daddy not living with us?”
I regarded her. Trusting large brown eyes.
Because he lied about worms.
She nodded seriously, as if she understood. “Lying is bad.”
“Yes,” I answered. “It is.”
She held me tightly. “Thank goodness no worms.”
A laugh. Me too, baby. Me too.”
