My world fell apart when I discovered my husband’s texts to his mistress. Instead of confronting him, I outwitted him with an unexpected ally.
Late, the home was quiet but for the refrigerator’s faint hum. I browsed Rick’s phone at the kitchen table.
I couldn’t stop despite my heart’s warning. Something felt odd for months. I worried about late nights at work, quiet phone calls, and his back-to-me messaging.
There it was.
“My wife and kids will look after Mom. Nurse play is her passion. Meanwhile, spa time. I booked us at The Ivy—you’ll adore it.”
I cried as the words blurred on the screen. I tightened my grasp on the phone and reread the text to confirm I wasn’t dreaming. Not only did my 12-year-old hubby cheat. He planned to send me to care for his mother while he drank champagne with another woman.
I kept scrolling, panting. She and they were photographed. Inside jokes, pet names, and plans were sent. I wanted to chuck the phone across the room. I wanted to yell at him in the morning.
But I didn’t.
Instead, I laid the phone on the table and gazed, heaving. It wouldn’t help to confront him now. It wouldn’t fix the betrayal or shame. A plan was needed.
Rick smiled into the kitchen the next morning. Kissed my cheek. “Good morning, babe. Coffee smells great.”
I smiled despite stiffening. “Morning.”
He sat at the table scrolling through his phone, unaware that I had read every dirty word he had typed the night before.
“So,” he remarked nonchalantly, “I was thinking you could take the kids to Mom’s for a few days. Please assist her. Her health is poor, and she misses seeing the kids.
A lump rose in my throat, but I swallowed. “Sure,” I answered evenly. It sounds wonderful. I’ll pack today.”
Rick stood up and kissed my forehead. “You amaze me. FYI, I’ll work late tonight. Big meeting.”
“Of course,” I said.
I put the kids into the car by afternoon. Mother-in-law Helen wasn’t happy to see me when we got at her place.
“What’s all this?” she questioned, watching me carry the suitcases through the door.
“Rick thought it would be nice if the kids and I spent a few days with you,” I added, placing the luggage in the living room.
She crossed arms. “Did he now?”
The kids rushed off to play as I awkwardly stood in the kitchen. Helen lacked warmth. Our connection was always tight. This wouldn’t work without her.
“Helen,” I shakily said. “We must talk.”
Her piercing eyes softened. What’s it?
I read Rick’s texts on my phone. I handed it to her silently.
“What am I looking at?” she questioned, peering at the screen.
“Rick’s texts,” I whispered. To his GF.”
She grew stern while reading. “That little… How dare he? Her eyes burned at me. “What’s this about sending you here so he can steal her?”
I responded, “Exactly,” my voice breaking. He’s using Helen and us.”
Slamming the phone on the table. “That boy is insane.”
I wasn’t expecting her to support me so immediately, but her fury was clear. “I don’t know what to do,” I said.
Helen snorted. “I do. You stay here, and we’ll teach that moron a lifelong lesson.”
I blinked. Want to help me?
Raising an eyebrow. Yes, I do. Despite being my son, he cannot treat us this way. His own medicine will be administered.”
I was stunned. I finally felt like Helen and I were on the same team after years.
“Thank you,” I muttered.
“Don’t thank me yet,” she added, smirking. “Wait until you see my plan.”
Her words made me shiver. I knew Rick wouldn’t know what hit him, whatever Helen planned.
When Helen took up her phone, her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Now, let’s see how good an actor I am,” she grinned at me.
The nerves in my gut twisted as I nodded. “He’ll agree. Always falls for a crisis.”
She called Rick with the weakest voice I’d ever heard. She said, “Rick…it’s Mom,” with a faltering tone.
I heard his worried voice over the phone. “Mom? What’s wrong?
Though hidden, Helen grabbed her chest violently. I dunno, Rick. My arm is numb and my chest is constricted. Something’s wrong.”
“What?!” Rick’s voice broke. Are you serious? Did you dial 911?
“No,” she muttered. I didn’t want to cause anyone concern… She looked at me. “She did something to me…”
Hang up and call an ambulance, mom! A barking Rick. “On my way. No telling—” His voice mumbled. “Don’t tell her.”
I battled to hold back laughter.
Helen croaked, “Hurry, Rick,” rolling her eyes. Please.” After hanging up, she laughed triumphantly.
He’s coming, she murmured, shaking her head. “Can you believe he still thinks he’s smartest in the family?”
Tire squealing soon filled the tranquil neighborhood. Helen was reclining dramatically on the couch, blanket pulled up to her chin. I sat in the armchair with a tea mug, attempting to relax.
Smashing, the front door opened.
“Mom!” Rick came into the room, his face blanched with dread, his speech hysterical. Are you okay, mom?
A frail hand waved at him as Helen groaned. “I believe… Im dying.”
Rick kneeled beside her and took her hand. “Don’t worry—I’m calling police. You did what to her? He turned to me, furious.
Pulling up, she glared at him. “She showed me…
Rick froze. “What…?”
Helen sat awake, eyes burning, throwing off the blanket. “Your wife showed me everything. The text. That affair. Your nasty lie included me, your mother. I’m dying. Of disappointment.”
Rick flushed. His lips opened and closed like a fish out of water as he glanced at me. Wait, this… not what it looks like!”
“Oh, it’s exactly what it looks like,” I responded quietly, sipping tea. I checked my phone for messages. “Explain these?” I gave him the phone.
Shaking hands, Rick scanned the screen. “This…it’s not what you think,” he stumbled. “I was just trying—”
“To what?” Helen interrupted, raising her voice. Humiliate your wife? Make this family embarrassed? Or were you too sluggish to find an explanation other than your mother’s health?
Rick seems to want to be swallowed by the floor. I’m sorry, mom. I didn’t mean—”
Never apologize to me! Helen snapped. Please apologize to your wife. If you can give her any respect.”
He looked at me, crying. I was dumb. My error. I’ll finish. Any request, I’ll do. Do not leave me. Consider the kids.”
Arms folded. My thoughts are with the kids. Perhaps kids would be better off without a lying and cheating father.”
Rick fell silent, head bowed.
I sent Rick to sleep on Helen’s spare room pull-out couch that night. Helen and I drank tea in the kitchen.
“I don’t know what I would’ve done without you,” I whispered.
Helen raised her cup. “You’ll never have to. Got your back.”
I felt supported for the first time in years.
I dealt with the other woman the next day. I found her number by scrolling my phone. Rick stored it under a bogus name, but I figured it out soon.
“Hello?” she said, beaming.
“Hi,” I said. I’m Rick’s wife.”
The silence was long. “Oh,” she said finally. “I didn’t know he was married.”
“Really? Because he texted about me,” I replied coldly.
“I—” She paused. I’m sorry. I was unaware.”
I said, “Well, now you do,” and hung up.
While the kids and I went home, Rick stayed at Helen’s house for the week, ashamed to show his face. Despite my uncertainty about the future, I knew I was no longer the woman who cried in the kitchen that night.
I’d never let Rick or anybody else disrespect me like that again due to Helen.
