When Julianne answers her husband’s phone, an angry voice discloses a shocking secret: he’s been cheating. She must move quickly to defend herself and her children from her husband’s deception.
That morning, I would have said I was happy. Perhaps not convincingly, but I would have said it. It was before the call.
My days were split between wife, mother, and school volunteer. Raymond, my breadwinner, a mid-level manager, arrived home late too often due to job stress.
Ethan, my eight-year-old son, was my rock and kept me going while Raymond’s gaze gnawed at me.
I had no time to linger. I was adept at keeping up with life.
Ray ran away and grabbed his briefcase as I kissed him goodbye after seeing Ethan on the bus to school.
“I must rush. “Today will be crazy, and Mr. Richards must be waiting for me,” he murmured as he ran out the door.
He put his phone on the kitchen table without my knowledge. I responded immediately when it rang a few minutes after he departed, believing it was mine.
“Raymond,” a lady yelled. You were warned! If you don’t get rid of her, I’ll announce my pregnancy with your kid.”
Throat closed. I recognized that voice… My sister Vera!
Ray, I’m done waiting. Your final warning. Tell her today or else!”
The connection went dead before I could yell or demand answers.
I stood there motionless, my knuckles white from holding the phone hard. My peace was often interrupted by Vera. She traveled life with beauty, recklessness, and magnetism, causing havoc and charm.
Now she was pregnant with my husband’s child. How long had they been cheating on me?
I felt distant, like my body was on autopilot. The password I’d seen Raymond write a thousand times burned in my head as I unlocked his phone with my thumb.
I browsed messages with trembling fingers. Dozens of documents contained information I was not authorized to discover.
Vera said, “When will you tell her?” Ray, I can’t keep going. She knows nothing.
Raymond said slowly: I need more time. Want to do it correctly. It would wreck everything if she found out.
As I assembled it, bile surged in my throat. Their strategy was cold and planned.
They left their spouses so no one would know they had an affair. Vera was ready to leave Jack, and Raymond was considering how to dump me discreetly and neatly without hurting his money.
His message said she won’t get a dime. I guarantee it.
Knees collapsed, and I fell on the kitchen floor.
My phone fell on the tiles, but I didn’t care. I sat shaking, treachery crushing me.
My mind repeated Vera’s voice over Raymond’s polished falsehoods. I was betrayed by my two closest friends while I laid the table for family dinners and kissed Raymond goodbye.
Betrayal filled me with a burning, unyielding pain that blurred my eyes.
I covered my face with my fists to shut it out. It was now ingrained in me. My spouse and sister planned my demise.
For the first time, I felt completely detached. But I wouldn’t let them ruin my life. Neither would I let Ethan suffer for their selfishness.
Anger helped me focus as I grabbed my keys and proceeded to Vera’s husband’s office.
Jack was able to organize chaos. He was rational, precise, and in no way impetuous like Vera. Jack could assist me.
The workplace was silent. I marched passed Jack’s secretary’s unoccupied desk, my sneakers squeaking on the gleaming floorboards.
My pulse raced as I knocked harder than planned on his door.
“Come in,” Jack said through the door, his deep, quiet voice.
When I entered, he looked up from his desk, confused.
“Julianne?” His keen, gray eyes showed anxiety as he stood. What’s wrong? Did anything happen?
I avoided small talk. I crossed the room and placed Raymond’s phone on his desk with trembling hands.
Jack, I have vital news. It concerns Vera and… Voice catching, I faltered. “See it for yourself.”
He motioned me to sit, but I stood. He kept staring at me as he browsed through the texts on the phone. His face reddened with each stroke. His jaw tensed and he gripped the phone tightly.
“Goddammit, Vera,” he whispered, losing his composure.
He put the phone down too hard and squeezed his nasal bridge, breathing gently. Rather than burst, he took a notepad from his desk and opened it. His moves were meticulous.
“We need a plan,” he added, speaking sternly.
His calmness stunned me, and I blinked. “You’re not surprised? Hurt?”
“No, I’m furious,” he looked at me.
A deadly edge lurked in his calm words. “Vera’s always mercurial, but this time she’s gone too far.”
He set his jaw as he tapped the paper with his pen. Filing for divorce. Let me help you accomplish the same. With this evidence, they’re toast.”
I settled into the chair opposite from him, calmer than before.
I whispered, “Jack,” softly. “Thank you.”
As he wrote notes, his lips formed a thin line. No thanks yet. This will be nasty. They gave us no option. We must act quickly, even if I have to pull strings. We will proceed in this manner.
Jack kept taking notes while planning. I became more determined as I absorbed it. I was impressed by how swiftly he computed each step, but more relieved.
I fought with others. Jack and I would make Vera and Raymond pay for their betrayal and not leave us to fend for ourselves.
Raymond and I had supper with Vera and Jack that night. I sent Vera the invite when I got home. I contacted Ray’s office to tell him he left his phone home.
He said, “Oh my God,” sounding panicked. “Just… Turn it off and put it in my bedside drawer, please.
“Sure, honey,” I said. By the way, Jack and Vera are coming to supper tonight. Could you buy wine on the way home?
Next, I had Ethan stay with a friend. By dinnertime, Jack’s plan was complete.
I placed a huge glass of wine in front of Vera.
“No wine for me, Jules.” She looked at Raymond intently. “I’ve been down lately.”
“I guess that makes sense,” I said. “The first trimester is hard, and pregnant women shouldn’t drink, right?
Raymond tightened his palm on the table when Vera’s fork hit her plate.
“Oh, don’t act surprised,” I said. “I know about the affair, the baby, and your little plans to leave me with nothing.”
After waiting for his signal, Jack grabbed two files and stood up.
He continued, “These are your divorce papers,” putting one packet in front of Vera and the other in front of Ray. And they are yours.”
Raymond looked at me, scared. “Please, Julianne…”
“No talking!” Angered, I snapped. “You destroyed everything for what? Her?”
Raymond stared at me after looking at Vera, who was weeping. He remained silent. Dejected, he gazed at the table.
Jack and I collaborated in the weeks that followed. He persevered in court to get a deal that protected Ethan and me.
Raymond lost his wealth, reputation, and every shred of dignity. Jack demanded full custody of his children, leaving Vera scrambling.
The scandal engulfed our tiny community. Raymond and Vera were followed inside the grocery shop by whispering since everyone knew what transpired.
As I watched Ethan play in the yard one evening, I felt strangely calm. My life wasn’t as I thought. Messy, difficult, and unpleasant. I could change it since it was mine.