When Tammy gets a panicked phone call from her 13-year-old daughter, Piper, she does what any mother would do. She rushes home to make sure that everyone is okay, especially because Piper said that there was a woman with her husband, Paul, and they were locked in the master bedroom. But when Tammy gets home, she sees that not everything is what it seemed.
I was barely paying attention to the droning voice on the other end of the conference call when my phone vibrated violently on the table. It was Piper, my daughter. Heart skipping a beat, I excused myself from the call and answered quickly.
A woman holding a phone | Source: Unsplash
“Mommy, please come home, there’s a woman screaming!” Piper’s voice trembled with fear.
Panic surged through me.
“Honey, where’s Dad? Wasn’t he supposed to pick you up from school today?”
A shocked woman | Source: Unsplash
My daughter hesitated, sighing deeply before she continued.
“Dad is here! He’s in your room! He and the woman are in your room,” she replied, a note of confusion in her voice.
Piper was 13; she was still innocent to the world and everything that came with it.
Teenage girl on the phone | Source: Pexels
But hearing her, my heart started racing.
“Baby, stay where you are. I’m coming right now.”
I quickly returned to my conference call, saying that I had a family emergency to get to. I pulled my keys off the Lego hook Piper had made me, and left the office immediately.
Car keys hanging on a hook | Source: Unsplash
Thoughts of betrayal sliced through me as I sped home.
But it made no sense, Paul was the most considerate person I had ever met. And he was the complete opposite of me. Paul was warm and loving, whereas I could be cold and straightforward.
A smiling man sitting outside | Source: Unsplash
He was into alternative medicine and healing and knew everything he could about crystals and the like. He healed through his hands. There was no way that he would willingly hurt me like this.
But then again, my daughter was in the house. And Piper wouldn’t lie about this.
Assorted crystals | Source: Pexels
Is he really cheating on me? I thought as I gripped the steering wheel. With our daughter right in the house?
It would be unforgivable. It would be the end. I would leave Paul and never go back.
As I sat at a red light, I thought about what Piper was thinking. Surely, hearing a random woman scream was enough to shake her to her core.
Twenty frantic minutes later, I pulled into the driveway, nearly colliding with the mailbox in my haste. Now that I was here, my panic had intensified deeper.
A red traffic light | Source: Unsplash
I thought about looking for Piper first, but I didn’t want to alert Paul and his guest to my presence. I wanted to catch him in the act.
I took my phone out of my handbag and was ready to confront the worst. I had my camera recording. I heard sounds coming from my bedroom, followed by a woman’s loud whimper.
A woman holding a phone | Source: Unsplash
Pushing open the door, the scene before me halted me in my tracks.
Paul, my husband, was massaging a woman in our room.
But it wasn’t what it seemed; that was clear. My husband’s hands were professional and focused.
An opened bedroom door | Source: Unsplash
My husband worked as a masseur and reiki master, and while he had his own rooms, sometimes clients would come home for their appointments.
But this was the first time that he had set up his table in our bedroom. Then it dawned on me; we were renovating Paul’s office outside the house.
A person giving a massage | Source: Unsplash
Of course, he had no other place to work from home. He had all these ideas about turning our garden cottage into an entire Zen space for himself.
But our contractors were working at their own pace, and the project was taking a lot longer than it should have.
At the sound of my gasp, they both turned and jerked in surprise.
A home renovation | Source: Unsplash
“I’m so, so sorry,” I stuttered, the blood draining from my face as I realized the gravity of my misunderstanding.
Turning off the camera, I felt a rush of embarrassment.
I went to Piper’s room and found her sitting under the covers with a book.
An embarrassed woman blocking her face | Source: Unsplash
“Come on, sweetheart,” I said. “Let’s go make some cookies.”
I needed to do something with my hands. I felt an impossible sense of guilt. I should have known that Paul would never cheat on me; he just wasn’t that type of man. If he was feeling unfulfilled in any way, then he would have told me straight out, rather than betray me.
Mom talking to daughter | Source: Pexels
But it was more than that; Paul was an incredible father, and he always ensured that Piper was taken care of first. It was one of the reasons that he was renovating the space outside, so that he could always be around for her.
The thought of Paul doing anything unsavory in front of our child was unheard of, and yet I still believed it.
A father and daughter duo | Source: Unsplash
But as I went about taking all the cookie ingredients out, I realized that I was justified in my feelings.
I reacted as any mother would. I reacted to the panic of my daughter, however misunderstood it now was.
I knew what I needed to do. I needed to explain it all to Piper; she needed to know that there was nothing wrong with Paul’s actions.
“Honey, do you know what Dad does for work?” I asked, trying to smooth over the confusion in her mind.
Baking ingredients | Source: Unsplash
“Yes, he massages people, right?” she said, picking her way through the chocolate chips.
“So, the woman upstairs, she’s one of Dad’s clients,” I continued gently.
“Okay,” she said quietly.
I measured the flour as Piper helped herself to a glass of milk.
A container of chocolate chips | Source: Unsplash
“But then, why was she screaming?” my daughter asked. “Was Dad hurting her? Isn’t a massage supposed to feel good? I know how you feel when Dad massages your feet.”
I stood beside her and gently bumped my hip to hers.
A person getting a foot massage | Source: Pexels
“Well, some massages are a bit more intense, honey. You can ask Dad when he’s done, and he can explain it to you. You know, once, Dad did an anticellulite massage for me; I screamed the entire time because it was so painful, but it helped me! If the woman was screaming, it wasn’t meant to hurt her beyond helping her heal.”
Piper looked at me for a moment and then nodded.
A person getting a massage | Source: Pexels
“Dad wasn’t doing anything wrong,” I said as I put the first batch of cookies into the oven.
“Why did Dad do it here?” she asked, her mind still racing.
“You can ask Dad, but maybe she just needed to see him today. And he wasn’t at his rooms, remember? He needed to pick you up from school.”
School parking lot | Source: Unsplash
Piper looked down at the counter and added chocolate chips to her milk. Not that they would do anything to the flavor.
Finally, she seemed satisfied with all my answers.
I washed the dishes while the cookies baked. Piper told me all about her day at school and how much she loved her new art class.
A person using paint | Source: Unsplash
“We can do whatever we want, Mom!” she said. “Like, today, we were told to paint something with the color blue. That was the theme, and we could do whatever we wanted within those lines.”
As the oven bell went off, I took the cookies out and left them for Piper.
Woman taking out cookies | Source: Pexels
I went back upstairs, ready to apologize to my husband and the woman once again. As I entered my bedroom, Paul was wrapping up and folding the towels. The client, now dressed, offered an awkward apology before leaving, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Once we were alone, I approached Paul, who was blowing off the candles with more force than necessary.
Lit candles | Source: Unsplash
“Paul, I’m so sorry,” I began. “I thought the worst. I feared the worst. I fed off Piper’s energy because she didn’t know what was happening, so I was terrified at the panic in her voice.”
My husband stopped and looked at me, his expression softening.
“I saw the look on your face, Tammy,” he said. “I should have realized how this looked and warned you. I should have explained it to Piper, too. Cheryl is very loud when it comes to these things.”
Couple talking | Source: Pexels
“You need to talk to Piper,” I said. “I think she understands, but at the same time, it would make more sense coming from you. She’ll feel comforted.”
My husband enveloped me into a bear hug.
We held each other, the earlier adrenaline giving way to a shaky relief.
“Let’s just make sure we talk more, okay? I never want to feel that way again,” I murmured into his chest.
As we disconnected from the embrace, I felt the tension dissipate. We had stumbled, yes, but we had also found our way back to trust.
A couple embracing | Source: Pexels
We went downstairs, and Paul took out a tub of vanilla ice cream to make ice cream sandwiches.
Paul was going to talk to Piper, and I was going to shower to give them some space.
I knew that he would make her understand everything properly.
Ice cream sandwiches | Source: Unsplash
What would you have done?
Woman Hated Her Mother-in-Law Until One Day When Her Life Was Turned Upside Down — Story of the Day
Mary’s marriage to Ed came with a price: his mother Scarlett who never hid her disdain. From wedding-day insults to constant criticism, Scarlett seemed set on making Mary’s life difficult. Tensions grew with each visit… until something even more shocking unfolded.
Mary and her husband, Ed, drove in silence toward his mother Scarlett’s house. Though they hadn’t arrived yet, Mary was already looking forward to the ride back. Scarlett, after all, simply despised her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
At their wedding, Scarlett had even shown up wearing a veil; Mary had been grateful she hadn’t arrived in a full wedding dress. Scarlett was one of those mothers who couldn’t let go of her “little boy,” no matter how grown-up he was.
As they pulled into the driveway, Mary reluctantly stepped out, trailing behind Ed. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever latest insult Scarlett had in store.
Forcing a smile, she braced herself, hoping her expression would carry her through this visit. Scarlett opened the door with a wide grin and immediately wrapped her arms around Ed.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, my baby! You’re finally here! I’ve missed you more than you know!” she exclaimed, holding him close.
“Mom, it’s only been a week,” Ed replied, easing himself out of her hug.
Scarlett gave Ed a brief look before turning her gaze to Mary, her expression shifting. “Well, Mary, I see you’ve gained a few pounds,” she said with a smirk.
Mary let out a quiet sigh, resisting the urge to respond. She forced a tight smile instead. “Good to see you too, Scarlett.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Dinner felt endless as Scarlett launched into her usual list of complaints. “Mary doesn’t know how to cook. She doesn’t work somewhere respectable. She doesn’t even know how to dress herself properly,” Scarlett declared, taking quick glances at Ed for support.
Mary gripped her fork tightly, biting her tongue. She knew any response would just add fuel to Scarlett’s fire. But then Scarlett said something that made Mary’s patience snap—words sharper than anything before.
Scarlett looked across the table, her eyes fixed on Mary. “Well,” she said slowly, “I think it’s high time you gave me a grandchild. Or maybe,” she added with a smirk, “Mary has… some issues?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mary’s heart sank. They had been trying for a baby for six months with no success, and Scarlett’s words stung like salt in a wound. “How dare you!” Mary burst out. “Stop meddling in our lives! Maybe it’s your son who has the problem!”
Scarlett leaned back, eyes narrowing. “That’s absurd! My son is perfectly healthy, thank you very much. But you, Mary… who knows what you were up to before meeting Eddie?”
Mary’s face flushed with anger. “You’re a damn witch!” she shouted, her voice trembling. She turned to Ed, who hadn’t said a word. “Are you just going to sit there and let her say this?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Scarlett shot her son a pointed look. “Yes, Eddie, tell your crazy wife to show some respect,” she said, her tone mocking.
Ed shrugged, still scrolling through his phone. “Work it out yourselves.”
Scarlett leaned toward Mary, her voice low. “My neighbor mentioned herbal teas. She swears they help people like you.”
Mary opened her mouth to retort but felt a sudden wave of nausea. She clenched her stomach, forcing the words out. “Why don’t you… drink your own tea?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Unable to hold it back, Mary bolted to the bathroom. When she returned, still pale, she looked at Ed. “I want to go home.”
“Okay,” he said, barely glancing up.
Scarlett tilted her head, a fake look of concern crossing her face. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”
Mary’s eyes narrowed. “You probably poisoned me,” she muttered, too tired to argue further.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
On the way home, Mary’s mind raced. She had to know for sure. “Ed, can you stop at the pharmacy?” she asked quietly.
He sighed but pulled into the parking lot. She hurried inside, grabbed a pregnancy test, and paid quickly. Back at home, she went straight to the bathroom. She held her breath, waiting. Then, the results appeared—two lines. She gasped, feeling a rush of excitement and relief.
She rushed to show Ed, her face glowing. “Ed, we’re going to have a baby!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Ed glanced at the test, his expression unreadable. “Oh. That’s… good,” he mumbled, barely meeting her eyes.
Mary’s heart sank a little. She was overjoyed, but Ed’s reaction felt like a shadow over her happiness.
A few weeks had passed since Mary found out she was pregnant, and she was finally starting to adjust to the idea of becoming a mother. It was their first doctor’s appointment, and she was sitting on the bed, waiting for Ed to finish his shower so they could leave together.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She hoped he’d show some excitement, but he seemed distant lately, preoccupied and withdrawn
As she waited, Ed’s phone buzzed beside her, lighting up with a message. Usually, she respected his privacy. But the way he’d been acting made her hesitate.
Without fully realizing it, she reached for his phone. She tried to unlock it and was surprised to find a passcode. She couldn’t remember him ever using one before. On a whim, she tried his birth date. The screen unlocked immediately.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The message stared back at her: a picture of a half-dressed woman, smiling in a way that made her stomach twist. Below the picture, a message read, “Can’t wait to see you, baby.”
Her hands trembled as she scrolled through the conversation, each word feeling like a fresh betrayal. Ed had told this woman he was wealthy, a construction company owner—a far cry from his real job.
Heart pounding, she took screenshots, saving them on her phone as evidence of his lies and deceit.
When Ed came out of the bathroom, she was waiting, holding his phone. Her face was pale, her eyes filled with hurt and anger.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“What is this?!” she shouted, thrusting the phone toward him.
His expression turned hard, and he grabbed the phone from her hand. “None of your business,” he snapped.
Mary’s voice rose, filled with pain. “None of my business? You’re cheating on me! And I’m pregnant, Ed—your pregnant wife!”
His eyes narrowed. “Maybe you’re the one cheating on me,” he shot back, a sneer forming on his face. “How do I even know this baby’s mine?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mary felt her whole world spin. “Are you serious? We’ve been trying for six months. Now you’re saying this?” Her voice broke.
Ed crossed his arms. “Six months, no luck, and now all of a sudden it just happens? Convenient.”
“You’ve been seeing this woman for more than six months, Ed. I saw everything. You’ve lied to her, too! Told her you’re rich, that you own a company!” Mary’s voice trembled.
Ed shrugged, coldly unmoved. “Doesn’t matter. I’m filing for divorce. This marriage is over.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“You really think that woman will stick around when she learns the truth about you?” Mary shot back.
“Trust me, she won’t find out. And when this is over, I’ll take this house and everything else you have. Plus, my mom’s money.” He smirked.
Mary’s voice rose in protest. “This house was bought by my father!”
“Yeah? It’s in both our names,” Ed replied with a smug smile.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mary’s voice softened as she asked, “What about the baby?”
Ed just shrugged. “You can’t prove it’s mine until it’s born. By then, it’ll be too late.” And with that, he threw her out, leaving her in tears.
Desperate and hurt, Mary made a choice—to go to Scarlett and show her everything. Scarlett had to know the truth about her son.
She sat across from Scarlett, her heart pounding as she told her everything—Ed’s lies, his cheating, his threats to take the house. She held her breath, waiting for Scarlett to dismiss her. But to her surprise, she listened, her face growing pale.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Scarlett looked down, tears welling in her eyes. “He’s been taking money from me too,” she said softly. “Every penny his father left me, everything I’ve saved. He said he needed it for doctor visits because you couldn’t get pregnant.”
Mary shook her head, feeling both anger and sadness. “He never even went to a doctor. Every time I brought it up, he refused. I checked our account, Scarlett. He’s been taking out huge amounts.”
Scarlett clenched her fists. “I can’t believe my son would do this,” she said, her voice shaking. “He lied to both of us.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mary’s voice broke as she spoke. “I don’t know what to do. I’m pregnant, and he says he’ll take everything. He doesn’t even believe the baby is his.”
Scarlett’s eyes hardened. “I won’t let anyone hurt my future grandchild,” she said firmly. “We’ll make him pay. You have those messages saved, right?”
Mary nodded. “Yes, I took screenshots.”
Scarlett thought for a moment, then said, “I have one of his toothbrushes here. We can get a DNA test when the baby is born.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mary looked at Scarlett, surprised. “You’ve never been on my side before. What changed?”
Scarlett sighed. “I was a mother trying to protect her son. But now I see I need to protect others from him. His father was the same—a cheater. I endured it, hoping Ed would be better. But he isn’t. And I don’t want anyone else to suffer like I did.”
Mary and Scarlett moved forward with their plan. Mary confronted Ed directly, and she showed him the screenshots of his messages.
“I have all your messages,” she said, her voice steady as she held up her phone. “And I’ve already shown them to Scarlett. So you have no more room to manipulate anyone.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Ed looked shaken, but Mary continued, not backing down. “Here’s the deal,” she told him firmly. “Give up your claim to the house, sign these divorce papers, and agree to pay child support. Do this, and I’ll stay quiet. Otherwise, I’ll make sure your lover knows the truth.”
Backed into a corner, Ed reluctantly agreed and signed the papers without a word. He had no idea that Scarlett had the final piece of the plan.
Scarlett went to Ed’s lover herself, revealing everything—his lies, his fake claims of wealth, and his deception. She left nothing hidden, ensuring her son’s lies would come crashing down.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
When Ed found out, Scarlett was sitting with Mary, enjoying tea at her house. Suddenly, loud banging echoed from the front door, followed by Ed’s furious shouting.
“You promised you wouldn’t tell if I did everything you asked!” he yelled through the door, his voice sharp with anger.
Mary looked at the door calmly and replied, “I didn’t tell her anything, Ed.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Scarlett raised her voice so Ed could hear. “I did,” she called out firmly. “I taught you that lying is wrong, but you clearly didn’t learn.”
“You’re both insane!” Ed shouted, his voice shaking with rage. “You’ll regret this! I’ll make you pay!”
Just then, the police arrived, alerted by a neighbor’s call. They restrained Ed, leading him away as he continued yelling threats, while Mary and Scarlett stayed inside, unshaken while finishing their tea.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
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