My husband started working late every Friday, always with a vague excuse. But one night, I saw a name pop up on his phone—and everything changed.
Daniel and I used to have our nights: cozy on the couch after putting Jason to bed, a shared blanket, popcorn, and our favorite old movie. But now? I sat alone rubbing lotion into my hands, listening to silence.
Then I heard his phone buzz downstairs. Strange—he was home, but not in bed?
I tiptoed down the stairs. The guest bathroom light was on. Water running. But it was the phone that got my attention.
“Jessie calling…”
Her picture lit up the screen. Smiling. School logo on her shirt. And it hit me.
Jason’s new teacher.
I sat on the stairs, stunned. Was he seriously having an affair with our son’s teacher? The nerve of saving her photo as her contact image…
I didn’t storm in. I didn’t scream. That’s not who I am. But I knew I needed answers. Quietly. Carefully. My way.
Over coffee the next day, I poured my heart out to my best friend, Lana.
“I think he’s cheating—with Jason’s teacher.”
Lana raised an eyebrow. “Okay, then let’s get the truth. Cleanly.”
“What?”
“One of our cleaning staff called out. You remember my husband’s company does janitorial work for the school?”
“Yeah…”
“I’ll say we’re sending a temp. That temp is you.”
I stared at her like she’d lost it.
“You want me to pose as a school janitor?”
“Exactly. Wig. Name badge. You go in, clean a little, and watch everything.”
I actually laughed. “Fifteen years of scrubbing my own floors—might as well get professional about it.”
Operation: Clean Up the Truth had officially begun.
The next morning, I left Daniel a note saying I had errands, and rushed to Lana’s. She handed me an oversized uniform, orthopedic shoes, gloves, and a red curly wig.
“You’re now Kacey the janitor,” she said, pinning on my name badge.
When we arrived at the school’s back entrance, she gave me a walkie-talkie and a push out the door. “If it gets ugly, run. Or hit the panic button. You’ve got this.”
Once inside, no one gave me a second glance. I started mopping hallways and blending in. But my nerves were shot. Every passing student felt like they could see through me.
Then came the moment.
The final bell rang. Kids poured into the halls. I spotted Jason—smiling, carefree—and then, Daniel, heading toward Jessie’s classroom.
I busied myself by mopping near her door. Then I heard her voice.
“Yeah, yeah… tonight, same as always?”
I froze. My stomach dropped.
Then—
“Dad?”
Jason. He stepped into the classroom. “I forgot my pencil case…”
He turned. His eyes met mine.
My mop slipped. The handle knocked the wig clean off.
Jason’s face twisted in confusion. “Mom?!”
Daniel looked up, stunned. “…Sweetheart?”
And there I was—busted in disguise, red-faced, exposed. My heart pounded in my chest.
I forced a smile. “Hi, honey. Just came to get Jason.”
Daniel stepped closer. “I’ll come with—”
“Oh no,” I cut him off. “You go on with your plans. Whatever they are.”
I grabbed Jason’s hand and left. The second the door shut behind us, my tears finally fell.
Back home, I was livid. But I had to stay calm—for Jason’s sake.
“You get to skip school tomorrow,” I told him. “Go watch cartoons.”
Then I stormed upstairs and started packing Daniel’s things into a suitcase.
Shirts. Jeans. Even his ironic “Best Husband Ever” tee.
As I was dragging the luggage out, someone appeared on our doorstep.
A young girl. About ten. Neatly braided hair. A backpack on one shoulder.
“Hi! I came with my dad.”
I blinked. What?
Daniel stepped out of the car.
“She’s… my daughter,” he said softly.
“What?”
Her name was Sofia. She smiled at me like we were old friends.
Jason peeked from around the corner.
“What’s going on?”
“You have a guest,” I said. “Be polite. Your dad and I need to talk.”
Once the kids were out of earshot, I faced Daniel.
“You should’ve told me the truth from the start.”
“I know. I was scared. Jessie and I… we were together before you. She left without a word. Now she’s back. Married. She doesn’t want me—just wants Sofia to have a father.”
I took a breath, still furious—but calmer. “Then let Jason know who she is. Don’t let him find out like I did. In a wig. With a mop.”
Daniel nodded. “We’ve been discussing moving her to a new school. Clara thought it’d be too awkward…”
“It will be awkward. But it’s the right thing.”
I turned to head inside.
“I’m going to pour milk for the kids.”
He hesitated. “What about the suitcase?”
“You’re carrying it. For once in your life, handle something yourself.”
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