My Cheating Wife Was Smiling at the Company Party… Until She Saw Who Walked In With Me

” I explained, grinning at Sarah. “Mom, why did you make such an important decision without discussing it with us?” Emma asked. “Yes, Mom. Don’t you care what we think?” Tommy added. Sarah looked confused. “It was just a misunderstanding. Your father misunderstood how I felt. I don’t know, honey. You made your intentions very clear.

In fact, once I saw you were completely committed to your decision, I knew there was no turning back. I interrupted, looking directly at Sarah. Sarah looked like she was about to cry and left the room. What’s wrong with mom lately? She’s been crying about everything. Tommy asked. I shrugged and told them they should ask her.

Before Emma could ask another question, I told them I had a business trip planned and would be back in a few days. I told them I wouldn’t be reachable during my trip, but I would call them every evening. I kissed the tops of their heads and quickly headed toward the door. I wondered if they noticed I didn’t say goodbye to their mom, who was still in the bedroom.

I picked Ashley up from her apartment and we headed to the airport. It was one of the best weekends of my life. We flew first class, stayed at a five-star resort, and were treated like royalty. A weekend full of fun, snow, mountain air, great food and drinks, and even better, Ashley was very affectionate and constantly showed how much she enjoyed being with me.

By the time we headed back, we were both completely relaxed and I felt like I knew Ashley much better. On Tuesday, I dropped Ashley off at her apartment. Ashley kissed me passionately at the front door. Do you want to spend one more night with me? She asked. Yes, I would love to, but I need to face reality sometime. And you have classes tomorrow.

Call me before you go to bed. I need to hear your voice before I sleep, I said. I kissed her one last time and drove home, smiling to myself. As I was driving down the street to my house, I saw Sarah’s car parked in her driveway. I parked on the street in front of my part of the house to avoid her.

While I was unpacking, Sarah knocked on my front door. “You’re back,” she said. “Yes, I am. Can we talk?” “Of course. What do you want to talk about? I asked. Can I come in? She asked. No, you’re not allowed on my side. To be clear, this is my personal living space, and you are not welcome here. Never, I said firmly.

Sarah, clearly shocked, looked at me for a moment before turning to go back to her side. The reality that I was not going to live on her side of the duplex had just become clear. We ended up sitting at her kitchen table. “Michael, I love you and I want everything to go back to normal.” Sarah said, “It’s not going to happen,” I replied.

“Why?” “Because in case you haven’t noticed, you did something that changed how I feel about you forever. It shouldn’t be like this,” she said. “Actually, that’s true. Nothing will undo what you did or how I feel about it. But I love you. She collected her thoughts. Let’s say we were on a date as a couple with our friends.

You left me and went with another woman, spent the entire night, and slept with her. If you had done this on our first date, would there have been a second? But Michael, it was Rick. She said, I don’t care who it was. You chose someone else over me? I said, “Michael, I keep trying to tell you that I didn’t choose Rick over you.

” She insisted. “So, you didn’t choose to sneak out the back of the hotel? You didn’t sleep with Rick Harrison. It was just one night. You had your whole life to show me how much you loved me. The moment someone more famous spoke to you, I became nothing. Does this mean I should keep you away from all famous athletes, actors, politicians? You know there’s a marathon this weekend.

Are you planning to sleep with the winner? This isn’t fair. In a quiet, even tone, I said, “So now you want me to be fair. You want a chance to minimize your betrayal. A chance to talk me out of my anger over what you did. A chance to shame me for feeling betrayed. A fair chance to accuse me of not putting our family before my own pain.

I seemed to be the only one expected to be fair in this relationship. I reached across the table and took her hand. She smiled and took my hand with both of hers. I looked deep into Sarah’s eyes, knowing I was going to hurt her. Sarah needed to know exactly how our relationship would develop in the future.

It’s too late, Sarah. Too late. Yes, too late. I found someone else. Sarah pulled her hands away from mine as if my hand was on fire. Do you know who it is? I’m sure Dean and your friends told you who I was with that night after you left. The redhead I danced with, the one who held me while we danced. The woman who replaced you on the anniversary you threw away.

When the words replaced you and threw away reached her, I looked into Sarah’s eyes and saw profound sadness. I realized Dean must have told Sarah about Ashley and me dancing together, looking like lovers with anger simmering in her voice. Sarah said, “Are you doing this to get back at me?” Throwing some 24year-old girl in my face to get even. Actually, 21.

I spent 4 days with her in Aspen. You know that dream vacation you and I always wanted to take. It was amazing. I said, unable to suppress a slight grin. Sarah glared at me. After I finished speaking, I saw my words had made her very angry. I knew the smirk that remained on my face increased her anger.

I reminded myself of the children and took a deep breath, forcing my expression to relax, so my grin disappeared with a look in her eyes that I knew would be followed by some soulsearing condemnation. Sarah opened her mouth and pointed her finger at me. But when she saw my grin return, she realized I knew every word she was going to say.

Sarah froze, then exhaled slowly, closed her mouth, and placed her hand on the table. We sat quietly, staring at each other. I knew Sarah wanted to yell at me, tear me apart, put me in my place for what I had done. But she realized she had no moral ground left to stand on. The leverage she was used to having in our relationship was based on love and trust.

The same love and trust she had casually erased. Finally, it dawned on Sarah that what she had done had cost her more than she had ever imagined. I’m sure when Sarah decided to sleep with Rick, she thought she would just spend some of the goodwill she had accumulated over the years of our marriage. She finally suspected that she had foolishly put everything on the line.

Sarah sat quietly for a moment, staring at her hands clasped together on the table. “It doesn’t matter. I love you,” she said. “Yes, you continue to think your love means something special. Why do you think your love is important to me after what you did? It’s obvious my love for you meant nothing to you.

So why should I value yours? I replied, “But I don’t want to lose you.” Sarah said, “Well, I don’t understand why you thought you could completely destroy my trust in you and expect to keep me. You took me for granted and now you don’t deserve me.” I said, “I’m going to my place. I still have a lot of work to do around the house.

I’ll be back to have dinner with you and the kids. Please don’t bother me until then. I got up and returned to my apartment. Sarah was crying when I left. Leaving Sarah was terribly painful. I wanted to comfort her like before, but deep down I knew there was no going back to what we were. The Sarah I thought of as my wife was gone and never would be again.

Everything I would ever have with her would be a painful reminder of everything we could have had. Everything she carelessly destroyed without a second thought or an ounce of guilt. Before dinner, the kids and I went to my side of the house to look around. I showed them the new kitchen area and how I was going to remove the back wall and make it all glass to overlook the new pool.

They looked worried as they examined the fence dividing the backyard in half. They realized this side would be Daddy’s home. I then showed them where their new rooms would be on my side of the house. Why do I need two bedrooms in the house, Dad? Tommy asked. Because this side will be my home, and that side will be your mother’s home. Are you and mom getting a divorce, Dad? Mom doesn’t say anything no matter how many times we ask.

Emma said, “No, we’re just separated. I don’t want to be a weekend dad, so I thought I just split the house, and you two can live on whichever side you want each day, I explained. Before we could continue, Sarah poked her head through my front door to announce that dinner was ready. We ate in silence. Sarah was tense, and it was clear the children were learning more about what was happening.

Tommy blurted out too loudly. I’ll move in with Dad as soon as he finishes my room. Sarah had a shocked look on her face. “Dad said you guys are separating,” Tommy exclaimed. “We are not. It’s just a misunderstanding and we’re not done discussing it yet.” Sarah clarified. Emma slammed her hand on the table and shouted. “Who cheated? I want to know.

” Emma and Tommy looked back and forth between Sarah and me. I stared at Sarah. Sarah stared at her plate. When Sarah began to cry, the children got their answer. I told the children their mother was tired and needed some rest. I helped Sarah up and walked her to the bedroom, helped her get ready for bed, and tucked her in.

I quickly kissed her forehead as if she were a child who had woken from a nightmare. I turned off the light and closed the door. I focused on feeling for Sarah as I would for one of my children, an adult child who had committed a terrible crime and was sentenced to prison for life. I would still love my child, but they would no longer be part of my daily life or thoughts. First, I went to Tommy’s room.

He was lying on his bed texting his friends. I asked if he wanted to talk about it. He said, “No, not really.” I went to Emma’s room. Emma was angry and crying. Why did she do this, Dad? You have to ask her. You can’t just forgive her. Can you? Then I would never be able to forgive myself.

Emma said, I know, but I want us to stay together as a family. We are together. I just won’t sleep in the same room as your mother anymore. I explained, hugging Emma. We said we loved each other and I returned to my part of the house. This became our new normal. I always left for work before the kids got up, so our morning routine didn’t change.

Sarah and I still shared responsibilities, taking the kids to friends activities and sports. We still had our usual family dinners together whenever possible in Sarah’s half of the house. Sarah tried to talk to me about us about once a week, but I shut her down, saying I didn’t want to discuss it. Another obvious change was at school functions.

I never stood or sat next to Sarah during our children’s school activities. If Sarah moved next to me, I immediately excused myself to go to the restroom. When I returned, I sat or stood somewhere else. I was never alone for long as at least one of the single or divorced women we knew quickly found herself next to me.

And yes, they always asked and my answer was, “We separated.” Over the next month, I bought new clothes, new appliances, new kitchen cabinets, and new furniture for my side. My side was transformed into a stylish bachelor pad with a large TV and new entertainment system. When I bought a new high-end convertible, Sarah tried to ask me about our finances.

Michael, can we afford all this? This car must have cost a fortune, she asked. Well, Sarah, my car was 8 years older than yours, and I needed a new one. You always bought a new car twice as often as I did, so I just invested a few of those missed years into my new car. As for everything else new, you really didn’t expect me to live in a dump, did you? What about the furniture? She replied.

I thought I was being considerate by not forcing you to give up any of the furniture you bought to decorate your home. I would be happy to share our furniture. It’s okay. I’ve never been attracted to your taste in furniture. You never said anything before. I never said anything before because I wanted you to be happy and furniture didn’t matter much to me.

I let her think about that statement for a few moments. Don’t worry, we have enough money. In fact, the house is paid off and as soon as the children move out, my side will be too big for my needs. I’ll rent out my part of the house for extra income, so money won’t be a problem. I assured her.

Sarah gave me her best smile. her. Someone’s going to get lucky today. Smile and reached out to squeeze my shoulder. I’m not complaining. I like your new car. You’ve been working out and looking great in your new clothes. She complimented. Thank you. I can’t take all the credit. Tommy and Emma wanted me to buy a convertible so they could drive it.

And Ashley helped me pick out new clothes and furniture. We have very similar tastes, I replied. Sarah’s smile disappeared at the mention of Ashley and her hand fell from my shoulder. “Oh, I was just wondering,” Sarah said, then turned and walked away. I wasn’t trying to throw Ashley in Sarah’s face, but Ashley was becoming a big part of my life.

I also realized I now thought about Ashley quite often and very little about Sarah’s feelings. Ashley began spending regular time at my side of the house. At this point, Tommy and Emma began spending most of their time on my side as well. Tommy had already moved into his room on my side as his primary bedroom. Emma, who had mostly stayed on Sarah’s side, began hanging out with Ashley more and more.

Ashley seemed to become Emma’s cool older sister. Soon, Ashley began spending all weekends and most weekn nights with me. The only disagreement Sarah voiced was when I insisted that Ashley join us for our family dinner for the second time. Sarah was polite, but everyone could tell she didn’t want this to become a regular occurrence.

The next day, Sarah approached me as I was leaving for work. Michael, I appreciate that we can talk, but I wish you wouldn’t bring your girlfriend to our dinners. This is our time to be a family with the kids. Sarah said, “That’s wonderful. In the future, I won’t come to dinner when Ashley isn’t welcome, but I’ll also extend an open invitation for the kids to have dinner with me and Ashley whenever they want,” I replied.

“That’s not fair, Michael. This is the only time we can be together as a family. So, we’re talking about being fair again, Sarah,” I asked. Okay, to be honest, Ashley is becoming a big part of my life, and I want her to be more involved. Ashley and the children get along great. I don’t think excluding Ashley from our family dinners is fair to her or fair to the kids.

If you want to exclude her, you’re going to exclude me, too. I stated firmly. But, Michael, Sarah began, your honesty, you brought yours to hell with my feelings. I bet you thought you were being honest when you slipped out the back door to sleep with Rick Harrison. Even though we were no longer living together, it was surprising to see how easily Sarah thought she could still manipulate me.