I still can’t believe this happened. Money was tight, and my husband Jack didn’t care-he just wanted the house clean and dinner ready. So, I secretly took a second job.

The listing said: “Housekeeper needed. Good pay. Discretion required.” It was for Vanessa-a stunning, wealthy woman clearly living off some man’s money.

It stung, knowing I struggled for my kids while she had it all handed to her.

Three weeks in, I found his photo. Jack. My husband. He was smiling with Vanessa on a yacht, spoiling her while I barely kept us afloat.

I was furious but stayed calm. Vanessa didn’t know who I was, and I had a plan.

At home slowly started to pull back. I quit cooking elaborate meals and stopped picking up after Jack’s messes. I said to him work was getting harder and that I didn’t have the energy to do everything anymore.

“I’m doing the best I can, Jack,” I said coolly. “Work’s been rough.”

“Work’s been rough?” he snapped. “And you think I’m not tired? The house is falling apart, Liz. What happened to you taking care of things like you used to?”

I said, “Things change, Jack. Maybe I’m just stretched too thin.”

“Well, figure it out,” he rolled his eyes. “I can’t keep coming home to this mess.”

In the mean time, at Vanessa’s, I started piecing together clues. I spotted the gifts Jack had given her and found handwritten notes.

Also, I overheard Vanessa on the phone, cooing about her “sweet boyfriend.”

I kept my composure. Then, one evening, Jack dropped a bombshell.

“Liz, we need to talk,” he said.

“What’s this about, Jack?”

“This isn’t working anymore,” he confessed. “I’m not happy. You’re not happy. The house is a mess, you’re always tired, and I feel like… like we’ve grown apart.”

“We’ve grown apart? Jack, this is coming out of nowhere.”

“It’s not out of nowhere,” he said in a defensive tone. “I’ve been feeling this way for a while, and I think it’s better if we just take a break. I’ll stay with a friend for now.”

“Is that what you want?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said firmly, his eyes darting away from mine. “It’s for the best.”

I nodded slowly.

“Alright, Jack,” I began. “If that’s how you feel, I won’t stop you.”

Two days later, he moved out. The night Jack arrived at Vanessa’s apartment, I was already there. I had finished my cleaning for the day and made a decision to linger, sipping tea on the plush sofa in the guest room.

I quickly slipped on one of Vanessa’s designer gowns that looked like it had never been worn.

I kept my face calm.

The door swung open, and there he was, dragging his suitcases behind him.

Vanessa greeted him with her usual sultry smile.

“Jack! Finally,” she cooed, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I was wondering when you’d get here.”

At that point, I stepped out of the shadows.

“Welcome home, Jack.”

He whipped around so fast that he almost dropped his suitcase.

“L-Liz?” he whispered.

I smiled sweetly, “Surprised to see me?”

Vanessa’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Wait, you two know each other?”

“Oh, we’re well acquainted,” I said. “I’m Liz. You know, Jack’s wife? The one he forgot to mention while he was showering you with gifts.”

“Jack, what is she talking about?”

“V-vanessa, I—I,” he stammered. “This isn’t… it’s not what you think!”

“Oh, isn’t it?” I interjected, holding up a sleek leather jewelry case I had found in one of her drawers. “Recognize this, Jack? These are the gifts you bought her. Thoughtful, aren’t they?”

“Wait, those aren’t just from Jack,” she blurted.

“Exactly,” I said, flipping open the case to reveal its contents. It had diamond bracelets, ruby necklaces, and earrings that sparkled under the apartment’s soft lighting.

“Each one has a little tag. Like this one.” I plucked out a necklace and read the tag aloud. “‘From Paul, February 2023.’ And this one? ‘From James, December 2022.'”

Then, I looked at Jack.

“You weren’t her only ‘sweet boyfriend,’ Jack,” I announced. “Turns out, Vanessa here is quite the collector.”

Jack’s gaze landed on Vanessa and his eyebrows furrowed.

“Vanessa, is this true?” he asked. “Are you seeing other men?”

“Jack, I can explain,” she said. “Those are just gifts! They don’t mean anything.”

“Right,” I scoffed. “Gifts from all your other boyfriends who helped fund this little fantasy life of yours.”

“You told me I was the only one!” Jack yelled. “That you loved me!”

Vanessa decided it was time to tell him the truth. “Oh, grow up, Jack,” she said. “Did you really think I’d wait around for you to leave your wife and kids? Please!”

Her words crushed his delusions. I almost felt sorry for him, but I wasn’t done yet.

“And Jack,” I said, stepping closer. “That prenup you insisted on? The one that punishes infidelity? It guarantees I get everything now that you’ve cheated. So, congratulations! You’re homeless and penniless.”

“Liz, please,” he cried. “We can talk about this—”

“No, Jack,” I said firmly. “We’re done.”

I turned to Vanessa, who looked more annoyed than apologetic.

“Good luck with this one,” I said, gesturing to Jack. “He’s all yours. Until he runs out of money.”

I walked out of the apartment, feeling a rush of satisfaction. In the mean time, Jack kept begging me to return, but I didn’t even look back.

The divorce was finalized within weeks. I got the house, the savings, and full custody of the kids.

Jack was left with nothing but regret. Vanessa? She moved on to her next target.