“Everything okay?” I asked as we sat down.
Fiona glanced up, startled. “Oh, yeah. Just checking something quick.”
I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment. This was supposed to be our special night, but she seemed a million miles away.
The waiter appeared with menus. “Can I interest you in our anniversary special? A bottle of champagne to start?”
“That sounds perfect,” I said, smiling at Fiona. “What do you think, honey?”
She was staring at her phone again. “Hm? Oh, sure. Whatever you want.”
I sighed and ordered the champagne. As the waiter walked away, I reached across the table and gently touched Fiona’s hand.
“Hey, can we maybe put the phones away? It’s our anniversary.”
Fiona looked guilty. “You’re right, I’m sorry. It’s just this new video series I found —”
I tried to keep the irritation out of my voice. “Another prank channel?”
“They’re hilarious, Aidan! You should see some of these —”
I tuned out as she launched into a description of the latest viral prank. My mind wandered back to the past few weeks, and I felt my stomach tighten.
It had started innocently enough, Fiona showing me funny videos on her phone, and both of us laughing. But then she’d started trying to recreate them at home.
There was the time she jumped out from behind the shower curtain, nearly giving me a heart attack. The fake spider in Nora’s lunchbox that made our daughter cry. The “broken” glass prank that left Callum afraid to touch anything in the kitchen for days.
Each time, Fiona would laugh it off. “It’s just a joke!” she’d say. “Don’t be so serious!”
But I’d seen the fear in our kids’ eyes, felt the constant tension in my own shoulders. It wasn’t funny anymore. It was exhausting.
I snapped back to the present as the waiter returned with our champagne. Fiona was still talking, gesturing animatedly about some YouTuber’s latest stunt.
Fiona stood up abruptly. “I need to use the restroom. Be right back.”
I watched her walk away, a sense of unease growing in my stomach. Something felt off.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted behind me. I turned to see Fiona stumbling between tables, clutching her throat.
“I can’t breathe!” she gasped, falling to her knees. “Help me!”
The restaurant erupted in chaos. People rushed to her side, calling for help. I sat frozen, unable to process what was happening.
Then Fiona started laughing. “Just kidding!” she announced, getting to her feet. “It was a prank!”
The silence that followed was deafening. I felt the eyes of every patron boring into me. Fiona grinned, oblivious to the horror on everyone’s faces.
“Ma’am, that was extremely inappropriate,” the manager said, approaching our table. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
I stood up, grabbing my coat. “I’m leaving,” I said, my voice tight with anger. “Without my wife. You can get an Uber home on your own,” I informed her.
Fiona’s smile faltered. “Aw, come on. It was just a joke!”
I didn’t even respond. I couldn’t even look at her. I rushed out to the car and made off before she had time to respond — besides, she needed to settle the bill anyway.
As soon as I got home, I headed for the kids’ rooms. “Pack a bag,” I told Nora and Callum. “We’re going to Uncle Declan’s for a bit.”
An hour later, I was knocking on my brother’s door, two sleepy kids in tow. Declan took one look at my face and ushered us inside without a word.
“Guest room’s all yours,” he said, helping me with the bags. “Want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. “Not tonight. Thanks, bro.”
My phone buzzed incessantly with messages from Fiona. I ignored them all and tried to sleep.
The next morning, I woke to find 37 missed calls and twice as many texts. I scrolled through them, my anger reigniting.
“You’re overreacting.”
“It was just a joke!”
“How could you embarrass me like that?”
“You owe me an apology.”
I tossed the phone aside, disgusted. How could she not see how wrong she was?
As if on cue, my phone rang again. This time, it was Greta, Fiona’s mom. I hesitated before answering.
“Aidan! What’s this I hear about you abandoning my daughter at a restaurant?” Greta’s voice was shrill with indignation.
I took a deep breath. “Hi, Greta. It’s not what you think.”
“Oh? Then explain it to me, young man. Because from where I’m standing, you left your wife alone on your anniversary. That’s pretty low.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming on. “Fiona pulled a prank, Greta. A bad one. She pretended to choke in the middle of a crowded restaurant.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “She did what?”
I recounted the events of the previous night, including Fiona’s recent obsession with pranks and how it was affecting our family.
When I finished, Greta was quiet for a long moment. Then she sighed heavily. “Oh, Aidan. I had no idea it had gotten this bad.”
“Yeah, well. Now you know.”
“I… I don’t know what to say. If things are really this bad, I… I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted a divorce.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Divorce? Is that where we were headed?
“I don’t know, Greta,” I said honestly. “I just need some time to think.”
After we hung up, I sat on the edge of the bed, my head in my hands. Was this really the end of our marriage?
I spent the day in a daze, mechanically going through the motions of caring for the kids. By evening, I’d made a decision.
I called Fiona. “Meet me at the restaurant tomorrow at 7 p.m. We need to talk.
She agreed immediately, sounding relieved. I hung up before she could say more.
The next night, I arrived at the restaurant early. My palms were sweaty as I clutched the envelope containing the divorce papers I’d had drawn up that afternoon.
Fiona walked in, looking smaller and more vulnerable than I’d ever seen her. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her hair disheveled.
“Hi,” she said softly, as she took a seat alongside me.
“Hi,” I replied, my throat tight.
We sat in awkward silence for a moment. Then Fiona burst out, “Aidan, I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you or the kids. I just got carried away with the pranks and —”
I held up a hand to stop her. Without a word, I slid the envelope across the table.
Fiona’s hands shook as she opened it. Her eyes widened as she realized what she was looking at.
“No,” she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Please, Aidan, no. We can work this out. I’ll stop the pranks, I promise. Please don’t leave me.”
I let her cry for a moment, my own eyes stinging. Then I took a deep breath.
“It’s a prank,” I said quietly.
Fiona’s head snapped up. “What?”
“The divorce papers. They’re not real. It’s a prank.”
Her mouth opened and closed, no sound coming out. I leaned forward, my voice intense.
“This is what it feels like, Fiona. This is how your pranks make us feel. Scared, hurt, betrayed. Is this what you want for our family?”
Fiona’s face crumpled. “No,” she sobbed. “God, no. I’m so sorry, Aidan. I never realized…”
I reached across the table and took her hand. “I love you, Fiona. But this has to stop. No more pranks. Ever. Can you promise me that?”
She nodded vigorously, squeezing my hand. “I promise. No more pranks. I’ll delete all those stupid videos. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
I exhaled slowly, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. “Okay,” I said. “Then let’s go home.”
As we stood to leave, Fiona hesitated. “Aidan? Thank you for not giving up on us.”
I pulled her into a hug, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair. “We’re in this together,” I murmured. “For better or worse, remember?”
She laughed softly, a sound I realized I’d missed. “I remember. Let’s aim for ‘better’ from now on, okay?”
I nodded, feeling cautiously optimistic for the first time in weeks. As we walked out of the restaurant hand in hand, I knew we had a long way to go. But at least now, we were on the same page.
And there wasn’t a prank in sight.
What would you have done?
My Coworker Unintentionally Revealed My Husband’s Affair, So I Took Immediate Action
Gina uncovers a shocking secret when a casual text from her coworker hints at her husband’s betrayal. She decides to confront the situation head-on, determined to uncover the truth. As she pieces together the clues, Gina’s life takes an unexpected turn. How will she deal with the sudden storm in her life?
I was sitting in my living room, scrolling through my phone, when a text from my friend and coworker Linda popped up.
“Hey, I’m excited about tonight’s movie double date! See you at Regal Cinema around 7 p.m.”
A person holding a smartphone | Source: Pexels
I stared at my phone, confused. George had told me he had a late meeting at work tonight.
We have two kids, a boy and a girl, and our life is usually quite busy. Between George’s job and taking care of the kids, we rarely have time for dates, let alone double dates.
I texted Linda back, “What double date?”
A happy family | Source: Pexels
She replied almost instantly, “George didn’t tell you? He and Carter set it up. Don’t worry, it’ll be fun!”
My heart sank. George hadn’t mentioned anything about this. Why would he plan a double date without telling me? And who was supposed to watch the kids?
Determined to get to the bottom of this, I decided to head to the cinema. I quickly arranged for our neighbor to watch the kids for a couple of hours.
Orange “Central Cinema” LED sign | Source: Pexels
As I got ready, I thought about our life. George and I have always been close, sharing everything about our days. Our kids keep us on our toes, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
This sudden mystery about George’s plans felt strange and out of character.
I grabbed my phone, booked a cab, and headed out. A double date that I knew nothing about? It was time to find out what was really going on.
A woman standing on the sidewalk near a cab | Source: Pexels
When I arrived at Regal Cinema, my heart pounded. I paid the cab driver and walked toward the entrance. Just as I got there, I saw George walking in with a stylish woman on his arm.
My heart sank. Who was she, and why was George with her?
A stylish woman in a black dress | Source: Pexels
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. This wasn’t the time to jump to conclusions. I needed to see more.
I walked up to the ticket counter and asked, “Can I have two tickets for the movie my husband and that woman just bought?”
The ticket seller looked a bit puzzled but quickly handed me the tickets.
A person holding cinema tickets | Source: Pexels
“Enjoy your movie, I guess,” he said with a shrug.
“Thanks,” I replied, though I didn’t feel like smiling.
As I followed them, I saw George and the woman heading toward one of the theaters. I kept a safe distance behind them, making sure they didn’t notice me.
A smiling woman facing a man | Source: Pexels
The woman was laughing at something George said, and he was smiling back at her. My mind raced with questions and doubts. So you’re cheating on me, George, aren’t you?
As I made my way to the concession stand, I spotted Linda and her date, Carter. “Oh, you guys are already here?” I greeted them with a smile, and Linda’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Hey, hi! Where’s George?” she stammered, forcing a smile.
Grayscale image of a pretty woman | Source: Pexels
“Funny you should ask,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “I believe he’s already inside with his date!”
Linda sighed, realizing I knew the truth. “Gina, I’m really sorry. I had no idea he was seeing someone else. Carter told me on the way,” she sighed.
“It’s not your fault, Linda,” I said. “You couldn’t have known.”
A woman posing in a white T-shirt | Source: Pexels
We walked into the theater together, and I pointed out George and the stylish woman seated a few rows ahead.
We took our seats, and I tried to focus on the movie, but my mind was elsewhere.
A couple watching a movie | Source: Pexels
Midway through the film, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I stood up and called out, “George! Fancy seeing you here! And who’s your lovely companion?”
The theater fell silent. George looked like he had seen a ghost, and the woman seemed completely bewildered.
“Honey, what are you doing here?” George stammered.
A shocked man | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, I was invited by Linda. You remember Linda, don’t you? Funny thing, she thought we were on a double date. Imagine my surprise when I found out you had other plans!”
Linda stood up, adding to the drama. “I had no idea! I thought George was bringing you, not some other woman.”
The stylish woman, now realizing what was happening, turned to George. “You told me you were single! Is this your wife?”
A shocked couple at the movies | Source: Midjourney
I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anger and determination. “Yes, I am his wife. Or at least, I was. Consider this my official notice that I’m done with your lies and deceit, George. Enjoy your movie, everyone!”
With that, I walked out of the theater, my emotions a whirlwind. Linda quickly followed me.
“Gina, wait up!” Linda called out, catching up to me. “I’m so sorry. I–I ruined everything.”
“It’s okay, Linda. It’s not your fault,” I replied, trying to hold back tears.
A woman’s face with a tear rolling down her cheek | Source: Pexels
“Do you need a ride home?” Linda offered, concerned.
“Yes, please. I could use the company,” I admitted. “But wait, what about Carter?”
“I think he’ll want to be with George. Let’s get out of here,” Linda said, guiding me to her car.
Red taillight | Source: Pexels
As we left the cinema, I felt a strange combination of empowerment and sadness. My marriage was over, but I was ready to face whatever came next. With friends like Linda by my side, I knew I’d be okay.
The next day at work, I walked into the office feeling a bit anxious.
Inside an office | Source: Pexels
The story of what happened at the cinema spread like wildfire. But my coworkers, who had always seen me as the quiet, dependable one, now looked at me with newfound respect.
“Hey Gina, I heard what happened. You handled it like a champ,” said Sarah from accounting.
Two coworkers | Source: Pexels
“Thanks, Sarah. It wasn’t easy, but it needed to be done,” I replied, managing a small smile.
Throughout the day, I received similar comments from other colleagues. It felt strange to be the center of attention but also somewhat empowering. People who had never said much to me before were now reaching out with words of support.
George tried to contact me multiple times, but I ignored his calls and messages.
A woman using her laptop with her phone nearby | Source: Pexels
Each time my phone buzzed, I felt a twinge of pain, but I knew I had to stay strong. I couldn’t let him pull me back into his web of lies.
Instead, I focused on rebuilding my life. I made a list of things I wanted to do — projects I had put off, hobbies I wanted to take up again, and ways to spend more quality time with my kids. They deserved a mother who was present and happy, not distracted by a broken marriage.
A happy mother with her children | Source: Pexels
At lunch, Linda called to check on me. “How are you holding up, Gina?”
“I’m doing okay, Linda. Thanks for being there last night. It meant a lot to me,” I said, grateful for her support.
“Anytime, Gina. You’re strong, and you’ll get through this. Just take it one day at a time,” she encouraged.
“I will,” I promised.
I knew I had made it through the tough time without falling apart.
A happy woman on a phone call | Source: Pexels
A few weeks later, I was busy preparing lunch when the doorbell rang unexpectedly. I opened it to find Veronica, the stylish woman from the cinema.
“Hi, Gina. I’m Veronica,” she began. “Can we talk? I had no idea George was married. I’m really sorry.”
Her sincerity struck me. “Sure, come on in,” I replied, curious about what she had to say.
A pretty woman | Source: Pexels
We sat in the living room, a pot of coffee between us. Veronica seemed nervous, but she took a deep breath and started talking.
“I found out everything about George a few days after it happened. I didn’t know he had kids. It crushed me. I can’t imagine how you must have felt,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears.
“I appreciate you coming here,” I said. “It’s been a tough few weeks, but I’ve had a lot of support.”
A person holding a cup of coffee | Source: Freepik
We talked for hours, sharing our stories and our pain. Despite the awkward start, we found common ground in our mutual betrayal. Surprisingly, it felt good to talk to someone who truly understood what I had gone through.
“You know, this isn’t what I expected when I came here,” Veronica admitted with a sad smile. “But I’m glad we talked. It’s helped me find some closure.”
“Me too,” I said, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “It’s strange, but in a way, this has helped me heal.”
What would you have done?
Two women holding cups and chatting at home | Source: Freepik
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