After marrying Catherine, I went abroad to earn some money. Month after month, I worked diligently and sent all my earnings to her. Ten years later, I decided to return home. Catherine had been working for a company that often required her to travel for business. Now, our children are grown, we are both 57 years old, and I run my own business. One day, I visited another company outside the city for business purposes, and in the director’s office, I noticed a photograph of my wife. I was taken aback by the discovery.
Catherine and I tied the knot shortly after finishing school. Three years later, we welcomed our son, followed by another, and eventually, a daughter. I immediately took up a job and enrolled in evening classes. Catherine dedicated all her time to the children, not working professionally. After completing my studies, I chose to go to the UK. There, I worked consistently, ensuring we were never short on money. Upon returning, I established a small business, which continues to provide a decent profit to this day.
Now, at 57, I’ve never had any reason to doubt Catherine’s fidelity. It never crossed my mind that she could be unfaithful. Our children have grown up, have jobs, and started families of their own.
Catherine has been employed at the same company for the past decade and has been frequently traveling for business, particularly in the last three years. Sometimes these trips would last up to a month. Despite this, she never forgot about us, calling almost daily to express how much she missed me and the kids.
Once, I needed to travel to another town to negotiate a wholesale fruit purchase. We went to the supplier’s office to finalize the agreement. I was shocked to recognize my wife in a photo smiling sweetly next to Andrew, our new supplier. I stared at the picture, holding my breath. Managing to collect my thoughts, I casually asked who was in the photo. Andrew mentioned it was his wife, whom he’d been married to civilly for four years, and suggested we finalize the deal at his home, where he could introduce me to her. Along the way, he praised his wife for being an excellent homemaker, noting that her frequent business trips were her only flaw.
I stayed calm on the way to his house. Once there, Andrew proudly introduced me to his wife in the dining room. Catherine was stunned upon seeing me, frozen and speechless. We gazed at each other for what felt like an eternity. Realizing nothing good would come from staying, I silently left the house.
Rushing to pack my things at the hotel, I made my way to the train station. Only in the train compartment did I begin to regain my senses, plagued by the question, “Why?” At home, I was restless, unable to eat or sleep, failing to comprehend why she did this to me. Days passed, and I remained unsettled.
Catherine called, but I didn’t answer. A week later, I finally picked up. She stammered over explanations, apologies, and even blame. By the conversation’s end, she was full of apologies. I listened quietly before hanging up, incapable of hearing more. My wife had lived a double life, deceiving me and our children.
Two weeks later, she appeared at our home, hoping I’d forgive her. I calmly asked her to explain the situation to the kids. She insisted it was my fault for not giving her enough attention, asserting she still loved us. Our younger son stayed silent, the older one as well, while tears rolled down our daughter’s cheeks. Catherine understood she was unwelcome and left.
A year later, she returned, having been left by her husband for another woman. She attempted to see me several times, but I refused. The children also ignored her calls.
