Michael and David met at work. David had recently joined a construction company in Chicago as the new manager. He was one of those people who could easily draw attention—witty, energetic, always full of ideas. He knew how to create a good atmosphere in any company.
Michael quickly became friends with him, especially when David showed that he could be not only fun but also a good friend. When Michael’s mother passed away and his financial situation started to slip, David didn’t hesitate to help. They became inseparable.
Then, one evening over a beer, David revealed his secret. He had a mistress.
“You know, Mike, life is too short to spend it with just one woman,” he laughed.
At first, Michael didn’t take it seriously. A man having an affair—nothing new. But then David asked for his help in hiding it from his wife. Michael hesitated, but friendly solidarity won out.
He had to become the alibi. Michael had a garage, so when needed, they would say they were both tinkering with cars. David’s wife, Sarah, suspected nothing. She believed every word her husband said.
But everything changed that evening when David invited Michael over.
Michael really didn’t want to go. He felt disgusting. He knew Sarah only from David’s stories: she was cold, boring, not understanding her husband’s needs. But when he finally stepped into their home, he was in for a shock.
Sarah was nothing like he had imagined. Beautiful, gentle, with an extraordinary sense of humor. She seemed like she had unconditionally loved her husband all her life.
Michael realized that he had been helping to deceive a completely innocent person.
And then everything turned upside down.
After that evening, the friends had a serious argument.
“I’ve had enough,” Michael said. “I won’t help you anymore.”
“You don’t understand!” David retorted. “I can’t live without Jessica. But Sarah doesn’t need to know. Why ruin her world? She believes I’m in the garage, and that’s enough for her. Everyone’s happy.”
Michael didn’t respond. But inside, he already knew what he would do.
And then came the day when everything was revealed.
One morning, David walked into the office beaming.
“I got a week off!” he proudly announced. “Jessica and I are going to Miami.”
“And what will you tell Sarah?” Michael asked, already knowing the answer.
“That I’m going on a business trip. And you’ll confirm it, as always.”
But this time, Michael refused.
David was stunned. He tried to convince him that “it’s just a small thing,” that “everything is the same as always.” But Michael had already made up his mind.
Two days later, Sarah called him.
Her voice was strange—tired, almost breathless.
“Can you come over? I need to talk to you.”
When Michael arrived, she was sitting at the table, her fingers clenched into fists. Her eyes were red from tears.
“I need to know the truth,” she said quietly.
“What truth?” Michael whispered, though he already knew what she would say.
“Yesterday, he called me Jessica,” Sarah closed her eyes, as if trying to hold back the pain. “More than once. And… his clothes smelled of women’s perfume.”
She looked up at him, her eyes full of tears and despair.
“I don’t want to be a fool. Please, tell me everything.”
Michael bowed his head.
And he told her everything.
When David returned from his vacation, the house was empty.
Sarah was gone. She didn’t answer her phone; her friends said they knew nothing. Panicking, he called Michael.
“She’s with me,” he replied calmly.
Fifteen minutes later, David stood at Michael’s apartment door, his face white with rage.
“You… you told her everything?!” his voice trembled with anger. “I only asked you to confirm the business trip!”
Michael leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest.
“And you were cheating on your wife. So what’s worse?”
David clenched his fists in fury.
“And what, you think you’re better?”
Michael looked him in the eye.
“You know what’s better? While you were running around with someone else, Sarah realized what it means to be appreciated. And now we love each other.”
David leaned back as if he’d been punched in the stomach.
