Leighton, after witnessing how her parents celebrated their anniversary, is sure about one thing — when she gets married, she will do just that. But when her anniversary rolls around, her husband skips their romantic dinner and lies about a meeting. Curiosity prevails, and Leighton follows Josh, only to find him at a motel with the first person he ever loved. Is there a hidden truth, or is the story exactly what it looks like?
I grew up in a home where anniversaries were important and had to be celebrated. It was just something that my parents always paid extra attention to.
My mother would bake a cake every year on their anniversary, even if my father had dinner plans for them.
A woman and little girl decorating a cake | Source: Pexels
“It’s important to celebrate a marriage, Leighton,” my mother would say.
And she would usually be decorating the cake at this point.
“I mean, you’ll understand it one day,” she said. “But married life is difficult, and that’s why you have to celebrate making it another year.”
A little girl decorating a cake | Source: Pexels
Since then, I knew that if I ever got married, wedding anniversaries would be a big deal.
And then I met Josh, who seemed to understand the importance of it — or at least, the sentimentality of it all.
So, the other day was our sixth anniversary, and because it was the middle of the week, there just wasn’t going to be enough time to plan something intimate at home.
A newlywed couple at the beach | Source: Pexels
A dinner out was going to be our best option.
“It’s not a bad idea, Leighton,” Josh said when I told him that we had to settle on that.
“It’s much easier, anyway,” I said, thinking about the fuss of getting home and having to cook an elaborate dinner after a long day at the office.
The weekend before our anniversary, I went shopping and got Josh a new set of ties — my husband was into his tie collection and was always looking to add to it.
A couple at a restaurant | Source: Pexels
Then, on the day, I arranged to pick Josh up from work, excited for our romantic dinner at our favorite restaurant.
I left work a little earlier than usual and parked across the road from Josh’s building, waiting for him to leave work. I sat in the car, reapplying my lipstick and sorting my hair out. I sang along to the radio and waited.
Twenty minutes later, Josh still hadn’t come out. I tried calling him, but he didn’t answer either.
A woman driving a car | Source: Pexels
Eventually, I sent him a text:
Hey, honey! I’m waiting outside — I’m parked across the flower shop.
Not even a minute later, my phone pinged with a text message notification.
Caught up in a meeting, don’t wait for me. I’ll see you at home.
A flower shop exterior | Source: Pexels
My heart sank. I understood the importance of work — especially because Josh loved his job, and he always brought work home, often going through spreadsheets in bed at night.
I was disappointed, I mean, it was our special day. But I knew that these things were sometimes beyond our control. I picked up my phone to reply before driving off.
A woman turning around in the driver’s seat | Source: Pexels
Sure, see you later.
Starting the car, I could only think about sinking my teeth into a sugary donut.
“You can’t keep eating your feelings,” I told myself. “But today calls for it.”
Just then, I saw Josh push open the building door, his briefcase at his side, and his phone in his hand.
A person holding a donut | Source: Pexels
He walked briskly to an unfamiliar car and slid in — not even glancing to see if I was around.
Moments ago, I could imagine eating a donut, now I could only taste confusion and betrayal thick on my tongue.
Of course, I followed him. I needed to know who was driving the car and where they were headed.
I needed to know who my husband would rather spend our anniversary with if not me.
A parked car | Source: Pexels
I followed the car for about fifteen minutes before it started to slow down — we were just outside of town now. There were fewer buildings around, and it was quieter. If anything, the air seemed lighter and fresh.
“What are you up to, Josh?” I asked the silence around me.
A person driving down a lonely road | Source: Pexels
Eventually, the car led me to a decrepit motel on the outskirts of the city. I watched, hidden by the shadows, as my husband got out of the car. Moments later, another man stepped out of the car.
He was also in a suit, holding onto a stack of paperwork. But he walked in another direction — to the motel office, it seemed.
A man in a suit | Source: Pexels
Josh, on the other hand, walked straight up to a room. He knocked once, opened the door, and disappeared into a room.
I couldn’t sit back any longer. My feet moved on their own accord across the street, and there I was, outside the door that was slightly ajar.
A murmur of voices seeped out, spilling onto the pavement.
The exterior of a motel room | Source: Pexels
Pushing the door open, my eyes landed on a scene that knocked the wind out of me.
There was Josh, sitting at a little table, surrounded by paperwork. Directly across from him was a woman. But it wasn’t just any woman, it was Sophia — Josh’s first love.
I couldn’t understand what was happening. It was our anniversary, and Josh was here, in a run-down motel with the first woman he had loved.
It made no sense, but at the same time, a story seemed to be unfolding.
A couple sitting at a table | Source: Pexels
“Happy anniversary,” I said, the words laced with bitterness.
My husband leaped up, his face full of shock and his mouth hanging open.
“Leighton,” he said. “It’s not what it looks like!”
Sophia, her face flushed with surprise, began gathering the papers.
“Then what is it?” I asked. “You skipped dinner for whatever this is.”
My voice broke, teetering on the edge of anger and sorrow.
A shocked man | Source: Pexels
“No, Leighton, listen,” Sophia interjected, her voice calm, trying to soothe the storm.
“What are those papers for?” I asked.
I couldn’t see what they were, but my mind was convinced that they were divorce papers. Why else would my husband be sitting in a motel room with another woman?
A pile of paperwork on a table | Source: Unsplash
“Darling,” Josh said, taking a step toward me. “We’re planning to buy this motel.”
“What?” I asked, genuinely surprised by the turn of events.
“We thought that it would make a perfect business venture,” Sophia said. “This isn’t about me, Leighton. I just have the contacts to help it happen. The man who drove Josh here is my husband. He’s sorting out the final paperwork with the owner, who happens to be his brother-in-law.”
My husband nodded earnestly, adding, “I wanted this to be our new start, something that you and I could build together. To create a legacy for ourselves. This was supposed to be official last week, but there was a delay with the owner.”
A smiling man | Source: Pexels
“We only had this evening to sign everything,” Sophia chirped in.
The room was thick with tension as I processed their words.
“Why didn’t you just tell me that?” my voice softened as my heart rate slowed down.
Sophia looked from Josh to me and back to the pile of paperwork. She helped herself to a piece of candy from the dish in front of her.
A bowl of candy | Source: Unsplash
“I thought keeping it a surprise until everything was set would be… I don’t know, more special?” he said.
He looked down at the dirty carpet beneath our feet.
“So, what now?” I asked, looking at my watch.
“The moment my husband gets back with the signed documents, Josh can sign, and we’ll be done here,” Sophia said, picking up her handbag.
A woman holding her handbag | Source: Pexels
“Have a seat,” Josh said, pulling out a chair for me. “The moment I sign, we can get out of here.”
Sophia excused herself, claiming that she wanted to check out the vending machine because she was starving.
“You really just wanted this to be a surprise?” I asked Josh.
“Of course,” he said. “I’ve been looking into property for a while now. I want it to be our safety net in terms of finances.”
A vending machine | Source: Pexels
We sat together and spoke for a little while longer before Sophia and her husband came in, carrying the stack of paperwork that I had seen him holding earlier.
“Almost done now,” Sophia said, handing Josh a pen.
A little while later, we were in my car, with Josh driving us home.
A person signing a document | Source: Pexels
“I know it’s late, and that we have missed our reservation,” he said. “But let’s get some dinner anyway.”
We went to a diner not too far away from our home.
“No more secrets, Josh,” I said as our food arrived.
“I promise,” he said, reaching for my hand across the table, his eyes earnest.
As we drove home, I realized that although the night had not gone as planned, perhaps it needed to have been that way. With a promise renewed and a future venture to embark on together.
The exterior of a restaurant | Source: Pexels
But as Josh showered that evening, I pulled out the anniversary cake that I had gotten the day before. As it had been my parents’ tradition, I wanted it to become ours.
I surprised Josh with the cake as he was getting into bed.
“This is better than a fancy dinner,” he said.
After seeing the motel, I know that there’s going to be a lot of time and dedication going into it. At least while we try to make it our own.
I have paint swatches and room layouts already planned in my head.
A woman holding a cake | Source: Pexels
What would you have done?
My Manicurist Told Me About Her Lover, Only to Realize She Was Talking About My Husband
My husband surprised me with an appointment with my manicurist, but during our session, I discovered the woman was cheating with him! Angry, I tried to retaliate by getting revenge, but when the truth came out, I was left with egg on my face!
When I went in for my manicurist appointment that day, I had no idea that I was about to get more than what I bargained for. What I discovered had me seething as I imagined the worst about my loving husband. But before we get there, let me backtrack a bit to the day before…
A woman at a beauty parlor | Source: Midjourney
It had been a long day of privately tutoring a mix of energetic six-year-olds learning their ABCs and a precocious eight-year-old trying to ace his fractions. By the time I got home, I was completely drained. Adam, my husband of seven years, greeted me with his signature boyish smile and a kiss on the forehead.
“How’s my favorite teacher?” he asked, handing me a cup of herbal tea.
“Tired,” I replied with a laugh, plopping onto the couch. “But your tea makes it better.”
A happy woman drinking tea | Source: Midjourney
Adam always had a way of making me feel like the most important person in the world. We were one of those couples people envied, with a solid partnership full of love and shared dreams.
We had just started planning for a family, and I’d been secretly pinning nursery ideas to my Pinterest board.
“I might have to work late tonight, and tomorrow I’ll be staying at work overnight, unfortunately,” Adam said, running a hand through his dark hair. “Big project at the office.”
A man running his hand through his hair | Source: Midjourney
I nodded, not thinking much of it. His job as a successful manager for a mid-sized marketing firm often demanded odd hours.
“Just don’t overwork yourself, okay?”
“I won’t,” he promised, kissing me again before adding, “To make it up to you, I booked an appointment for you tomorrow afternoon at Lily’s Luxe Nails.”
I got up and thanked him with a kiss before he gave me one on the cheek and disappeared into his home office.
A woman getting a kiss from her man | Source: Midjourney
The next day, I went and treated myself to the rare indulgence of a trip to Lily’s Luxe Nails. Lily, the owner, was one of my favorite people. She had a magnetic personality, full of dramatic flair and endless gossip!
Her stories always left me laughing or clutching my pearls.
As I settled into the chair, Lily approached with her usual wide grin.
“Honey, you’re glowing! Your hubby’s treating you well?”
A manicurist | Source: Midjourney
“As always,” I said, holding out my hands for her to examine.
She laughed, taking out her tools.
“Well, at least he’s worth it. Some of us don’t get that lucky.”
Her comment caught my attention. Lily wasn’t one to complain about her personal life. In fact, she often bragged about her adventures in romance.
“Oh? Someone giving you trouble?” I asked.
A woman getting her nails done | Source: Midjourney
She smirked, leaning in conspiratorially.
“No trouble at all. I’ve been seeing someone new, a real dreamboat! Smart, funny, successful! And let me tell you, he knows how to treat a lady!”
“Good for you! What’s it like?”
Lily’s eyes sparkled. “Our relationship is UNREAL! I’ve never felt ANYTHING like this before! Not even James compares to him!”
James is Lily’s husband. I’d met him before when he came to her workplace.
A happy man | Source: Midjourney
“I guess I am an old-fashioned girl, ’cause I could never cheat on my husband, and I’m pretty sure he feels the same way,” I responded.
“Girl, that’s YOUR loss! You wouldn’t believe how romantic he is. Last week, he showed up with flowers just because he ‘felt like it.’ You also haven’t SEEN who I’m talking about, don’t even get me started on his dimples!”
“Uh huh…,” I replied, still not convinced that cheating on Adam would be a good idea.
An unsure woman | Source: Midjourney
“He’s also a manager at some company. Busy as hell, but he always makes time for me. He’s planning to meet me tonight at that cute boutique hotel across the street while telling his wife he’s working late so we can meet up. I’m counting down the minutes!”
I froze, a strange chill creeping up my spine.
“That’s sweet,” I managed to say, my voice faltering.
Lily didn’t notice…
An unhappy woman | Source: Midjourney
Dimples? My chest tightened. Adam has dimples. Adam is a manager. Adam was supposed to be working late tonight. I tried to shake off the uneasy feeling clawing at my chest. It had to be a coincidence…
“Well, do you have a picture of this ‘dream guy’? I’m curious,” I asked, hoping to quash my paranoia.
Lily grinned, pulling out her phone.
“Of course, darling! Look at this stud muffin!” she said, pulling out her phone.
My stomach dropped.
An upset woman looking at a phone | Source: Midjourney
There he was, MY Adam, smiling in the photo with his arm casually draped around Lily. I stared at the picture, willing it to be fake. Maybe I was seeing things. Maybe it was a doppelgänger. But deep down, I knew the truth.
“Wow,” I said, my voice trembling as I lost it inside but kept it together for appearances. “He’s…definitely a catch.”
“Right?” Lily gushed, completely unaware of my turmoil as she placed her phone, still unlocked, on the table.
A phone on a manicurist’s table | Source: Midjourney
I forced a laugh, but my mind was racing.
“Excuse me,” I said, standing abruptly. I grabbed her phone quickly when she wasn’t looking. “I need to use the restroom.”
Once inside, I splashed cold water on my face, trying to steady my breathing. Adam. My Adam. Cheating with Lily? I felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me. But as the shock subsided, another emotion took its place: fury.
I wasn’t going to let this slide. I started plotting, and my revenge was going to be served cold tonight at the hotel across the street.
An upset woman in the bathroom | Source: Midjourney
I quickly saved Lily’s husband’s number on my phone, as he was a big part of my revenge.
After I finished my appointment with Lily, I called her husband and told him everything I knew about her affair with Adam. He was as shocked as I was and quickly on board with getting revenge that very night!
Before heading to the hotel together later that night, I insisted we stop at the hardware store. James trailed behind me as I loaded our cart with cans of unwashable paint.
A woman with paint cans | Source: Midjourney
“What’s this for?” he asked, still trying to make sense of my erratic behavior.
“I figured we could mark the cheaters with it. You’ll see,” I said curtly.
When we arrived at the hotel, James and I stood outside the hotel with our “props,” ready to make the “couple’s” meeting unforgettable.
“Are we seriously doing this?” James asked.
“Watch me,” I said with determination as I marched straight through the hotel’s doors, paint cans in hand!
An upset woman outside a hotel with paint cans | Source: Midjourney
When I flung open the doors, I expected to catch Adam and Lily red-handed. But instead, I found myself face-to-face with an entrance full of balloons, streamers, and a massive banner that read: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY LOVE!”
My jaw dropped. Standing in the middle of the room were Lily and Adam, grinning like a pair of mischievous kids. Behind them were my parents, my sister, and a handful of close friends!
“Surprise!” everyone yelled.
People at a surprise party | Source: Midjourney
I stood frozen, the paint cans slipping from my hands. “What…is this?” I stammered.
Adam stepped forward, his dimples on full display.
“It’s your birthday party, sweetheart! We wanted to do something special for you seeing as you ALWAYS forget your birthday.”
“Wait,” I said, my brain struggling to catch up. “So…you’re not cheating?”
Adam laughed, pulling me into a hug.
“Of course not. Lily, James, and I have been planning this for weeks!”
A man at a party | Source: Midjourney
James smiled, and that’s when I finally noticed that he’d joined the others. He stood embracing his wife as Lily chimed in, “You should’ve seen your face! Priceless!”
I burst into tears, overwhelmed with relief and embarrassment. “I thought…”
Adam cupped my face, wiping away my tears.
“I know, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone that far with the plan. I thought you’d pick up what was happening when I booked your manicurist appointment, but you have to admit, this was worth it.”
It was…
A happy man | Source: Midjourney
The party was a smashing success, filled with laughter, cake, and heartfelt toasts! By the time we left the hotel the next morning, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world, albeit a little foolish for my earlier assumptions.
As we approached Adam’s car in the parking lot, we saw “CHEATER!!!!” scrawled across the windshield in bright red lipstick.
I groaned, covering my face. “I am so, so sorry.”
An embarrassed woman | Source: Midjourney
Adam just laughed.
“It’s washable, right? Besides, it’s a good story to tell our kids one day!”
As we cleaned the car together, I couldn’t help but laugh too. If nothing else, this would be a birthday I’d never forget!
A couple outside by a car | Source: Midjourney
Sadly, Adam’s wife isn’t the only woman to suspect her husband of cheating. Click here to read about a wife who believed her husband was cheating with their son’s fiancee only to discover a much harder truth.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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