I noticed my wife in a park with a half-her-age man. I was devastated by that image. I was shocked when I learned his identity.
I married Julia 15 years ago. I never suspected her of hiding anything all these years. Unfortunately, one terrible day changed everything.
Julia stood at the park with others. Her man hugged her tightly. He was practically half her age. “How could she hurt me? Was my love fading? Did I not please her? These thoughts flooded my mind.
I didn’t think this was happening and didn’t want to snoop on her. Unfortunately, she seemed suspicious lately. She would come home late from work and say she was overwhelmed at work and go to bed when I asked why.
I first trusted her.
My thoughts changed after one night. That night was one of those rare occasions when years of togetherness and happy memories vanished in an instant. I was devastated.
It started when Julia arrived late from work that night. I heard her on the phone, but it wasn’t weird anymore because she did it often. Not work-related. Not about me either. Julia said, “I love you too. I hope we see each other more. I’m terrified of my hubby. How he’ll respond if he knows about you is unknown.
“Who was he? Was he in her office? Should I query Julia? I wondered. But tragically, I couldn’t find the courage to make a decision. Maybe, I was too terrified of our relationship ending abruptly. So I avoided it. But it happened again the next day.
She went home late and used her phone. I looked at her in disappointment and anguish as she texted and smiled. “Why did you hurt me, Julia?” Cursed myself. But I decided to find out who he was that day. I couldn’t stand this hidden man talking to my wife. My patience waned.
So I followed Julia to work. Instead of going to work, she drove to a park. I tried to keep my head behind the steering wheel in my car.
I saw a young man hug Julia suddenly. After some while, they moved to a bench and sat.
Julia received a parcel from the man. I saw Julia cry. Was he proposing to her? Did the box contain a ring? It occurred to me.
I lost control of my emotions. In rage, I left the car and approached the boy. Stupid, you touched my wife! I yelled and grabbed his collar.
His bewildered expression suggested he was innocent and I was bothering him. It infuriated me further. Fist clinched, I punched his face. “You deserve that!” He got screamed at.
Julia then intervened. Calm down, James. Public place. You must behave!” She advised me to calm down.
“Calm down? Are you sure?! Then why are you cheating on me? This with a man half your age? I glared at her.
“I’m not cheating on you, James,” she sweetly remarked. I no longer found that voice gentle. I assumed it was a cheater hiding her secrets.
Julia, don’t lie to me! You’ve been on my radar for days. I heard you say, ‘I love you,’ on the phone. He was this man, right? Yell at her.
Julia was crying. I can’t believe it, James! We married 15 years ago. How can you think that? She gazed at me innocently.
This time, I wouldn’t believe her innocence. I carefully held her hand and stared at her. “Why are you here instead of your office? Explain that?” Asked her.
She looked pitiful and handed me the boy’s present. “What now?” Furious, I said.
“I think this will put your doubts to rest, James,” she said.
I opened the box to calm down. As expected, it had a ring, but not an engagement or proposal ring. Rusted and dusty, it looked like an old ring. An envelope was underneath. It included a letter.
I opened and read the letter. That’s when I realized my error. Kevin was Julia’s best friend’s son. Claire wanted Julia to care for Kevin after her best friend Clarie was afflicted with cancer when he was five. Julia was unaware of Claire’s final wish.
Kevin was studying abroad and returned home recently. Just days earlier, he sent Julia Claire’s last desire. They’d met since then.
Julia often made dinner for him after work, so she came home late. She planned to tell me everything soon, but I made a mess first.
Overall, I realized I was incorrect to question my wife. I hugged Kevin and her. Julia and I adopted Kevin, and I apologized to them. Now he’s our legal son.
What can this story teach us?
Don’t jump to conclusions. Julia’s park appearance with a little boy made James distrust her. His suspicion led him to suspect her of cheating without explaining why.
Relationships are built on trust. James would not have embarrassed Julia and Kevin at the park if he had trusted her.
Tell your friends about this. It may cheer them up and motivate good deeds.