The Secret That Started with a SmartWatch

My usually sweet and obedient daughter, Emma, suddenly started crying and screaming that she had to go to Disneyland.

She threatened to go on a hunger strike if I didn't take her.

Out of options, I had to take her. Her dad, Lucas, stayed in the city to work.

We were gone for two weeks.

I was exhausted, but Emma was still whining that she hadn't had enough fun and wanted to stay longer.

My boss had been calling me back to the office for days now.

I booked our flights home for the next day.

Then, late that night, I overheard Emma talking to her dad on her smartwatch.

"Daddy, is Miss Chloe feeling better? Mommy and I are coming home tomorrow.

I tried hard to stay longer, but she wouldn't stay!

You need to hurry and pack Miss Chloe's stuff out of our house before Mommy finds out!"

In the middle of the night, I rolled over and suddenly couldnt feel my daughter sleeping beside me.

I jolted awake and sat up abruptly.

The bedroom door was wide open. No lights were on in the suite.

In the quiet, I could just make out Emma's voice drifting from the living area outside our bedroom.

I frowned. What was she doing up so late?

I got out of bed and walked out. There she was, standing on the balcony, clutching her smartwatch.

"Daddy, is Miss Chloe feeling better? Does she like our house?"

"Mommy and I are coming home tomorrow. I wanted to stay longer so Miss Chloe could stay at our house more, but I couldn't convince Mommy. She's so annoying! She ruined everything! Otherwise, I could be home with you and Miss Chloe."

"Daddy, you have to pack Miss Chloe's things and get her out before Mommy gets home!"

My worry for my daughter vanished instantly, replaced by a feeling like I'd been plunged into an ice bath.

My head buzzed, and my blood felt like it froze solid.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

My beloved husband and my precious eight-year-old daughter were conspiring against me.

All for some woman named Chloe?

Miss Chloe?

Staring at the smartwatch in Emma's hand, it hit me. Miss Chloe was Emma's calligraphy teacher from her after-school program.

That smart watch was a gift from her.

Id told Lucas to return it immediately C a student shouldn't accept such an expensive gift from a teacher.

Lucas agreed, but Emma didnt want to.

She cried, saying it was Miss Chloe's reward for her winning first place in the class calligraphy contest.

Returning it would mean I didn't believe she deserved it.

Reluctantly, I added Miss Chloe on social media, met her for coffee, and gave her a bottle of expensive perfume as a thank-you.

I never imagined that smartwatch would become their secret hotline.

"Mommy?"

Emma stood up.Seeing me, panic flashed in her eyes.

I forced myself to steady my breathing and managed a fake smile. "Sweetie, what are you doing up so late?"

Like any kid caught lying, her eyes darted everywhere.

"I... I just missed Daddy. I called him. Mommy, I'm so sleepy. I need to go to bed."

She even faked a yawn.

As she tried to slip past me, but I stopped her.

My voice trembled, betraying my fear. "Do you love Mommy?"

Emma turned and hugged me, burying her face against me, just like she did when she was two or three.

"Emma loves Mommy the most! And Daddy too!"

Watching her little back disappear into the bedroom, my mind felt like two voices were wrestling.

One voice whispered it might be a misunderstanding, while the other screamed to look for proof.

Once planted, the seed of doubt only grows deeper.

I sat on the couch in the dark and clicked on Chloe's profile picture.

When I'd added her, I'd set it to "Restricted" C only direct messages, no posts.

This was the first time I'd looked at her feed.

The latest post was from today.

[Boyfriend is so clingy, what to do?]

The picture showed her lying on a bed in a sexy slip dress, and a man's arm draped possessively around her waist.

My hand started shaking as I stared at the screen. My breathing grew ragged.

Suddenly, a tear splashed onto the phone.

I threw the phone down, covered my face with my hands, and sobbed. The tears leaked through my fingers.

The background was painfully familiar.

The decor, the bed, even the photo of me on the nightstand were clearly visible.

And the arm belonged to Lucas C the man I'd loved for seven years and been married to for nine.

I never imagined infidelity would happen to me.

Just like I never imagined the man who claimed to love me more than life would betray me.

We were each other's first love.

When I was seventeen, we met in high school.

I was always a top student, while he was the kind of person teachers would say even slept in class and disturbed others.

During a class "study buddy" program, I was paired with Lucas to help him focus.

At first, I couldn't stand him.

He didn't just not study, he actively distracted me.

During lunch breaks, he'd trace circles on my back.

In gym class, when I lagged behind during runs, he'd run back just to tease me relentlessly.

Then, some guys from another class started hassling me after school because they thought I was cute.

Lucas charged in, fighting all four or five of them to protect me. He got his arm dislocated.

That day changed everything for me.

Later, his grades improved, but he was still nowhere near my level.

To be in the same city for college, he enrolled in a local state school.

That first Christmas break, he confessed his feelings, and we became a couple.

During winter break, his father had an affair and divorced, and his mother fell into depression.

After the new semester started, she took her own life..

Lucas locked himself in his room for three days straight.

When I finally saw him, he broke down sobbing in my arms.

He said he hated cheaters more than anything.

He said, "Joanna, you're my only family now. I, Lucas, swear on my life, I will love only you forever. My heart, my body, my soul C they belong only to you. If I ever break this, may I die a horrible death!"

After college, he met my parents.

They adored him.

We had a beautiful wedding.

A year later, I nearly died giving birth to our daughter.

Lucas named her Emma.

It stood for Lucas's Eternal Promise to Joanna.

We were the perfect little family.

After having a child, Lucas worked even harder.

Within two years, he was in management.

I got promoted too.

Life kept getting better, except Lucas started coming home later and later.

Often after midnight.

He'd always pull me close, murmuring, "Baby, I love you so much. We're forever."

It always made my heart flutter.

Friends and colleagues envied me for having such a devoted husband.

Its just that once this facade of affection was torn away, the truth turned out to be so utterly disgraceful.

I didn't scroll further through Chloe's posts.

A woman's intuition screamed that everything she posted was targeted, maybe only visible to me.

One post was proof enough.

No need for self-torture.

I drafted divorce papers that night and signed them.

At the airport, Lucas was waiting at arrivals, waving enthusiastically.

Emma sprinted straight into his arms.

Lucas hugged her, then pulled me into a tight embrace.

His voice was thick with fake care.

"Baby, why were you gone so long? Did you forget about your husband? I missed you like crazy!"

He leaned in for a kiss.

The thought of those lips kissing someone else countless times made me sick.

I subtly turned my head. "Not here, Lucas. Too many people."

Lucas pouted dramatically.

Emma giggled. "Daddy, you only miss Mommy! Don't you miss me?"

"Of course I miss my princess! You should wait till you see what I got you at home!"

I watched the father and daughter walking ahead, looking no different than usual.

If I hadn't overheard that call, would I have ever known?

The house was spotless when we got home.

My eyes immediately landed on the vase on the dining table.

"When did you get a new vase?"

Lucas hesitated, then recovered smoothly.

"Oh, I broke the old one a couple of days ago. So I had to replace it. What do you think? Looks good?"

I didn't answer.

I knew it wasn't his taste.

After all these years, Lucas never cared about home decor.

Someone else had been here. Why the old vase broke? What they might have done on that table...

I didn't want to imagine. It made me sick.

I stood at the bedroom door with my suitcase, frozen.

"What's wrong?" Lucas asked, coming up behind me.

I shook my head and went in.

The room looked exactly as I'd left it, except for fresh sheets and a new duvet cover.

If not for that photo, I might have convinced myself it was all a bad dream.

Lucas wrapped his arms around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder.

"God, I missed you, baby. Don't go away that long again, even for Emma. You have no idea how badly I slept without you. Look at these bags under my eyes!"

He tried to kiss my neck.

Just thinking about how not long ago he had kissed and held another woman, whispering sweet promises while clinging to herand now he was treating me this way againsuddenly made me sick.

I gently but firmly pushed him away.

Before, I mistook this for affection.

Now I knew. It was guilt and compensation for his betrayal. Hes trying to soothe his own conscience.

I looked at his face, with my fists clenching involuntarily.

Yeah, those dark circles are really noticeable.

Looked like in the few days Ive been away, that despicable couple has been working overtime to have sex.

His face was sallow. Lucky he hadn't died of exhaustion.

Lucas looked puzzled. "Jo? What's wrong? You look pale. Are you sick?"

He reached out to feel my forehead. I could tell the concern in his eyes. "No fever..."

I stepped back. "Just tired. I haven't slept well this whole trip."

Then I added, "My parents said they miss Emma. Can you drop her off later?"

Lucas nodded. "I'll make it quick. You get some rest."

He pecked my cheek quickly.

As soon as he turned, I cleaned my cheek hard, fighting the urge to vomit.

Once they were gone, I scanned the bedroom.

Lucas had cleaned up well. There were no obvious traces.

But Chloe went to such lengths to invade my home, she wouldn't leave without planting some evidence for me to find.

I glanced at the perfectly smooth bed. Gripping the mattress, I heaved it up.

There it was. Tucked under the edge, there was a tiny scrap of white lace panties.

My fingers dug into the mattress so hard they nearly pierced through it at that moment, fury completely overpowered the heartache.

Who could imagine finding another woman's intimate wear in my own bed?

I took a picture with my phone.

Then I found a ziplock bag and sealed it inside.

Just as I finished, my mom called.

Lucas hadn't dropped Emma off.

They'd been gone over an hour. Where were they?

I knew the answer, but I called him to confirm.

He answered quickly.

"Lucas, Mom just called. You didn't take Emma there. Where are you?"

It was noisy on his end.

His voice was calm, too calm.

"Oh, sorry, forgot to tell you. Emma's calligraphy class. The teacher called suddenly, said there were new materials today. We're at the center. Emma's right here, I'll put her on."

Emma's sweet voice came through.

"Mommy! I can't go to Grandma's today. Miss Chloe is teaching new stuff! There's an evening session too. Daddy and I might be home late. Don't worry!"

On my other phone, I saw Chloe's post from three minutes ago.

[So many people said we look like a family today! ]

The picture showed Chloe crouching, with Lucas and Emma kissing her cheeks.

Now, hearing their lies...

New materials?

Evening session?

I clenched my teeth so tightly that even when the taste of blood filled my mouth, I didnt let go.

I couldn't understand. If a man couldn't control his urges, fine.

But why would my own flesh and blood, the child I carried for nine months, betray me too?

What was so wrong with me that my daughter would happily help her father deceive me for his mistress?

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I asked Emma softly:

"Emma, we're mother and daughter. Would you ever lie to me for someone else?"

Even now, a sliver of hope remained for the daughter I'd loved since birth.

If she chose me, I could forgive the past. When we divorced, I'd fight for her custody.

Reality slapped me hard again.

Emma answered without hesitation.

"Emma loves Mommy best! I'd never lie to you! Okay, Mommy, gotta go to class! Bye!"

The dial tone buzzed in my ear.

I clenched my fist, tears streaming down my face, a low, bitter laugh escaping me.

My heart felt utterly desolate.

Thinking of everything I'd poured into this family, into Emma... it was pure irony.

If Lucas's betrayal brought rage and heartache,

Emma's brought icy despair.

This home, decorated by my own hands, now felt permeated with their sickening scent.

I couldn't stay another second.

I grabbed my still-packed suitcase, left the divorce papers on the table, drove to a hotel, and checked in.

I also took Chloe's panties, mailed them directly to her workplace, and sent screenshots of her posts to the after-school program's director.

The note read: Your instructor, Chloes panties were left at my house and has already been mailed to the school.

From discovering Lucas's affair to walking out of the home I'd lived in for nine years C sixteen years of love ended in less than a day.

When I first found out, I thought about screaming, hitting him, demanding why he lied.

I wanted to sob until my heart broke.

I even questioned myself relentlessly.

What did I do wrong? Why did Lucas and Emma both prefer Chloe?

Eventually, I realized.

I shouldn't punish myself for someone else's sins.

Maybe Lucas's true nature finally surfaced after all these years.

As for Emma, I can only say genetics are just too powerfulshes inherited every bit of her fathers traits.

Though, if we're talking genetics, it probably started with Lucas's own father.

I kept my phone on, waiting for Lucas to find the papers and call.

It wasn't until 8 PM that his call came.

He sounded breathless, voice thick with fake concern.

"Jo? Are you feeling any better?"

"I dropped Emma at your parents' place after class. Work stuff came up... gotta work late tonight. I... mmm..."

I heard it clearly. Lucas's soft groan.

After so many years together, countless nights, I knew exactly what that sound meant.

So...

He couldn't even wait.

He took our daughter along for his daytime date.

Now, he couldn't even spare a moment to see the divorce papers. He couldn't even let go of her while lying to me on the phone.

I gripped the phone, my heart feeling shredded, but kept my voice steady. "What?"

"Nothing... just hiccuped."

I heard rustling C Lucas pushing Chloe's head away.

Chloe kissed him.

Lucas, startled by her boldness, shoved her off. His voice was flustered, guilty.

"Jo, if you're hungry, order something. Take care. Gotta get back to work. Bye."

He hung up. I pictured him immediately dragging Chloe back.

I sat by the hotel window, replaying our life together.

Actually, even a couple of years ago, during sex, he'd mentioned it more than once.

"Jo, your skin is so delicate. I'm always afraid to be too rough, afraid I'll hurt you."

I'd blush and ask if he felt unsatisfied.

He'd hold me close, his voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Jo, I love you. I cherish you."

So he didn't rot overnight. The idea was planted long ago. Or maybe he'd already tasted that wild abandon back then.

I didn't want to think about it anymore.

All these years, he touched her, then came home and touched me.

It was vile.

Pretending I wasn't devastated by sixteen years together was impossible.

Hearing him with someone else felt like the sky crashing down.

The pain was suffocating. I even thought about ending it.

But clarity returned. How stupid was that?

My death would mean nothing.

Lucas might grieve briefly, then dive deeper into his affair with Chloe.

He might even marry her.

I'd be sacrificing myself to pave their way.

The only ones truly destroyed would be my parents.

I watched until the sky lightened, the sun rising.

A new day.

I got ready and went to work early.

The divorce would happen. Work and life had to go on.

Two weeks off meant mountains of paperwork.

My colleague Anna brought files for signing and teased, "How was Disney, Director Jo? You look wiped! And your eyes are puffy?"

I touched my eyes, forcing a weak smile. "Just tired. Haven't slept well."

Anna patted my shoulder. "Lunch is on me! We'll get something good."

I shook my head.

"Come on! Tell me about Disney! I've never been. Gotta convince my boyfriend to take me someday."

I agreed.

About half an hour later, my phone rang urgently.

Lucas.

He hadn't come home last night.

Timing it out... Chloe probably got called into the director's office about the panties, and he just found out.

Hence the call.

Answering, I was morbidly curious what lie he'd spin now.

His voice was frantic, panicked.

"Jo! I can explain! It's not what you think! Chloe and I... there's nothing!"

"That picture? Emma begged us to take it. Yesterday was Chloe's birthday. We ran into her at the center, she hadn't eaten, Emma said she was hungry... so we grabbed a bite together."

I couldn't believe it. Even now, he lied.

Did he think I was an idiot who swallowed every word?

I guess I had misjudged him completely.

"Oh? What a coincidence! And the panties? Did she just 'accidentally' leave those too?"

"Jo, please! Don't ask! Please! We have so much history. You have to believe me! No matter what, I love you. I've never stopped loving you for a second. We have Emma... we're a family... Jo, you're my love, my everything... Let's just forget this ever happened? Please, Jo? Please..."

His voice cracked, turning into sobs.

He begged, pleaded, over and over, asking "Please?"

Just like when he was eighteen, beaten bloody protecting me from those guys.

I'd been frozen, tears pouring down.

He'd used his one good arm to wipe my tears.

His face white with pain, he'd whispered,

"Jo, stop crying, okay?"

"You're killing me, seeing you cry. Please stop?"

"Jo, I'm fine. Not dying. I won, chased them off. Anyone messes with you, I'll handle them."

Looking at his battered face, I'd asked tearfully, "Lucas, what if the person hurting me... is you?"

His trembling voice continued now, thick with fear and panic.

I repeated my teenage question: "Lucas, what if the person hurting me... is you?"

Silence on the line. Only heavy breathing.

He remembered.

Finally, he spoke, firm. "Jo, I won't let us end."

"The divorce papers are on the table. Sign them."

I hung up.

Clutching my chest, I tilted my head back, refusing to let the tears fall.

Even after all this pain, each wave felt like being flayed alive.

How many sixteen-year chunks does one life have?

Lucas occupied most of mine, holding my best memories.

Now, I learned those memories were rotten, blackened, foul.

How do you accept that?

I, Joanna, am not someone who clings when it's over.

Even if tearing free leaves me bleeding and broken.

I'll treat it as rebirth.