When my daughter casually talked about inviting someone I didn’t know to her birthday party, I had no idea it would change my life. That moment was the start of a shocking truth I never expected.
My husband, Jake, and I have been together for ten years and married for seven. He has always been kind and hardworking, though sometimes forgetful. I never had a reason to doubt him—until recently, when things started to feel different.
Earlier this year, Jake lost his job. While he’s been looking for a new one, I’ve been working extra hours to support us. It’s been hard, but we’ve made it work. Our five-year-old daughter, Ellie, has loved spending more time with her dad. To her, Jake is a superhero. Everything seemed normal—until Ellie said something that changed everything.
One evening, while we were making her birthday guest list, she asked me a question that froze me in place.
“Mommy, can I invite the pretty lady who visits Daddy when you’re at work?”