My Cheating Wife Was Happy When I Walked Into The Conference Hall With A Bouquet Of Flowers During

Once, I was happy in complete ignorance and contentment, naively believing that my marriage was strong. But reality shattered my illusions; it turned out that my wife, Donna, was unfaithful and deceptive. My name is John Miller, but my friends call me Jay. I devote myself to physical training, spending five days a week in the gym. At 6'3" tall and 192 lbs, I prioritize self-care. Eight years ago, I made a bold decision to leave the corporate world and create my own successful company. Meanwhile, Donna continues to work in a well-known company, one of the 50 largest.

Donna has devoted an impressive 24 years of her life to the same company. She started her career as an OT analyst, joining the ranks of employees just a month after her wedding. About five years ago, she moved to the position of an instructor in a training unit. In order to keep up with the ever-changing technological landscape, her workplace obliges her to attend at least 20 days of educational programs annually. At 46, Donna looks stunningly beautiful. At 5'8" tall and 118 lbs, she does not meet the expectations of women who have given birth to two children.

Every morning at dawn, she laces up her sneakers and joins a group of six other women from her neighborhood. Together, they go for a six-mile run, taking on an invigorating challenge. Now, our daughter, Emily, is 22 years old, and she is proud to graduate from Florida State University. Following in her mother's footsteps, she became a dedicated first-grade teacher in Naples. Running is an activity that unites our family because Emily joined her mother's running group at the tender age of 14. I am very pleased to see that she appreciates the beer I brew, my hobby. Moreover,

she found a beer club in Naples and gladly became a member of it. Whenever possible, I'm happy to attend these meetings with her. As for our son, Kent, he is currently a 21-year-old graduate of the University of Florida who continues his educational path with passion and determination. My son is an excellent student who really wants to work in my business in the future, but I made it clear to him that he must first gain valuable experience in corporate America for at least five years before I would consider hiring him. I firmly believe that the experience

of working in the real world is very important for his growth and development. My wife, Donna, does not like beer and believes that its aroma in our house is very unpleasant. Whenever I start brewing a new batch of beer, I definitely plan it for the duration of Donna's trips. She is currently in Dallas, and this gives me a great opportunity to create a refined English brown ale. Life seemed to have reached its peak, but I didn't know yet that significant changes were looming on the horizon. Last Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., Bobby, a member of my

beer club, contacted me and asked if I could meet him at the airport. Naturally, I agreed without hesitation. Passing into the baggage claim area, I suddenly saw three people who turned out to be colleagues of Donna. Curiosity made me wonder why Donna wasn't among them, so I took out my mobile phone and called her on the service line. It was unusual to call her at work, as I usually contact her on her personal mobile phone. To my surprise, the answering machine in her office greeted me with the following message: "Hello, you have called Donna Miller's

answering machine. I won't be in the office in Dallas until Wednesday; I'll be teaching classes." Donna's answering machine continued, "I won't be home on Thursday and Friday. Please leave a message on the answering machine, and I will call you back on Monday." Noticing Bobby approaching, I headed towards him. I told Bobby about the situation I was in and my complete confusion. Bobby suggested that I contact Steve, another member of our beer club, who, as it turned out, works as a detective in the local police department, and get his opinion. Before contacting Steve, I decided to

call Donna. When she picked up the phone, I, trying to maintain the appearance of normality, greeted her and said that I just wanted to hear her voice. "I'm looking forward to the moment when I can hug you. My flight on Friday should depart as early as possible, and I am full of anticipation that I will finally be able to fall asleep in your loving arms. Will you come to the airport?" "Yes, I have to stay and do my duties. It would be unfair to neglect them. I love you, and I'll see you on Friday." It

was the first time Donna cheated on me. Despite the late hour, I decided to call Steve. Over a beer, we discussed our upcoming meeting for a few minutes. "Steve, I suspect that Donna may be cheating on me, and I need advice." Steve responded sympathetically, expressing his willingness to help me in any way. "I think Donna is cheating on me because when Bobby asked me to meet him at the airport, I ran into three of Donna's colleagues who were leaving with their luggage. It looks like they've been with Donna in Dallas all week. Moreover, the answering

machine in her office clearly stated that she was in Dallas until Wednesday and on vacation until Monday. But when I asked Donna about it, she replied that she would teach classes until Friday." Steve patiently listened to my story without interrupting and then asked how often Donna goes on business trips, to which I replied, "About twice a quarter." "Did she travel with the same group all the time on every trip?" "No, I don't know, but the duration of each class she attended was five days." "Yes, it is." Remember, she always left on Saturday morning and returned

on Friday evening. What does she usually do when she arrives home? She usually feels tired and takes a long bath before going to bed. On Saturday mornings, she starts her day by washing clothes. In addition, we often go to dinner and engage in intimate activities to welcome her home. Steve realized that something suspicious was going on and suggested that I contact Frank Jones, who held a high position and could have more information. I thanked Steve for his valuable advice and said I would contact Frank the next morning as soon as the new day rose. Frank

Jones suddenly rang the bell; apparently, Steve took the initiative to contact Frank and ask him to contact me. After recounting the same story as in the conversation with Steve, I moved on to Frank's questions. After a short pause, Frank asked the thought-provoking question: "You have been happily married for over 24 years; are you really ready to reveal the truth?" Intrigued, I asked him about the reasons for such a question. Frank cautiously replied that, based on his experience in such situations, most marriages end in divorce. "You have to answer the following questions for yourself: how much

information do you really want to get? How far into the past do you want us to look? What is your budget for this investigation? Are you ready to work with the information we discover?" I was shocked by the situation and sat in silence before finally speaking. "Frank, I need to know every last detail: when, where, and with whom, please. As far away as possible. I'm willing to lay out whatever it takes to find out the truth. If I have been deceived, I want to understand to what extent." In this regard, we decided that Frank should

contact his reliable colleague, a private detective from Dallas, who could help in studying Donna's biography. In addition, we would instruct one of his team members to study the training schedule. They instructed me to contact three teachers whom I saw on my way from the airport. While I was waiting for their answer, I had to carefully inspect the house for any features, not knowing exactly what to look for and where to start. I have so far excluded the living room, dining room, kitchen, Emily and Kent's room from the search, having decided to start searching from Donna's

chest of drawers. I didn't find anything unusual among its contents; everything seemed familiar. But after opening the closet door and seeing a lot of boxes, I decided to switch my attention to the bathroom. Unfortunately, there was no hidden information from Donna in the bathroom. I went back to her closet, determined to find at least some clue. Starting with hanging clothes and carefully sorting through all the boxes of shoes, I searched for anything that might seem strange or arouse suspicion. Despite thoroughly searching our bedroom, the guest bedroom, the study, the garage, and the attic, I still

did not understand anything and did not move towards understanding the situation. Around 5:00 p.m., Frank finally arrived and quickly installed surveillance cameras in all bedrooms, the office, and the kitchen. In addition, he installed a voice recorder. Having taken all security measures, we went to the airport, where we eventually found Donna's car. The trunk was equipped with a GPS system, and a voice recorder was discreetly installed under the front seat. Frank and I drank light ale at the house, and he brought me up to date. The schedule of Donna's classes had a different duration, from 3

to 5 days, depending on the venue. For example, classes in Dallas were designed for 3 days, starting on Monday and ending on Wednesday. Tom, Paul, and Bev flew out on Sunday afternoon and returned on Wednesday evening. The necessary materials for classes are delivered to the specified location a week before the scheduled class, but teachers are not responsible for the placement and transportation of teaching staff. At each point, there are special employees who are responsible for the placement process. As I sat there trying to regain control of my anger, my thoughts turned to my father, who

always talked about the importance of keeping anger in check. He believed that clarity of thought is achieved only when anger is under control. Annoyed, I burst into the kitchen and unleashed curses. "She lied to me all the time; she should be punished for this!" Turning to Frank, he asked if I had found anything in the course of my search. Unfortunately, I replied that I didn't find anything suspicious. The only thing we noticed was that Donna often washed her clothes. We discussed this issue and eventually came to the decision that Frank would intercept her bag at

the airport, and I would look for a way to turn off the washing machine so that she could not immediately start washing. Just before he left, Frank told me that his contact in Dallas was at Donna's hotel, and he would talk to him in the morning before calling me. After Frank left, I realized that I couldn't sleep in her bedroom and preferred to sleep on Kent's bed. Needless to say, I slept very little. Trying to keep to the usual routine of the day and distract myself, I went to the office. We agreed to meet at

my house on the same day. Frank showed up at 2:00, carrying a bundle of documents with him. The report from our employee in Dallas came by email with attached photos. Frank took out a photograph of six people gathered at a table in a restaurant. There were three women and three men in the group, all sitting in pairs. Frank asked curiously, "Do you happen to recognize any of these people?" I stared at the photo for a while before replying, "The only one I can identify is Donna." "See better." He handed me a separate photo of each

person. I studied their faces again in silence, taking a few minutes to delve into the details. Handing Frank one of the photos, I said that the person depicted on it seemed strangely familiar to me, but I could not understand where I had seen him before. While we were enjoying our meal, Frank shared some intriguing information: video cameras were installed on all floors of the hotel, facing the corridors. We started studying the next series of pictures, which depicted our group leaving the restaurant, entering the elevator, and eventually disembarking on the seventh floor. Interestingly, the women went

to room 707 and the men went to room 799. On Friday morning at 10:29, photos showed two men leaving room 709; then pictures were taken of them exiting the elevator, walking down the hall, and exiting through the front door. These pictures gave the impression that there was a friendly or professional relationship between them, not a romantic relationship. According to Frank, they went to a nearby restaurant for lunch and both paid the bill on their own. After that, they returned to the hotel, where additional photos showed them carrying their luggage from the room to the elevator.

Then each of them went to the reception desk to complete the eviction procedure. With a serious expression on his face, Frank turned to meet my gaze and asked, "Jay, I have to ask you again: are you absolutely sure you want to reveal all the details?" Without flinching, I confidently replied, "Yes." Frank hesitated for a moment, maintaining fixed eye contact, and only then continued. While he was talking, I was given another folder with information about the situation. I won't go into the details of the conversation, but I found out that agents from Dallas entered rooms 707

and 799 together with the cleaners, diligently recording their every step. It was discovered that rooms 707 and 799 were connected by an internal door. To collect evidence, the sheets were removed and sent to the laboratory for DNA analysis. In addition, the used glasses were carefully packed in bags for fingerprints and the garbage was thoroughly examined. According to the agent, there was a strong smell of intimacy in the rooms, and traces of use and stains were found on all four beds. But in order to determine whether Donna took an active part or just watched, it is

necessary to wait for the results of laboratory tests. To be honest, it's hard to believe otherwise, since we both know that she most likely participated in these actions. It is unpleasant to see that the woman I married behaves deceptively and unfaithfully. "What are we going to do next?" I asked. "She should be back tonight." "Let's start by turning off the washing machine." We moved it away from the wall and cut one of the wires connected to the motor. I believe Frank offered me this simple task, giving me time to recover. Back in the kitchen, Frank

offered to take a DNA sample from me and asked if I could find a comb with hair from each of the children. I sat down and asked, "Why do you suspect that the children may not be mine? I don't understand at all. You wanted full transparency, didn't you?" "This is just one of the tasks on our checklist I'm used to. Before suggesting, we need to collect a piece of hair before the first haircut. We only need one strand from each person, right?" He confirmed that this would be enough. Frank carefully put my sample in a

package marked number one, then Ken in package number two, and Emily in package number three. We managed to take a strand from Donna's comb, which we immediately numbered as four. Tomorrow morning, these samples will be sent to the laboratory. Frank had a contact at the airport who would attempt to intercept Dana's luggage, potentially causing a delay in her return home due to the necessary procedures related to the missing baggage claim. After resolving these issues, our conversation shifted to how I could act normally around Donna. Would I be able to warmly greet her at home, embrace

and kiss her, patiently listen to her stories about the trip, invite her to dinner, and engage in private activities with her? How long could I keep up the charade convincingly? Frank mentioned that his team needed time to collect and analyze evidence, warning that it might take several months to fully understand the consequences of Donna's actions. Could I remain calm during this time? I assured him of my commitment to uncovering the truth. Frank suggested I go on a three- or four-day business trip out of town, allowing Donna to relax her guard. He hinted at the possibility

of her making mistakes during this time. As we pondered ways to gather information discreetly, I suggested her briefcase as a potential target for surveillance. Frank acknowledged that this wasn't a perfect solution but better than nothing. He left a bug for me to attach to her briefcase. Later, as he prepared to leave, he reminded me to check for any liquid stains on Donna's panties if I had the chance. Later on the terrace, I contemplated Donna's upcoming laundry routine but found nothing to doubt her intentions. Just before dawn, Frank called to inform me that Dana's luggage had

been successfully delivered to the laboratory. He once again emphasized the importance of staying composed when Donna finally arrived. Her usual fatigue from travel was compounded by disappointment over the airline's mishandling of her belongings. She was particularly unhappy about the two pairs of trousers she had recently purchased that were missing; however, she mentioned that everything else could be replaced and essential items were safely stored in her carry-on luggage. Seeking comfort, she embraced me tightly, expressing her love and joy at being back home. I hugged her back gently, expressing my own affection. After some tender moments, she

headed upstairs to take a relaxing bath. Meanwhile, I discreetly attached a bug to her briefcase and settled in front of the TV, reflecting on the brief yet cherished moments we had just shared. Recalling Donia's arrival, I couldn't shake the feeling of deep love emanating from her despite her travel weariness and slight dissatisfaction with the luggage situation. Comparing her efforts with mine, I realized the need to improve and match her level of dedication. Determined to do better, I set aside any doubts and prepared for bed, where we would find comfort in each other's arms. It seemed

Donia had overslept on Saturday morning as she hadn't tended to the laundry before her shower. While waiting for her, I found myself involuntarily examining her underwear and the basket of dirty laundry, feeling a twinge of discomfort at invading her privacy. Despite my lack of expertise in such matters, I found nothing unusual. After her bath, I went downstairs, made coffee, fetched the newspaper, and patiently awaited Don's appearance. As I poured my third cup of coffee, she entered the kitchen with a serene expression, wrapped in a bathrobe, and greeted me with a cheerful, "Good morning, sleepyhead." When

Don appeared, I noticed her readiness to conquer the day. "How about a cup of coffee?" I offered. She smiled gratefully and replied, "Yes, please! I'd love to have a cup. It seems I should lose luggage more often if it results in such a delightful vacation." After our shared breakfast, I went outside to attend to my own tasks. A few hours later, Dawn returned and mentioned her plans to visit the grocery store. Politely declining her offer, I replied, "No, thanks." While she was away, I planned to organize and transfer a batch of English Brown Ale from

primary to secondary fermentation. During dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, we engaged in lively conversation, sharing our impressions of the past week and discussing upcoming business. I spoke willingly about my recent trip to St. Louis, and she expressed her happiness at being back home. She admitted that her trips were exhausting, so she valued the opportunity to relax at home. She also mentioned that if her luggage was still missing by Wednesday, she'd go shopping with me after work to find suitable replacements. In all honesty, I hoped they wouldn't find out about this and that I could

finally go to the store, except for those trousers I'd worn for ages. I grinned and continued sharing details of my latest batch of English Brown Ale. In the end, we decided to call it a night, and I packed up two cases of my homemade beer before heading off on my trip to St. Louis. Though the journey lasted over eight hours, I sincerely enjoyed driving, as it allowed me solitude for reflection. Typically, my thoughts revolved around my business, but on this trip, they were solely focused on Dawn. Lost in thought, I was surprised to realize that

four hours had already passed. Dialing Frank's number, I decided to get down to business. "Frank," I asked, "tell me honestly, what does your intuition say?" After a moment's pause, Frank replied, "I've discussed this with Joe and Dallas, and we're certain that Dana has been having numerous affairs for quite some time." He elaborated on their observations, indicating an undeniable closeness between Dana and others in the group. Frank's last words emphasized the need to make a decision regarding Dawn and the other members of the group. Following that, I contacted my lawyer, Michael Davidson, the best divorce lawyer

in the state. Briefing him, he assured me that Dave Ford would contact me soon. After settling into my hotel room, I called Tanya to inform her of my safe arrival, then confirmed plans for a golf game with Fred around 9:30 p.m. When Frank called to check on me, I informed him that I'd passed his name to my lawyer. Frank found it amusing and mentioned Dave Ford's intimidating reputation. Dawn approached, expressing fatigue and her desire for resolution. I assured her I was ready to confront the situation. On Tuesday, I spent the entire day with Fred on

the golf course. Around 1:00 on Wednesday afternoon, Frank called to inquire about my schedule. I informed him I was free until the end of the day and planned to return home on Thursday morning. At approximately 2:00 p.m., Dave Ford contacted me, and I briefed him on the current situation. Relieved, I received his approval and discussed potential next steps. Our conversation shifted to gathering evidence during the upcoming meeting and discussing my ability to maintain the facade of a normal life for several months. Dave informed me about the possibility of a quick no-fault divorce in the state

of Georgia, suggesting that accusing her of adultery would be more advantageous, especially since our children were already adults. After further discussion with him, I realized I needed to carefully consider my approach to divorce. On Wednesday evening at 9:00, there was a sudden knock on my door. To my surprise, Steven and Frank were standing there. I immediately inquired about their unexpected visit, to which Frank replied that he had some unpleasant news to share in person. Steve didn't know the purpose of their visit, but Frank thought it would be helpful for me to have a friend present

during the conversation. I decided to have Steve stay and listen to the news. I froze in shock, contemplating the seriousness of their visit. Despite the gravity of the situation, I wanted Steve to remain seated. I met Frank's eyes as he delivered the news: the test results confirmed Donia's active participation. Traces of all six individuals' activities were found on one bed, with DNA evidence implicating Donia. I was stunned, struggling to comprehend the depth of the situation in a moment. Of disbelief, I closed my eyes, attempting to regain my composure and press the rising anger within me.

When I finally mustered the courage to open my eyes, I expressed my disbelief at the unimaginable truth. Frank, with a slight cough, revealed the unthinkable: two of these men were the biological fathers of our children, Kent and Emily. The news hit me like a ton of bricks, and I erupted with a demand for an explanation. It was inconceivable that neither Kent nor Emily were my biological children, let alone that my wife had been engaged in a long-term affair throughout our marriage. Frank accurately assessed the severity of the situation, acknowledging the profound consequences it would have.

My once perfect world was crumbling, and I struggled to navigate the turmoil as my emotions fluctuated from shock to anger to determination. Steve and Frank provided much-needed support; their presence helped anchor me as I grappled with the overwhelming revelations. With the necessary evidence in hand, we strategized the most effective measures to hold them accountable. We discussed the option of a no-fault divorce, which would expedite the process and spare us the public humiliation of a drawn-out court battle. Despite my initial desire for a contentious legal battle, Steve, Frank, and Dave convinced me of the practicality and

efficiency of a no-fault divorce. Ultimately, we gathered in Frank's conference room to discuss our next steps, including obtaining additional information, determining the best course of action, and seeking justice. Curiously, I asked Frank if Don had been involved in any suspicious activities while I was away in St. Louis. Frank replied that Don had done nothing wrong and had not engaged in any inappropriate phone conversations. Continuing the conversation, Frank mentioned that we were able to trace the actions of a group of six people over the past five years. Interestingly, two members of the group consistently booked adjacent

rooms, though they weren't always the same individuals. While most often all six people were present in the room, there were instances when the composition of the group changed. At times, one woman appeared with three men, forming a group of at least four people. I didn't expect such a development, and my despair began to show as I hit the table with force, accusing it of cheating. I demanded that Frank thoroughly investigate the group of six, including Don, and uncover all the details. It became apparent that my knowledge of the situation was limited, and I wanted to

know their marital status, the duration of their relationships, and whether the children of these women were fathered by their spouses. Additionally, I needed information about their employment, residence, and other relevant details that could be gleaned from Don's schedule. With Don's schedule in hand, Frank obtained information about upcoming classes and their locations. This allowed him to establish contact and develop a plan, including the installation of cameras and bugs in hotel rooms. Frank understood that evidence collected in this manner couldn't be used in court, but his goal was to achieve a guilt-free divorce, which required obtaining credible

information. An interesting detail in Dana's calendar was noted: she had exactly three classes scheduled before our upcoming 25th wedding anniversary celebration. It struck me that our anniversary would mark the end of our communication. I resolved not to participate in any celebrations with her, as her gift would be unappreciated. This moment would mark the end of my role as a deceived spouse and the beginning of her facing the consequences of her deceitful actions, spanning more than 24 years. A week passed, and we gathered in Dave's conference room, eagerly awaiting news from Frank. As I settled in,

I reflected on the incredible journey we had embarked on together. This group, known as the gang of six, included individuals from various states, along with Don, who had been brought together over two decades ago during a training program for new employees of the same organization. When the day of Don's last class arrived, Frank, Steve, Dave, and I convened, ready to hear the latest updates. Don and Henry had occupied adjoining rooms in Washington, while the other members of the group were dispersed on different floors of the hotel. It was discovered that Don and Henry, being in

adjacent rooms, slept together in the same room at the same time. Despite spending time with colleagues during the day, they gradually dispersed to their rooms by 10:00 in the evening, returning only after 2:00 in the morning, except for Thursday evening, when all six spent the entire night together in adjacent rooms. Their interactions outside the rooms resembled those of professional colleagues discussing accommodation, meals, games, performances, and news about their children's activities. After 24 years of living together, concealing their secrets had become second nature. With the aid of Frank's agents posing as cleaning crew members, hair samples,

fingerprints, and other evidence were discreetly collected from each participant for further analysis. Thanks to the presence of irrefutable DNA evidence, we successfully uncovered the truth: George turned out to be Emily's father, and Chuck was Kent's biological father. Don faced difficulties associated with unprotected sexual intercourse with many partners, leaving her unable to determine the true father of her children. In Richmond, Virginia, George C. Thomas, married for 24 years, had two adult children living in the same neighborhood. Similarly, Henry S. King of Little Rock, Arkansas, was married for 23 years and had twin sons who turned 21.

On the other hand, Charles K. Nixon from Columbia, South Carolina, tied the knot with his high school sweetheart and lived in marriage for 25 years, resulting in a son. Chuck is on the verge of revealing the truth that he has another son in Miami, Florida. Joyce D. Hopkins, happily married, is preparing to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary and is a proud mother of a 23-year-old son and a 21-year-old daughter, Katherine G. Williams. From Knoxville, Tennessee, has been married for 23 years and is the mother of two daughters and a son. All the members of this

friendly company called The Gang of Six have been married for more than 23 years and seem to be happy with each other, as Chuck once believed, until he learned about the painful reality of his wife's infidelity. We are interested in whether any of these three men could be the father of Joyce or Katherine's children. It is very likely that at least one of them is the biological father, and their spouses probably want to know the answer too. Frank hopes to find out by next Wednesday, although I'm not sure about his plans. During a brief meeting

at Dave's office on Wednesday, Frank informed us that classes in Orlando last only three days, which is quite surprising. Can you believe it? Next Thursday and Friday, Don plans to spend time before our anniversary. Her complete lack of respect for me is indisputable; she will be responsible for the consequences. When I came to my senses a little, Frank reminded me that I'm not the only spouse whose children have different biological fathers. Henry is the father of both Joyce's daughter and Katherine's son. Katherine has two daughters whose fathers are George and Chuck. Surprisingly, Joyce is the

only woman among all who has at least one child whose father is her husband. Henry is the biological father of Joyce's daughter and Katherine's son, and George is Emily's father. One of Katherine's daughters is also Chuck's biological child. It's all pretty confusing, and I feel like I need a flow chart to keep track of it all. Despite knowing that my marriage is over and having gone through all the stages of grief, I find the strength to create the appearance of a loving husband. It has turned into a kind of game for me; I pretend to

be affectionate while secretly planning how to ruin my future ex-wife, Dunamelon, who cheated on me for over 24 years. It's pretty funny considering she's been deceiving me for so long. If she can lie to my face for so long, then I will definitely be able to pretend to be a devoted, caring, albeit forgetful husband for several months. Frank's team plans to carry out the same procedures in San Diego as in Washington. They were going to scrupulously examine the collected records and evidence, hoping to find all the missing details. With unshakable confidence, they expected everything to

unfold the same way as in Washington. Personally, I couldn't contain my excitement about the upcoming trip to Orlando and was happy to think about how to turn their lives into an absolute nightmare. Unfortunately, Katherine couldn't join us in San Diego, but since classes in Orlando lasted three days, all six of us agreed to attend them. The prospect of spending two days without the presence of colleagues, where we could maneuver freely, filled us with joyful anticipation. Duna was clearly neglecting our anniversary when she chose to spend time with her comrades instead of rushing to the one

she supposedly loves. She didn't know yet that I had already planned to be there for her in Orlando. In the presence of all the students, I would hold the final hour classes, so everyone would witness the dissolution of the Gang of Six. Dave, Frank, Steve, and I jointly developed a strategy to eliminate their vulnerability. After the foundation was laid, my moment finally came when I had to go on stage. After Dana's departure in the fourth update, I took the initiative to establish contacts with the spouses of our close-knit group of six people. I shared with

them my plan to surprise my wife in Orlando in honor of our 25th wedding anniversary and 25 years experienced in the company. Considering that their spouses joined the company at the same time as mine, I decided that their presence would be pleasant for everyone. As a token of appreciation, I booked flights that will be waiting for them at the boarding gate. I informed Kent and Emily of the plan to surprise their mother on Wednesday and invited them to meet me in Orlando on Tuesday. In the evening of the same day, I got together with the

children and told them all the details. We spent several hours discussing how I found out the truth, the evidence I gathered, my intentions to confront their mother the next day, and, most importantly, how much I cherish them. During our heartfelt conversation, I told them that I might not be their biological father but assured them that I would always be a loving father to them. We hugged tightly, and tears flowed down our faces. They had a lot of questions, and I tried to answer them honestly without embellishing my answers. I begged them not to tell their

mother, and they both promised not to. Looking into their eyes, I said that I would like them to accompany me tomorrow when I would confront their mother and shame her. I acknowledged that this was a very important request and apologized if it confused them. Unfortunately, the fact that they are not my biological children will soon be made public in the Atlanta newspapers, which will undoubtedly lead to shame for all of us. If they decide to come, they will witness my rude attitude towards their mother and her companions. I may say something that will embarrass them,

but it is important to know that nothing I say will change my attitude towards them. Since you are already adults, I cannot legally adopt you, although I would gladly do it if I could. But despite this, I want you to know that I sincerely love you both and consider you my children. It is up to you to decide whether you will attend because, in the end, she is your mother. Your time to think about everything and make a decision yourself, knowing that I will love you from now on and forever. Ken asked with tears in

his eyes, "Dad, I understand that Mom loves you and you love her. Can you find the strength in your heart to forgive her and move on? Why don't you both go to a psychologist to sort this out?" Looking at my children, I try to stay calm and keep myself composed. How can you calmly and rationally answer such incredulous questions? Taking a deep breath, I realize that, as children, they naturally want their parents to always be together and constantly be present next to them. So please close your eyes and let me take you on a journey.

Imagine that you have met an extraordinary person whom you consider an ideal partner, with whom you want to spend the rest of your life. The very thought of being separated from him, even for a moment, becomes unbearable. After a magical honeymoon, you both start building your careers, and over the years, you have two wonderful children. Your life revolves around the happiness and well-being of your family. From football training to cheerleading camps, you devote your time to supporting your loved ones in their endeavors. In adolescence and adulthood, you share romantic vacations and dinners with your spouse,

cherishing every moment spent together. Snuggling up to your loved ones, you realize that they are the most precious treasure in your life. Love for them encourages you to use every minute to the maximum advantage, even if unexpected opportunities appear that force you to leave the city for a while. But wherever you go, your heart yearns to return to the warm embrace of your family. Grateful for their presence, you express your gratitude to God every day, knowing that your family brings great joy and happiness into your life. In this state of contentment and bliss, you find

solace in believing that life cannot be better. Think a little over my words while they are absorbed into your consciousness. Happiness is written on the faces of the people sitting in front of me. Kent, you're watching a movie with your beloved wife. In this scene, she finds herself in a hotel room, accompanied by three men and two women. Each woman chooses a card from the deck, and your wife's face lights up with delight when she shows everyone her Ace of Spades. Given this situation, Kent, do you still believe in your wife's love for you? Emily,

now imagine your husband as one of the men in this movie. How do you feel about forgiveness? Are you ready to seek help from a psychologist and overcome this problem together? Kent was sitting there, his eyes full of tears, and Emily was sobbing next to him. They both needed time to process my words and regain control of their overflowing emotions. When the film came to an end and the credits rolled, it became clear that the group had been steadily releasing four films a year for 24 years. Surprisingly, we were even able to get access to

a live broadcast of how they shoot another movie in a hotel room just a kilometer away from us. Moreover, I managed to collect more than 40 hours of video recordings made by your mother and her colleagues during the three previous expeditions. Wouldn't it be terrible to find out that you are not the biological parent of your children, or even worse, to find out that your husband is the biological father of someone else's child? What would you feel after learning about such revelations? Gathering my thoughts, I continued: the person who is dearer to you than anything

else in the world decides to leave you and your children a day earlier to take part in entertainment with a group of people solely in order to spend an extra day in sexual intercourse. Moreover, they decide to extend their stay here for another two days, solely in order to continue their intimate life. When your spouse returns home, it takes him a whole day to recuperate before he can be with you, the person he claims to love. How much love, respect, and care do you think they feel for their spouses or children? Your mother not only

disrespected and lied to me but to both of you. Kent, holding back tears, replied, "Dad, I've never thought about it from that point of view. You're right; I wouldn't want my wife to treat me like that either. I never thought that Mom would prefer to spend more time with this group instead of being at home with us, not to mention what a terrible impact it had on you. I love you. I'm not sure I can be around you tomorrow, but I'll keep you posted." "Dad, I'm deeply sorry for the pain you're going through. If my

husband ever did this to me and our children, I would definitely give him a good kick. Believe me, I'll be there to support you tomorrow." "Dad, I want to thank you for being such a wonderful father. I love you." Emily said. "It seems Kent puts his interests ahead of ours, just like Mom chooses her 'duck.'" However, you and Dad will be there tomorrow; it's time to step up and become a responsible adult." Emily continued. I was completely taken aback by Emily's unexpected reaction and outburst. Kent's expression was priceless. I really adore my kids. With a

burning look, Emily asked me about the plan of action for tomorrow. I have invited the spouses of the members of this company, consisting of six people, to join us tomorrow to make a surprise. Their spouses believe that we are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. Since their spouses have been with Donia all these years, I decided that it would be appropriate for them to take part in the celebration. You and Kent are... The only ones who know about this in advance are the people I want it to be a complete surprise for everyone else. I plan

to provide them with all the evidence I have so that they can freely express their emotions and calmly react to their unfaithful partners. By the way, don't forget that you have stepbrothers and sisters that you might want to meet later. I explained that all five remaining partners joined us at the hotel. We had the opportunity to meet, get acquainted, and enjoy a delicious lunch. At 2:00 p.m., our group, including Kent, went to the hotel where Donna's class was taking place. When we entered the lobby of the hotel, the rest of my unexpected guests were already

waiting for us. Among them were a lawyer from Dave Ford's office, Frank's employee, and an experienced videographer. To top it off, a florist arrived at 2:30 p.m. to deliver 25 red roses, which I ordered personally. Emily and the other women couldn't help but admire their beauty and noted how beautiful they looked. Emily's eyes were blazing with determination; she was preparing for the upcoming battle. Taking a break to calm down, I told her that everything was in my hands. At exactly 2:45 p.m., we went to the meeting room, Emily leading the way and Kent following. The

couple, overcome with anticipation, looked no less excited, carrying a bouquet of 25 roses. I entered Donna's classroom at 3:00 p.m. accompanied by John Manning and his video camera. Donna's face turned crimson when she noticed me approaching with flowers and a smile on my face. I playfully noted that her blush was perfectly combined with the roses, which caused a burst of laughter from everyone present. Smiling, Donna looked at me and then turned to face the class, introducing me as JT, her beloved husband. Looking around the room, I saw the remaining five people scattered around the classroom

as I expected. Returning to Donna, I said, "I know that today is the last day of classes, and before you all leave, I ask you to help make this day unforgettable for her. This Sunday, we will celebrate our wonderful 25-year wedding anniversary." As if on cue, a group emerged from a hallway led by Emily. When they entered, the photographer took a stunning picture of Donna's face; her expression was absolutely priceless. However, the members of the intimate group seemed to be in a state of complete panic. Grinning broadly, I stood and watched as Emily introduced Donna

to the spouses of her friends engaged in the scene. It was obvious that Emily was enjoying the unfolding drama. I had never seen Emily like this before, and it made me realize that her future husband should be careful. We're celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this Sunday, and I was hoping to enlist your help to make it really special. Next month, Danel will celebrate the 25th anniversary of her work in this company. It's really wonderful when two significant events happen in such a short period of time, isn't it? Interestingly, around the same time, George, Henry, Chuck,

Joyce, and Katherine joined the company. To make this event even more memorable, I invited their spouses to join us. John will be filming this special event on video, so please take a moment and say a few words to the camera before you leave. In a few minutes, I will introduce you to the other distinguished guests present here. When I paused and took a deep breath, my pulse began to slow down, allowing me to truly appreciate the familiar faces of this incredible group of six people. I invited George, Henry, Chuck, Joyce, and Katherine to come forward

and join us. The group headed to the front of the room, accompanied by applause from other participants of the class. When Emily appeared next to me, I felt like she was looking forward to what was coming. Taking her hand in mine, I guided her to George. In a calm voice, I introduced George Thomas as Emily's biological father. Donna's face turned pale; she looked like a ghost, and George's wife looked at me with disbelief and asked me to repeat my words. "Yes, indeed, George is Emily's biological father," I confirmed. Suddenly, George found his voice and asked

the question, "Why do you think I'm her father?" I held out my hand and the lawyer put three documents in my palm. Turning to George, I handed him the first document, saying, "This is a petition for a paternity test by court order." Handing him the second document, I continued, "I am suing you, demanding 21 years of unpaid alimony and compensation for the emotional suffering costs." Finally, I handed George a copy of the lawsuit I intended to file against his employer, explaining, "This is a lawsuit against your employer for non-compliance with the moral obligations prescribed in

your employment contract. I have received the results of DNA analysis from a reputable laboratory confirming that you are the biological father of Emily, daughter of Donna. The court-appointed test is only a procedural requirement." I reassured George's wife by telling her that I had copies of all the evidence that she could use at her discretion. The atmosphere in the audience became chaotic as the other spouses were stunned and realized that this meeting was not a joyful celebration. Against the backdrop of all this, I found solace in my own entertainment. Suddenly, Kent came up to me, standing

at full height and nodding silently in appreciation. At that moment, when I looked at Kent, I was overwhelmed with a surge of pride and a sense of accomplishment. I directed us to Chuck, intending to introduce him in the same way I introduced Emily to her biological father. "Kent," I said, trying to sound confident, "I want you to meet your biological father, Charles Nixon." There was an eerie silence in the room when Chuck's middle name was revealed. Pronounced while this name was hanging in the air, the lawyer calmly handed me the documents. Carefully, I went through

each page with Chuck, repeating the process I had done with George. Chuck's wife, concerned, made sure I had copies when it came to the realization that Don had only two children. A sense of calmness swept over everyone in the room. Smiling, I anticipated that I wouldn't let the others get away unscathed; they enjoyed their games, and now it was time for them to face the consequences. Donia was sitting on a chair, tears streaming down her face. I announced, realizing that my appearance had taken them by surprise, "Get ready, because the real fun is about to

begin." There was silence in the room, as if a pin could be heard falling. Taking a deep breath, I continued, revealing a secret that had been buried for five long months. "You see, Doe Jones, Catherine, George, Chuck, and Henry attended classes together for the sole purpose of avoiding their duties. This farce has been going on for more than two decades." Posing this sensation, I couldn't help but mention Emily, who turned 23 a few months ago. The truth had finally been revealed, and the consequences were about to manifest. Let's figure it out: Henry is the biological

father of daughter Joyce and son Catherine. The eldest daughter of Emily and Katherine is George's biological child. The biological father of Kent and Katherine's youngest daughter is Chuck. Surprisingly, Joyce's son is actually her husband's child. Can you imagine? Of the seven children these three women have, only one is the child of their spouse. The room was in complete chaos. I will not dwell on the rest of the events in detail. Imagine a situation where all the necessary legal documents have been successfully delivered. Copies of these documents were handed over to the spouses, which led to

a huge upset in the company of six people handing down the divorce papers. I firmly stated that she should not contact me, return home, or try to see me again. I couldn't help but express my deep disappointment with her deceitful and wrong actions. Sitting in my hotel room, I spent some time thinking about the events related to Donna and her friends, but my thoughts were interrupted by Emily, who suddenly appeared next to me. Initially, I planned to come into conflict with Dana, gradually addressing each member of her group and eventually revealing the truth about the

children. Emily had a strong desire to meet face to face with her biological father. As for me, I decided to abandon my original plan and just go with the flow. My main goal was to inform the group of six people that I had discovered their infidelity and exposed them to their spouses. I wanted to publicly shame them in front of my colleagues and take legal action against them by handing them the claim documents. As a result, their spouses were left furious, which brought me a sense of satisfaction and self-confidence. Suddenly, a knock interrupted my thoughts,

forcing me to open the door. To my surprise, my children were standing there, the same ones who had previously helped their mother into her room. After greeting them, Emily hugged me tightly, showing her love for me. "Dad," she began, acknowledging my reluctance to discuss her mother, "I understand that you don't want to hear about Mom, but she is in a fragile state. I've decided to take her home tomorrow and give her a whole week to pack her things before she returns to Atlanta. Despite everything she's done to our family, I can't help but love her.

I really want to be offended by her, but she needs my support." There was determination in Emily's eyes, and I realized that Dana was in desperate need of someone's support. I was grateful to Emily for doing what was right for her mother. The last few days have shown me that Emily is an incredibly resilient and strong woman. She would have confirmed her power over Dawn. Kent would have expressed himself like this: "Dad, I love you and despise the way Mom ruined our family. Can I accompany you on your trip home tomorrow?" Without hesitation, I happily

agreed. "Of course, I will be glad if you come home with me tomorrow," I said. Emily got up from her seat, hugged me, and said, "I'm going to stay the night with my mom. I don't think she should be left alone." As she walked out the door, her last words were, "Daddy, I love you." Ken and I spent a few hours together, drank several bottles of beer, after which he went to his room. Five years have passed since I liquidated the gang of six people that once flourished, and I'm glad to report that these years

have been prosperous for me. The satisfaction I feel in connection with the consequences inflicted on this group is immeasurable. Over the next week, all six people were dismissed from their posts. Now they are divorced, have no means of livelihood, broken, and completely alone. Strangely enough, their past keeps coming up and tormenting them whenever they manage to find a decent job, which eventually forces them to look for an alternative. I would like to take responsibility for their misfortunes, but another structure is closely monitoring their actions. They are trying to rebuild their lives and establish relationships with

their children, but I am very pleased to report that their path is far from over. Their former partners only communicate with them when they need financial help; some of them are gradually building relationships with their children. When I returned to Atlanta and spent one night in this house, I realized that I would never be able to spend the night there again. This place was filled with too many memories that I... Couldn't handle in search of a new place of residence, I temporarily settled in a hotel. Ken accompanied me on a trip to Atlanta, but eventually

moved to Dallas, Texas, for his first real job. Apparently, they are happy with his work there since he has already been promoted four times. He is currently single and actively dating; he enjoys his job and loves the city of Dallas. We plan to talk about his possible employment in my company this summer. Despite the fact that five years have passed, the connection with his mother remains tense. They occasionally communicate on the phone; it had been a long time since Ken had seen his mother since we left Orlando. Kent and Emily talk on the phone almost

every day. The consequences of exposing the gang of six have had a significant impact on all of us, especially the children. I'm not sure Kent will ever be able to trust someone enough to decide on marriage, but Emily still took Dania with her to Naples for a week. Donna's attempts to explain the situation were constantly thwarted by Emily, who insisted that she leave it for her therapist, as she was not interested in listening to what she considered a lie. Emily firmly believed that she would never be able to find an adequate explanation for Donna's act

and the subsequent destruction of their family. In addition, Donna did not receive an invitation to Emily's private wedding, which was supposed to take place in honor of their first wedding anniversary. Currently, Emily and her husband Trey live in Atlanta and prefer not to work or participate in the work of my company, despite the fact that Emily joined it two years ago. Despite this, I appreciate her presence nearby because, as it turned out, she has a natural talent for business. Emily made it clear to Trey from the very beginning what the consequences would be for him

if she found out about his infidelity. Trey knows perfectly well what Donna has done; after I exposed the gang of six, their spouses and children gathered in Atlanta. Eight months later, being around people who experienced similar emotions and tried to move forward helped us to orient ourselves in life. The children have established strong ties and continue to communicate. In three weeks, we're going to Nashville for another meeting. It turned out that when the gang of six began to cheat instead of engaging in intimate life, they paired up for a week. Emily and Kent were named

after George's mother and his father, respectively. This decision of Donna forever connected her children with their biological father, but when this became known, Emily and Kent turned away from Donna. Even after five years, their relationship with her remains strained. Emily at least agrees to have lunch with Donna, but Kent categorically refuses to meet her. Once, I was deeply in love with Donna until I discovered her deception and infidelity. I understand that it is difficult for some men to move forward, but I am not one of them. Life goes on; we have two options: give up

or get up and move on. My children depended on me, and I depended on them. Donna and I came to an agreement that she would keep the house, as she believed that there were too many cherished memories in it to part with them. I, on the contrary, had other views. In addition, I settled matters with George and Chuck, and the money they provided was faithfully placed in trust funds for Emily and Kent. My intention was not to profit from their money, but to make them feel the consequences of their actions. Six months after our divorce

was finalized, I decided to start dating again. My main desire was to find someone special with whom I could share my love in life. The key to a full and joyful life is to both love someone and be loved in return. Until that happens, I will patiently search and wait for Emily to give me grandchildren that I can shower with affection. It is important to note that in the case of committing such deceptive actions as treason, no positive results occur. Ultimately, retribution is just a destructive cycle; besides, Donna is not only humiliated by me in

front of many, but also karma punished her. Her relationship with other men does not hold up; she could not find a decent job either. Now, Donna works as a cook in a fast food restaurant, and the worst thing is that something terrible happened at work. The hot oil from the deep fryer tipped over her body from the waist down to the toe; her skin was 95% damaged. It's like Donna has been boiled alive. I can't even imagine what kind of pain it is; it's amazing that she didn't die from pain shock. Now she's in the

clinic under the close attention of doctors. --- Story Two: Greetings to all! Let me tell you a story that happened to me. I have been happily married for four decades. I am already 64 years old, and my beloved wife is 62. Our relationship goes beyond the ordinary; it is truly unusual. We are not only financially stable and healthy, but also have the honor to raise two wonderful daughters who gave us three amazing grandchildren. Our journey together goes beyond simple companionship; we are united in a deep and amazing way. Thinking about our relationship, I realized that

we are not only best friends but also true partners. Even the youngest couples would envy our intimate connection. So, you're probably wondering what could be wrong in such an ideal scenario. One Saturday, I remembered to the smallest detail: the sun was shining, filling the day with joyful anticipation. I was looking forward to an exciting game of golf with my mates; the whole week went to this moment, to the opportunity to... me that I had been naive, allowing myself to be blinded by trust while ignoring the subtle signs that had been there all along. The golf

course, once a place of escape from the daily grind, now felt like a battleground for my thoughts. Each swing of my club echoed the turmoil in my mind, and as I played, I couldn't help but replay the scene in my living room over and over again. The sun shone brightly, yet I felt a chill within me. My friends chatted and laughed, completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside me. I tried to join in, but my heart wasn't in it. Every laugh seemed distant, every jovial comment grating on my already frayed nerves. I had always been

the type to compartmentalize my emotions, but this was different. How could I separate the joy of the game from the heartbreak of betrayal? After a frustrating round, we gathered at the clubhouse to grab a bite to eat. It was there that I realized I needed to confront my feelings rather than push them aside. The haunting images of my wife and Victor lingered, and I couldn't shake the sense of betrayal. I watched as my friends chatted away, their carefree spirits mocking my inner turmoil. It was time to return home and face the reality of my situation.

I had to confront my wife, ask her the questions that had been plaguing my mind, and hopefully find some answers. As I drove back, the weight of uncertainty hung heavy in the air, and I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what lay ahead. There was no turning back now. me that I had been harboring this suspicion for a long time, but deep love for her and naivety did not allow me to admit it. I have never delved into these uncertainties, but there was one distinct memory that always remained in the shadows despite the passage

of time. I decided to return to it, refraining from trying to classify these memories as suppressed; on the contrary, I began to look at them anew, from the point of view of a mature and knowledgeable person, far from the young and inexperienced 20-year-old boy that I once was. We lived together before marriage during my two-year college studies. I had my first experience of a real romantic relationship after the period of military operations had passed, as a late teenager. In this field, I perceived our connection as something unique, but looking back, I realized that there were

obvious signs that I didn't notice at the time. In the process of deepening into reflection, the pieces of the puzzle began to connect. These memories surfaced in connection with recent events, evoking meetings in which, as I now suspect, at least three different men, with whom she was in an intimate relationship at that time, took part. Among them was my former closest friend, with whom I gradually became estranged. It has been more than two decades since we last crossed paths because now he lives in another country. These thoughts persistently torment my mind, not wanting to dissipate.

The burden of these memories accumulates in me, not giving me the opportunity to cope with them. They prevent me from sleeping at night, depriving me of much-needed rest. Suffocating anxiety consumed my entire consciousness when my wife predictably rejected my accusations that she had entered into an illicit relationship with a friend of our grandson. She tricked our innocent children into this ordeal, concealing the most important details, hiding the truth. She deliberately did not mention the sight that stuck in my memory; she was in an alluring bikini next to our grandson's friend, who was shirtless, while she

cunningly talked about the innocent care of the pool in our own backyard. Perhaps she had deceived me countless times before, easily escaping my attention, but this case became an undoubted revelation, an indisputable betrayal that stabbed me in the heart like a dagger. I found myself in a situation where she was trying to present me as a person behaving strangely in her advanced years. Even more distressing was my inability to convey to my children and grandson that intuition told me that something was wrong. They just didn't want to believe that she was alone in the living

room, dressed in a revealing bikini, and he was in boxer shorts without a tank top. The whole scenario turned into a verbal altercation, and she manipulated the situation, creating the impression that she was right. The following weeks were spent in the hardest struggle, as a result of which, despite my thinness, I lost a lot of weight. My mental state was rapidly deteriorating, and I was increasingly afraid that I might harm myself. In addition, she successfully turned all my children against me, making me look like a scoundrel in their eyes. I'm like her; I do not

know how to be assertive by nature and do not know how to conduct active disputes. I am one of those people who prefer to avoid conflicts and solve them in private. But the situation has become a turning point for me. I began to doubt myself, which made me seek solace in individual consultations. It was at this time that I realized that my marriage seemed to have been built on a false foundation. My therapist introduced me to the principle of mindfulness, but I had difficulty comprehending its essence. Despite all my efforts, I could not master the

art of being present in the present moment. Weeks passed, and I increasingly avoided talking about my spouse's infidelity. But then came the turning point when I could no longer suppress my emotions. Having plucked up the courage, I finally started talking about the betrayal that she had in her younger years. The shock on her face was indescribable. At first, she categorically denied her guilt and considered my accusations nonsense. She seemed determined to find someone to blame for her own insecurities. Despite my disappointment, I remained calm and repeated that none of her words were absolutely true. Nevertheless,

she continued to search desperately for a scapegoat, grasping at straws to confirm her baseless suspicions. It was unpleasant to watch the trust in her relationship being destroyed because her accusations only increased the gap between us. Unable to remain calm any longer, I reached my limit. It was a breakdown unlike any I've experienced before. I collapsed to the floor and was overcome by uncontrollable tears. Even simple breathing seemed to me a difficult task, not to mention speech. Time seemed to drag on endlessly, but this incident took her by surprise—genuinely surprised. She knelt down and hugged me

tightly, comforting me. As I gradually recovered, she denied her guilt and convinced me of her willingness to solve our problems. She said that she did not understand my state of mind and was afraid that I might leave her for unreasonable reasons. At the same time, I still did not have concrete evidence because she did not admit to anything. Gradually, we began to discuss the events that were taking place. I was surprised that our memories diverged even in such important moments as time and events. Perhaps this is just a consequence of more than a decade of

living together. Despite the fact that my memories were fresh, as if they had happened only last week, she was mostly silent, listening attentively. I had the feeling that she was amazed by the volume of my memories, realizing that I was not as distrustful as... She might have assumed some part of me suspected that she was trying to assess my knowledge in order to determine the extent of her own confession. The closest she came to a confession was when she mentioned her willingness to meet with my psychologist if I found it useful. After telling about her

terrible deeds, she cautiously admitted that divulging everything could change my idea of her. This brought to mind the witty phrase of the hero Jack Nicholson from the movie *A Few Good Men*: "You want to know the truth, but you can't cope with it." Curiosity consumed me when I wondered if the truth could surpass the torments that my imagination had drawn, intensifying the suffering that I was currently experiencing. In addition, I began to think about how she managed to entangle my children in this complex web. I had a deep conviction that she harbored a deep sense

of shame. After four decades of living together, it seemed to me that I knew her from the inside. To prove to our children that I was not crazy and that she was mistaken, I decided to secretly record our conversations. I was determined to gather evidence of her infidelity. One morning, I had the idea to turn to my former best friend, whom I suspected of cheating on his wife. We hadn't seen him in over two decades. In a desperate attempt to get him to confess to cheating with my wife, I decided to secretly record our conversation.

Until that moment, the thought of such a call had not occurred to me. After getting his phone number from a mutual friend, I dialed his number with a pounding heart and trembling hands. I connected with a voice that seemed both familiar and sleepy to me because of the late time in his part of the world. "John," I said, plucking up the courage to tell him about the purpose of my call, trying my best to keep an even voice. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" I said softly, a hint of uncertainty slipping into my voice. There

was a moment of silence, and I almost felt a thought flash through his head, replaying the steps of our past friendship. "Who is it?" he replied, and there was weariness in his tone. Gathering my strength, I took a deep breath and said, "This is David." There was a hint of disbelief in his voice as he repeated my name: "David? Is it really you?" I confirmed his suspicions by replying, "Yes, it's me." Our conversation immediately switched to another topic. We exchanged forced pleasantries, trying to fit two decades of life into a few minutes. The pain of

lost time was felt; the severity of the reason for my call oppressed my thoughts, but I understood that I could not delay any longer. Summoning all the remaining courage, I asked the question, "John, do you remember Anna?" There was a pause, and even on the phone, I felt his concern. "Of course," he answered hesitantly. "Is Anna your wife?" With a heavy heart, I squeezed out a weak statement, choking with emotion. "She was my wife." After standing for a while to realize the full weight of my words, I continued, "Anna passed away last night." The silence

engulfed us, stretching it seemed for an eternity. Realizing that he must have been caught off guard, his thoughts were racing, trying to make sense of the news. I took a deep breath, trying to portray emotions. "Before she died, she trusted me, John," I said. There was a noticeable hesitation in his answer, and confusion sounded in his voice. "What? What do you mean?" he stuttered, his voice trembling with anger and sadness. I continued, "She confessed everything about your infidelity. She told about the betrayal, about the lies, about the years we lost because of it." There was

a sharp intake of breath and a heavy sigh at the other end of the line. Interrupting him abruptly, I said, "Why, John?" I was choking, my voice filled with a mixture of resentment and betrayal. "How could you do this to me? You were my closest friend!" On the other end of the line, his sobs and choked voice mixed together. "David, I can't even express how deeply sorry I am," he admitted, and the grief was evident in every word he said. "It was a terrible mistake that haunts me every day. I regret it with all my

inner strength." Although I felt the full weight of his remorse, my heart was still burdened with a powerful mixture of anger and pain. At the moment he made his confession, I could not help but continue recording our conversation, realizing that his confession would be the only way to force my wife to finally admit the truth. As he sobbed uncontrollably, the burden of his guilt over a period of more than 20 years finally revealed itself. "Please forgive me, David," he pleaded in a voice full of remorse. "I was weak and let you down in the most

terrible way." When his confession hung in the air for a moment, I felt a deep sense of loss. Our once strong friendship, built on trust and camaraderie, had collapsed beyond recognition. With a heavy heart, I uttered the last words: "Goodbye, John." When I finished the conversation, I was overcome by a mixture of emotions. Although my heart remained heavy, I was comforted by the fact that I had received the indisputable proof I needed. But the pain of betrayal still wrangled in my heart. When my wife returned, I plucked up the courage and played the recording to

her. As she listened, a deep shadow of embarrassment appeared on her face. She could no longer deny the truth; she was caught in a web of deception. With tears in her eyes, she begged me not to tell our children about this. Recording in exchange for her confessing about the other two alleged affairs, we made a deal, deciding that I must have proof. I wrote down every detail of her confession after the heartbreaking revelation. She begged me to promise that I would not share the recording. Feeling the need for space and reflection, I offered to part

ways, giving us both time to reassess our lives. It's time to reflect on the state of our long-term marriage. Having lived together for more than four decades, I, a 64-year-old, and she, a 62-year-old, created, as it seemed to me, a strong and reliable connection. But everything changed when I found out about our connection with our grandson's friend. Disturbing memories surfaced that made me doubt her loyalty throughout our relationship. Despite the available evidence, she categorically denied her connection with our grandson's friend. Instead, she tried to shift the blame onto me as the reason for our breakup,

trying to preserve her innocence. She proposed a plan for our upcoming separation. To my surprise, during our conversation, I agreed, knowing that this would lead to her devastation. She offered to divorce amicably, while I had to take the blame for the destruction of our marriage, explaining it by my suspicions and not by her infidelity. Without knowing it, I recorded every confession she made. The next day, my children turned to me with a request for reconciliation with their mother. Only then did I decide to show them the recording and present irrefutable evidence. As a result, they

began to see her in a different light, realizing the extent of her betrayal. Annoyed by my decision not to fulfill the terms of our contract, my wife went into combat, intending to take everything we have in the event of a divorce. But she doesn't understand that at my age, material values don't matter much, as long as I have enough to feed myself until the age of 90, when many members of my family, as a rule, pass away. I am focused on something else: the love and support of my children, which are really important to me,

as well as the legacy I will leave behind. Despite the pressure from many who believed in preserving a relationship that lasted four decades, they seem to have forgotten that with age comes the desire to spend the remaining years with a person who truly loves you. Every time I look at her, I see only deception, manipulation, and betrayal. I've reached the point where living a life built on lies has become unbearable. We divorced after three long months. Anna moved to live with her daughter, and I sold the house and divided the money. I went to travel

the world. The children told me how Anna is suffering from shame, that she has started a deep depression, and soon she had a stroke; as a result, she was paralyzed.