[Music] Jason Chandler's life seemed like the picture of success. Raised in a close-knit, supportive family, he had always been a hard worker, excelling in school and later in business. His father, a self-made entrepreneur, taught him the value of discipline and integrity, values Jason carried into adulthood. A business degree from a reputable university, coupled with his natural acumen, positioned him for a promising career in the family's flourishing tire company. Jason wasn't just ambitious; he was a man of principle, intent on creating a life filled with purpose and stability. Karen Thoron had always been charming and
ambitious, qualities that had initially drawn Jason to her. She came from a modest background but had grand aspirations. Her determination to rise above her circumstances fueled her drive both in her career and personal life. By the time she met Jason at university, Karen had already mapped out her path to success, with real estate as her chosen field. She and Jason quickly became inseparable, their shared drive for achievement seemingly the perfect foundation for a life together. Their relationship blossomed, leading to a whirlwind romance that culminated in marriage. They bought their first home, a modest but comfortable
house, within two years of graduating. Karen quickly established herself as a rising star in real estate, while Jason managed the accounting department of his father's business. Together, they epitomized the power couple, blending their professional successes with an apparent devotion to one another. Over time, cracks began to appear in their seemingly perfect life. Karen's growing success in real estate introduced her to a high-paced, glamorous world that often pulled her away from Jason. Her long work hours, coupled with late-night client meetings, began creating distance in their relationship. Despite Jason's attempts to bridge the gap, their once-solid bond
began to erode, setting the stage for the turmoil to come. Jason Chandler reclined on the sofa, engrossed in his phone, when a call from his wife interrupted him. Karen's trembling voice instantly filled him with dread. Just hours earlier, a private investigator had revealed unsettling news: Karen and a man she had secretly been seeing were boarding a flight to Honolulu for a week-long getaway. The betrayal stung deeply, adding another layer of deceit to the mounting web of lies that had slowly unraveled their marriage. Jason couldn't shake the gnawing question of how he had overlooked the signs.
Even after years spent building a life together, he sighed, took a sip of his coffee, and leaned back in his chair, reflecting on the past decade. Jason and Karen had met 13 years ago in college while studying business. They'd quickly fallen in love, married, and built a life together. Jason had joined his father's successful tire business, eventually taking over the accounting department, while Karen thrived in real estate. They had a nice home, new cars, and seemed to have it all—except for children. Karen had told him her fallopian tubes were tied, and when Jason suggested adoption,
she shot it down. Over time, he accepted they would remain childless, but recently, things had felt off. Karen began spending more time out with friends, going from occasional happy hours to multiple late nights a week. Jason voiced his concerns, but Karen dismissed them, claiming work stress was to blame. One night, after a particularly late return, smelling of cigarette smoke, he confronted her. She insisted it was just drinks and dancing, but Jason knew something wasn't right. She apologized, but the tension lingered. Over the next few months, their closeness faded. What had been regular sex dwindled to
once every two weeks. Karen seemed more distant, no longer asking about Jason's day or showing interest in his life. Then Jason caught her in a lie. He dropped by her office to surprise her for lunch, only to learn she had already left. That evening, she claimed she'd been at the office all day. He didn't confront her, but the lie stung; it made him wonder how many other times she had deceived him. Later, as they lay in bed, Jason confessed his worries about their relationship. Karen reassured him, but the doubt remained. Their connection felt strained, and
Jason wasn't sure he could believe her anymore. She promised to show him she still loved him, but he wasn't convinced. That night, they made love, and while Jason felt a bit reassured, something still didn't feel right. Over the next month, things seemed better, but the distance returned. He kept wondering, "What's happening to us?" The truth began to surface when his old friend Ron Green called, asking to meet. "Sure, I'm up for a beer," Jason said. "What's going on?" "It's hard to explain over the phone," Ron replied urgently, "but it's important." Jason agreed to meet Ron
at the bar that evening. He was surprised to find Karen home early, as she usually stayed out later. At the bar, Ron didn't waste any time. "I saw your wife today while I was jogging," he said, leaning in. Jason looked up, intrigued. "Really?" "Yeah. I didn't know she was into holding hands and kissing clients." Jason frowned. "What are you talking about?" Ron’s expression grew serious. "I wish I were joking. I saw Karen with some guy on Riverside Drive. They were kissing and all over each other." Jason's heart dropped. "No way! Are you sure it was
her?" Ron asked, showing Jason a photo. It was Karen. Jason stared, stunned. "Can you send me that?" Ron quickly sent the photo. "So what now?" Jason was lost for words. "I don't know, man. This is way more than I expected." Ron suggested a private investigator. "I can hook you up if you want." "Do it," Jason replied. "I need answers." Afterward, Jason returned home, where Karen was already in the kitchen. "You're home early," he said, kissing her. "Not complaining, just surprised." She kissed him back, smiling. "Where were you?" "Having a beer." With Ron, Jason said, "I
didn't think you'd be home yet. Everything okay with him?" She asked, "Not exactly." Jason replied, "He found out his friend's wife is cheating." Karen's interest peaked. "Really?" "Yeah," Jason said, trying to gauge her reaction. "I saw her kissing a guy today." Karen briefly flinched but quickly recovered. "Maybe heun's mistaken." Jason stared at her, unsure. "I'm just glad I don't have that problem," she relaxed. "I'd be devastated if that happened to me." Jason, feeling uneasy, kissed her forehead. "I'm glad to hear that." "I love you, Jace," she whispered, pulling him close. Jason sensed the tension but
chose not to confront her yet; he wasn't ready. "So why are you home so early?" he asked, changing the subject. "The conference is this weekend," she replied brightly. "I thought I'd pack and spend time with you before I leave." "Where's the conference this year?" Jason asked, feigning casual interest. "Las Vegas," she said. "At the Westgate Resort." "I've heard it's nice. Four stars, right?" "Yeah," she smiled. "I'm really looking forward to it. But we do get some free time too." "When do you leave?" Jason asked, trying to figure out their time together. "Friday, right after lunch,"
she said. "Did you win another award this year?" Jason asked, knowing how successful she was. "I think so," she shrugged. "They haven't announced it, but I'm pretty sure." They kissed again, but Jason's mind stayed on edge. Her behavior had been off lately, and he couldn't shake the suspicion that she was hiding something. "Why don't I walk you upstairs and congratulate you on another great year?" Jason suggested, pushing his doubts aside for now. She smiled, taking his hand. "I was wondering when you'd offer," she teased. That evening they were intimate, but Jason couldn't shake his growing
suspicions. Was she planning something while away this weekend? He wondered if the conference would be the turning point. "Hey, I've got some time off coming up," Jason said, trying to lighten the mood. "Why don't I come with you to Vegas? We could relax and maybe reconnect. Our 10th anniversary is coming up,” he added, hoping to salvage something. "That sounds fun," Karen replied, "but I'll be busy with seminars and work afterward." Jason felt disappointed but hid it. "All right, maybe we can celebrate when you get back." "I'll miss you," she smiled. The next morning, Jason contacted
Ron for the private investigator's details. After setting up a meeting, he went to meet the investigator before lunch. "Good morning, Mr. Chandler," greeted Jerry, the investigator, a middle-aged man with a weathered face. Jason explained his concerns about Karen's Vegas trip. "Vegas, huh?" Jerry raised an eyebrow. "You think she's meeting someone?" "I'm not sure," Jason admitted. "I've got some contacts there," Jerry said. "We can keep an eye on her if you want. We can even plant a camera in her hotel room, but that'll cost extra." "I need to know the truth," Jason replied calmly. Jerry handed
him a voice-activated recorder. "Put it under her car seat. When she drives off, turn it on, and we'll handle the rest." "Good," Jason said, taking the recorder and a contact number. He paid with money he had saved for a vacation—money now redirected for another purpose. Later, Karen finished packing, and Jason helped her with the bags. "That's a lot of stuff for a weekend," he remarked, noticing the packed bags. Curious, he opened one and found a container of birth control pills—only 10 left. "Wait, didn't she say her tubes were tied?" His mind raced. Then he found
a mix of business clothes, tiny clubbing dresses, and lacy lingerie. One bikini was so revealing it was only ever seen online. Jason took photos with his phone. Later, he placed the recorder under her car seat and watched her drive away. *This could be the last time we're together,* he thought. At breakfast the next morning, Karen handed him her room number and promised to call each night. "I love you," she said, kissing his cheek. "I love you too," Jason replied, his mind elsewhere. He gave her the room number and called Jerry. "I'll get to work on
it," Jerry assured him. Later, Karen called from the airport. "I'll check in once I'm settled." "Thanks," Jason replied, his voice strained. "I love you," she said, and he couldn't help but think, *Yeah, I miss you too—lying to my face*—but he only said, "I'll miss you too." When he looked up, his father stood in the doorway, concern in his eyes. "You okay, son?" his father asked. Jason sighed. "I don't know, Dad." His father nodded and led him to the study. Jason explained everything he'd uncovered. "That doesn't sound like her at all," his father said, disbelief in
his voice. "I can't imagine Karen doing this." "Neither can I," Jason muttered. "If you need anything, we're here for you," his father reassured him. "Thanks, Dad," Jason said, grateful for his support. Later that afternoon, Jason left work early and headed to the airport to track down Karen's car. He found it parked in the short-term lot and retrieved the recorder. The car was exactly as he expected—clean and organized, just like Karen always kept it. On the drive home, his phone rang. "Hey baby," Karen's voice chirped. "Just wanted to let you know I made it." "I'm glad
to hear it," Jason said, his tone steady. "I'm getting settled in. I'll call you tonight. Love you!" "I love you too," he replied, though his heart wasn't in it. When he got home, he plugged in the audio recorder, hoping for silence. But halfway through, his world tilted on its axis. He could hear Karen's phone ring through the car's Bluetooth, the conversation clear. "Hey baby," a man's voice said. "Hello, stallion," Karen responded with a flirtatious giggle. "You're such a stud." Jason's heart dropped. "What the hell is..." going on, he thought, stunned. "I can't wait to see
you again," the man continued. "Last week was amazing." "I'm glad you liked it," Karen giggled again. "So, are we set for next week?" "Next week?" Jason muttered in shock. "Yeah, it's all set," the man replied. "Did you tell your husband?" "Not yet," she said, sounding too calm. "Don't worry. I've got it all under control. He doesn't know anything." "Right." "Nope," Karen said, the words chilling. "He's too oblivious. I can tell him anything and he'll believe it." Jason's hands clenched around the recorder; his thoughts spun. She's planning something next week, and I'm not involved. This is
the week of our 10th anniversary. The man's voice interrupted his thoughts. "I'm almost at the airport now. I'll see you at the hotel tonight, okay?" "I can't wait," Karen replied, excitement in her voice. "Bye, love." "Bye," she said, ending the call. Jason sat motionless, staring at the recorder in disbelief. He played it again, hoping it was a mistake, but no, it was as clear as day. She was having an affair, and it wasn't a one-time thing. She was even planning something for their anniversary week. How long has this been happening? Who is this guy? He
grabbed a beer from the fridge and slumped into his chair, trying to make sense of it all. Had he really been so blind to the signs? What else had she hidden from him? He had always respected Karen's privacy, but now everything had changed. He knew where she kept the key to her office, so he went to the bedroom and found it in a drawer in her jewelry box. With a sense of entitlement he had never felt before, he unlocked her desk and began to sift through the papers inside. He was shocked by what he found.
Among the documents, he found bank statements: Karen had been saving far more than she ever admitted. She had over $250,000 hidden away, and it wasn't just money; it was the purchases that told a story. A receipt for a men's Rolex watch. Jason didn't remember ever receiving something like that, but maybe her lover did. She'd also bought revealing lingerie items he'd never seen before. But it didn't stop there. Buried beneath the receipts was something that hit him like a ton of bricks: medical bills from Planned Parenthood. Karen had been pregnant twice in the last 2 years
and had terminated both pregnancies, paying cash out of her personal account. Jason's stomach churned. Had one of those pregnancies been his? Then he found the receipt for Plan B pills purchased just a few days earlier, after one of their intimate nights. The final nail in the coffin came when he found a receipt for a large down payment on an apartment in an upscale neighborhood. Was she planning to move out, or was this where she and her lover would escape to? Jason's mind raced. He examined the keys on her key ring, wondering if one was for
the apartment. He'd find out soon enough. He powered on her computer, determined to uncover whatever else she was hiding. The passwords list was his next target. Jason accessed Karen's computer and easily logged into her email. Scrolling through, he quickly discovered several messages from Greg Wilson that detailed their sexual encounters. Karen's responses were almost identical each time. The emails, some nearly a year old, lined up with the period when Jason had first noticed changes in Karen's behavior. Initially, their meetings had been in hotel rooms, but it seemed they later moved their trysts to houses Karen was
selling. Then Jason found an email from about 6 months ago that gave him a partial answer to a question that had been bothering him. "Did you take care of that little issue?" Greg had asked. "Yes," Karen replied. "I went and had an termination today." "Too bad you didn't keep him," Greg responded. "You could have passed him off as Jason's." "I can't do that," Karen replied. "He thinks I can't have kids; he'd know it wasn't his." Jason's mind raced. He remembered that conversation; it was around the time he'd caught her in a lie. She's been lying
to me for months, he thought, his anger boiling. What a deceitful, manipulative woman. The emails kept coming. At one point, Greg suggested they have sex in Karen's marital bed, but Karen shot down the idea. "I won't do that to Jason," she wrote. Greg persisted. "That idiot doesn't have a clue, does he?" "No," Karen responded. "I'm not doing that." Greg then proposed an idea: "What if you had your own apartment? You could use the commissions to pay for a place, and Jason would never notice." Karen seemed to entertain the thought. "You might be onto something," she
replied. "I have my own account, and Jason never asks about it. I'll see what's available." That had been about 3 months ago. The receipt for the apartment down payment was just over a month old. "I bought a condo," she emailed him. "I made the down payment, and new furniture is coming next week. Jason doesn't know anything." Greg's reply was enthusiastic: "Perfect! We'll have to break in every room." Jason leaned back in his chair, staring at the screen in disbelief. The whole situation was beyond what he could have imagined. He kept reading. Greg eventually asked, "Why
stay with your husband? Why not just leave him and move in with me?" "I still have feelings for him," Karen responded. "He treats me well. I bought the condo so we have a private place to meet without worrying about hotel rooms." "Besides, you're still married," Greg then promised he'd leave his wife in a heartbeat. Karen asked him to. "We'll see after the conference," Karen said. Jason froze. What conference? he thought, a sick feeling in his stomach. He was... About to print the emails and save the receipts when the phone rang. It was Karen. "Hey, baby,"
she said sweetly. "How's everything? You sound off." "I've got a terrible headache," Jason said, trying to keep his cool. "I just wanted to let you know I'm getting ready for bed," Karen said. "Take something for your headache and get some rest." "I love you." "Yeah, me too," Jason muttered, hanging up quickly. He clenched his fist. She has no idea how close I am to exposing her. After the call, Jason decided he needed to find out more about this Greg guy. A quick search on Karen's work website revealed that Greg Wilson was her regional manager, so
she was having an affair with her boss. Jason printed the page, adding it to the pile of evidence, but he couldn't calm down. He needed answers, and he was going to find them. He checked the address for Karen's new condo and found a series of numbers listed under "alarm system" in her paperwork. Of course, she wrote it down, he thought, grabbing latex gloves from the garage. He wasn't leaving any trace. He found the apartment complex easily and parked in her spot. With gloves on, he tried the key that matched and stepped inside. He quickly disabled
the alarm using the code he'd found. The place was well decorated, and Jason had to admit Karen had good taste. Too bad her loyalty isn't as strong as her design skill, he muttered. Of course, there were no photos of him. This was clearly her getaway, a place to escape their marriage. As he wandered through, he noted that there was nothing in the fridge, and the pantry was empty. The apartment was furnished with sleek, modern pieces, and the living room had a large flat-screen TV. When he entered the bedroom, he immediately noticed the lace curtains she
loved, hanging elegantly down to the floor. He glanced down, noticing that the curtains were hanging over the electric heater, and wondered if she'd ever considered the fire risk. He opened the dresser drawers, finding lingerie he'd never seen as well as men's underwear. He took pictures with his phone, documenting everything. In the nightstand, he found a card from Greg. It read, "Thanks for the watch. Can't wait for your housewarming party. Love, Greg." Fury surged through him. He took a few more pictures, including shots of the toothbrushes in the bathroom and the "for him" and "for her"
towels on the rack. This was a full-fledged affair. In the second bedroom, there was a desk with some utility bills addressed to Karen. Jason photographed them, noting the address. The windows here were also covered with lace curtains, again hanging over the heater—a fire hazard. He also spotted safety issues: a very old smoke detector in the kitchen and none in the bedrooms. He made sure everything was exactly as it had been when he entered. Once he finished, he reactivated the security system, locked the door, and left. He sat in his car for a while, reflecting on
what he just uncovered. Divorce seemed inevitable now. Even if Karen ended things with Greg and sold the condo, he could never trust her again. Financially, he knew men often lost in divorce settlements, but he had an advantage: Karen made far more money than he did, and he hoped that would help him avoid paying alimony. He planned to consult a lawyer before making any moves, hoping the fact that the condo was only in Karen's name would mean he wouldn't have to sell their house or split it. She had already made it clear that she was no
longer committed to their marriage when she secretly bought the condo. No kids meant no custody battles, but Jason still wanted to make sure Karen and Greg faced consequences for their betrayal. Jason had ruled out violence; he didn't want to end up in jail. Back at his place, he looked up Gregory Wilson in the phone book, hoping it was the same Greg. After dialing the number, a woman's voice answered. "Wilson residence," she said. "Is this Mrs. Wilson?" Jason asked. "Yes, it is," she replied. "Who am I speaking with?" "My name is Jason Chandler," he said. "Your
husband is the regional manager at Acme Real Estate," Jason asked. "Yes, he is," she answered. "But he's at a conference this weekend and will be visiting other offices next week. You'll need to contact the regional office and leave a message there." "Actually, Mrs. Wilson, I'm hoping to speak with you," Jason said. "Oh?" she responded, sounding surprised. "Yes, ma'am," Jason continued. "I'm afraid I have some bad news. My wife is having an affair with your husband." "Are you sure about that?" she asked, clearly taken aback. "I'm certain," Jason said, "and I can prove it." "Do you
have solid evidence?" she inquired. "I can even show you where they meet if you'd like," Jason offered. He could hear her sigh on the other end. "Would tomorrow work?" she asked after a pause. "Sure," Jason replied. "What time is good for you?" "Let’s say 1 p.m.," she suggested. Jason gave her the address to Karen's apartment and offered clear directions. "I'll see you then," he said, ending the call with a sense of satisfaction. Once the conversation was over, he sat at his desk and made a to-do list. The first item was clear: change the locks. He
planned to get that done before meeting Greg's wife, though he briefly considered getting drunk. He quickly pushed the thought aside and grabbed a cold slice of pizza instead, using the time to mentally prepare for what lay ahead. Once finished, he climbed the stairs to bed. The next morning, Jason woke up early, headed to the hardware store, and bought everything he needed to change the locks, as well as a copy of the key. To the apartment by noon, the locks were all replaced. After a quick shower, he grabbed his audio recorder and the printed emails from
Karen's account. He was ready to meet Greg's wife. Upon arriving at Karen's apartment, he noticed a woman in a Toyota Corolla nearby. He approached the car and knocked on the window. The woman rolled it down and looked at him. "Are you Christy Wilson?" he asked. She nodded. "Yes, you must be Jason Chandler," she replied. "Yep, that's me," he said, opening the car door for her. "Come with me, and I'll show you where they've been meeting. Just put these on first," Jason added, handing her a pair of latex gloves. "I don't want any fingerprints left behind."
"Good idea," she agreed, slipping the gloves on. They walked toward the door, and Jason used the new key to open it. The security alarm deactivated as they stepped inside. Jason led her through the apartment, opening drawers and a closet to reveal Greg's clothes. "Oh my God," Christy gasped, her voice trembling. "I've been looking for these clothes for weeks! I had no idea where they were disappearing to." "Has he been wearing a Rolex lately?" Jason asked. Christy nodded. "Yes, he said it was a gift from his company." Jason shook his head and pulled out a card
from Karen's nightstand. He opened it and showed it to her. Christy read the note, her eyes welling up with tears. "Is this his handwriting?" Jason asked. "Yes," Christy sobbed. Jason then pulled out the emails he had printed, turned on the recorder, and played the audio from the previous Friday. "I'm sorry about all of this," Jason said, offering her a sympathetic hug. She wiped her tears. "It's not your fault," she replied. "I've suspected something was going on, but I didn't have any concrete proof." After a while, Christy regained some composure and asked, "So, what's your plan?"
"I'm divorcing her," Jason said bluntly. "Are you?" Christy asked, her voice firm. "Because as soon as I see that fool, I'm throwing him out of the house." Christy suddenly stopped crying and gave him a sly smile. "I've got an idea." "What is it?" Jason asked, intrigued. "They want to live here together, right?" she said. "Why don't we help them out?" Jason frowned, unsure. "What do you mean?" "I mean, why don't we pack up their things and move them in here?" she suggested, her tone filled with mischief. Jason thought for a moment and then grinned. "I
like that idea, but we better hurry. They'll be back in a day or two." She shook her head. "Greg said he'd be gone for a week after the conference. I'm willing to bet Karen will find an excuse to leave too." Suddenly, Jason remembered the recorded conversation. Karen had asked him if he had everything ready for next week, but she hadn't specified what they had planned. "Crap," he muttered, realizing she was probably right. "I guess you're right. Still, I want her stuff out of my house as soon as possible." "I'm with you," Christy said. "Let’s meet
back here in 3 hours." "Sounds good," Jason replied. "I'll throw her things in trash bags. I'll be back in 3." "See you then," Christy said, getting up. As Jason watched her leave, he couldn't help but notice her appearance. She was shorter than Karen, with a slender frame and a cute smile. He couldn't understand how Greg had cheated on this woman. They drove to their respective homes and then returned 3 hours later, their cars loaded with bags of Karen and Greg's belongings. They tossed the bags into the second bedroom, not bothering to care about anything breaking
in the process. "I didn't bother with Greg's stuff," Christy said nonchalantly. "Me neither," Jason laughed. They shared a high five, and then Jason looked at her with a grin. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving," he said. "Same here," she replied. "I could really go for a big juicy burger." "A big fat cheeseburger sounds perfect," Jason said. "I know just the place," she said. "Let me treat you." "Lead the way," Jason replied. They drove toward the bar he and Ron often visited. Once parked, Christy looked up at the building. "Are you sure about this
place?" she asked skeptically. "Trust me," Jason said. "They make the best burgers around. You'll love it." "All right," Christy said, still unsure. "Just don't go pouring me booze and taking advantage of me." Jason laughed, "As tempting as it sounds, I wouldn't do that to you." "Damn," she said, laughing too. They entered the bar and ordered beers, burgers, and fries. As they ate, they exchanged stories about their failed marriages. Christy's story was strikingly similar to his; she had met Greg in college, and they married soon after. But while she wanted children, he didn't. Greg started working
at Acme Real Estate, and Christy took a job in accounts receivable at a home remodeling company. "Are you a CPA?" Jason asked. She shook her head. "No, I never got that far, but it's something I hope to do eventually." Jason shared a bit about his own work. "We're always looking for good people. If you send me your resume, maybe we can help each other out." "I can do that, Mr. Chandler," she replied, taking a bite of her burger. Just then, his phone rang. He saw it was Karen calling and answered in a neutral tone. "Hello,"
he said. "Hey, baby," Karen's voice slurred; she'd clearly been drinking. "What are you up to?" "Just at the bar, having a burger," Jason answered. "Really? What's wrong with you?" she asked. "Guess what? I got the best salesman award!" "I'm happy for you," he replied, keeping his tone flat. "They want me to stay in Vegas next week to work with the agents," she continued. Jason immediately knew she was lying. "Isn't that great? They're even talking about..." "Promoting me to manager soon?" Jason thought. "Of course." "On her back? That's great," he said. "What about our anniversary? It's
coming up this Wednesday," she asked. "I know," Jason said. "But I understand maybe we can celebrate next weekend. Don't worry about it," he added. "I know how important your work is. I wouldn't want you to miss anything big." "What's that supposed to mean?" she asked. "Nothing," he said, trying to keep it together. "It's just that ten years of marriage doesn't come around every day, but I understand how much your job means to you. Don't worry about it." "Yes, my work is important," Karen said, "but I thought you'd be happy for me." "I'm very happy," Jason
said. "Go work with your agents. Don't worry about me." "I love you," she said. "Yeah, me too," he replied coldly. "Bye," she added before ending the call. Jason looked over at Christy. "So that's that." Christy shook her head. "She really chose Greg over your anniversary," she said, her hand resting on his. Jason fought back tears; a man he barely knew seemed to care more about him than his own wife did. "What a witch," he muttered. "I'm sorry," Christy said quietly. "Thanks," Jason replied, attempting a weak smile. He pulled out Jerry's business card and dialed the
private number. "Jerry," he said when the older man answered. "It's Jason Chandler. I just talked to Karen. She says she'll be in Vegas for another week." "And you don't believe her?" Jerry asked. "Not for a second," Jason replied. "I was just working on your report. I'll have my team watch them and see what they're up to." "We'll move forward with it," Jerry said. "I've also got something else for you: your wife and her lover spent the night together. I've got video footage of it. I'll send it over if you want, and it'll be in the
full report." "Sounds good," Jason said. "Thanks." He ended the call and turned to Christy. "Well, tomorrow we'll find out what's really going on," he said. "They spent the night together. My private investigator is going to send me the footage. Would you like to watch it with me?" Christy hesitated. "Not really," she said, "but I feel like I should." Jason nodded. "Let’s head to my place then." After paying for their meal, they left the bar and drove to Jason's house. By the time they settled into his office, the video had arrived in his email. "Would you
like something to drink before we watch this?" Jason asked. "Sure," Christy said. "Coca-Cola if you have it." "I'll grab one for you," he replied, heading to the kitchen. He returned with two cold Cokes, handing one to her. He started the video, and they both watched in silence as Karen and Greg engaged in various sexual acts. Both Jason and Christy struggled to hold back tears as they saw their spouses enjoying each other's company. What followed was even worse: the pillow talk. "So what do you think our spouses are doing now?" Karen asked. "If I know Christy,
she's probably watching some boring movie or reading one of her dumb books," Greg said. "Yeah, I get what you mean," Karen agreed. "I bet Jason's sitting there with his dumb spreadsheets or staring at stock reports." "You'd think he was trying to save the world or something. Hell, his dad's company sells tires, for Christ's sake! What's so important about that?" "So what are you going to say to that a-hole after the awards banquet tomorrow?" Greg asked. "I'll just tell him I have to stay in Vegas for a week to cover for the local reps. He'll believe
it," Karen said. "He'd believe anything I'd tell him. I could say the moon is made of green cheese, and he'd go along with it. And by the time he figures it out, we'll be on a beach in Hawaii," Greg said, grinning. "I can't wait to see you in that new bikini you bought." Christy's face contorted with rage. "Hawaii?" she screamed. "That fool's taking that promiscuous woman to Hawaii? I'm going to rip his balls off!" She turned to Jason. "Sorry for calling your wife a promiscuous woman." "You don't have to apologize," Jason said coldly. "I would
have called her the same thing." They continued watching, and Greg's voice came through again. "What about your anniversary? Are you just going to blow it off?" "Hawaii is way more interesting than a night at a steakhouse," Karen said. "I'll make it up to him later." Greg looked at her. "You know that, Karen." She shrugged. "It's just our tenth anniversary. There'll be others. I don't care about that," she added. "I need you now." With that, they began again, and Jason shut the video off. "I've seen enough," Jason said. Christy nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. "More
than enough," she whispered. "I'm meeting with a divorce lawyer on Monday," Jason said. "Do you want to come with me?" "Do you mind?" Christy asked quietly. "Not at all," Jason replied. Christy broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. Jason put his arm around her and let her cry on his shoulder, fighting his own emotions. He wanted to cry too, but he held back, comforting her the best he could. "Do you mind if I stay here tonight?" Christy asked. "No, that's fine. I just want to be held." "Of course you can stay," Jason said. "Stay as long as you
need." "Thank you," she said, her voice breaking. "I can't believe I spent all those years with him. I fell for all his lies." "I know exactly how you feel," Jason replied. He led her upstairs to the master bedroom and found an old T-shirt for her to wear to bed. Christy took it and went into the bathroom to change. While she was gone, Jason changed into his pajamas, then climbed into bed. Christy emerged from the bathroom. wearing the long t-shirt, and Jason almost gasped when he saw her. He'd always thought Karen had nice legs, but Christ,
were the thinnest, most graceful legs he'd ever seen. She smiled as she slid under the covers. "Something wrong?" she asked. "Never seen a woman's legs before?" "None as perfect as yours," Jason replied. "Flattery will get you everywhere, sir," she teased, her voice light. He pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her and inhaling the soft scent of her hair. She rested her hand on his chest, pressing herself closer. "You're the only woman I've been in bed with for over 10 years, besides my wife," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "And you're the only man
I've been with besides my husband," she replied just as softly. They locked eyes, and for a moment, it felt like time had stopped. They drifted to sleep in each other's arms, waking up the next morning tangled together. "Good morning, sleepyhead," Christy said, her voice still sleepy. Jason stirred and started to get out of bed to use the bathroom, but she added, "You don't have to get up on my account." "Good morning, beautiful," he replied, smiling. "I'll be right back after a quick trip to the bathroom," which was harder than usual due to the state of
his body. He returned to the kitchen; Christy had already cleaned up and was busy cooking scrambled eggs and bacon. Jason checked the clock; it was 8:30 a.m. He watched her move around in his oversized t-shirt and felt a pang of nostalgia for the mornings when Karen used to make him breakfast. "Damn, that smells amazing," he said, his stomach rumbling. "Hope you don't mind me making my home in your kitchen," she said, glancing over her shoulder at him. "Not at all," Jason replied, feeling strangely comforted. "I can't remember the last time someone made me breakfast." "Karen
never cooked for you?" she asked, looking at him with a hint of curiosity. "She did at first," he said, "but after a while, she stopped. Said it took too much time and she had to clean up for her clients." "Which," Christy muttered, the words slipping out before she could stop herself. "I agree," Jason said, his voice dry. Christy plated a generous portion of bacon and eggs and set it in front of Jason. He dove into the meal like he hadn't eaten in days. "Damn, that was good. You cook like this every morning?" he asked, looking
up at her. "Whenever I can," Christy replied with a grin. Just then, Jason's phone buzzed, breaking their quiet moment. He glanced at the screen and saw Jerry's name flashing. He picked it up. "Good morning, Jerry," Jason answered. "Working on a Sunday, huh?" Jerry's voice came through, accompanied by a laugh. "More than I'd like," Jason replied. "What's up?" "Just wanted to let you know your wife and her lover boarded their flight out of Las Vegas just before 6:00 a.m. They had a short layover in Los Angeles, but they're on their way to Honolulu now. They'll land
in about 5 hours. I've got all the flight details if you want them." "Yeah, I'll take it," Jason said, his tone cold and controlled. "They're on American Airlines flight 31," Jerry continued. "I have a contact in Honolulu who will track them when they land." "Thanks, Jerry," Jason said, jotting down the details. He hung up and turned to Christy. "Well, here we go. They're on their way to Hawaii," he said, his voice flat. Meanwhile, Karen was sitting back in her seat on the plane, staring out the window as the landscape below changed. The plane was cruising
over the Pacific Ocean. "This is it," she thought, a mix of excitement and guilt stirring inside her. She glanced over at Greg, who was already asleep beside her. For a moment, her mind wandered back to her marriage with Jason. She had been married for 10 years, and as she closed her eyes, the weight of what she was doing hit her hard. She thought about all the lies, the secrecy, and the betrayal of a man who had trusted her completely. The guilt gnawed at her for a moment, but then she pushed it aside. "This is for
me," she reasoned. "It had to be. Eventually, no one would know, and everything would go back to normal. Jason wouldn't find out. We'd keep going just like before, and someday we'd retire together." Her first lie had been telling Jason she couldn't have children. The truth was, she didn't want them. The thought of motherhood wasn't appealing to her at all, so she made up a story about medical issues. Jason believed her, and eventually, they both agreed not to have kids. She had complications with birth control, tried different methods, but in the end, she ended up pregnant
twice. The first time she had an interruption; she paid for it with her own money, quietly and discreetly—Jason was none the wiser. The second time she got pregnant by Greg. Again, she had an interruption, and again she paid for it herself. She hoped Jason would never find out about either of them. As for the affairs, she had been faithful for the first seven years of her marriage, but one day, everything changed. She met a charming, rich client, and before she knew it, they were in bed together. It wasn't something she did often—just a handful of
times over the next year and a half—but it felt exciting, and she didn't feel bad about it. She justified it by thinking, if others can do it and get away with it, why can't I? Jason didn't need to know. She still loved him, and what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. Then there was Greg—he was everything Jason wasn't. Jason was careful, calculating, a man with a set plan; Greg was spontaneous, adventurous, a man who made her feel alive. The other hand was spontaneous, living for the moment, while Jason had spent his life working for his
father. Greg was carefree, with no set career or future plans, but it wasn't just the differences in their lives that drew her to Greg; it was how he made her feel. Where Jason took his time and focused on her pleasure, Greg was quick, demanding, and raw. At first, their secret meetings were held at motels and hotels around town, or occasionally at the house they were trying to sell. But over time, she grew uneasy about being caught; someone might see them and alert either Jason or Greg's wife, Christe. The tipping point came one night when Jason
expressed his worry that their relationship was slipping away. Panicked, she pulled back from Greg, distancing herself emotionally. For a short time, she threw herself into her marriage, but it didn't last long. Greg, eager to start fresh, suggested they find a way to be together more openly, but she feared Jason might discover their affair. She needed a plan, so she decided to buy her own apartment. That way, she'd have a private space for her and Greg, separate from her life with Jason. Greg had suggested using the bed she shared with Jason, but she refused. Even though
Jason could be boring and predictable, she still had lingering feelings for him. Besides, the two of them had long agreed to file their taxes separately, which meant she could move out and still maintain some financial benefits. She convinced herself it was a win-win situation. This thinking eventually led her to plan a trip to Hawaii with Greg. She took a week off from work, telling everyone she was going with Jason after their annual company conference. Meanwhile, Greg informed his wife of his own travel plans for the week. Karen, however, lied to Jason, telling him she was
heading to Las Vegas. She was confident he wouldn't suspect anything; after all, a few phone calls would cover her tracks. Sure, she'd missed their 10th wedding anniversary, but she promised herself she'd make it up to him when she returned. Keeping the secret safe, as the plane soared toward Hawaii, she smiled, thinking about the trip ahead. Greg had bought her a daring bikini for the occasion, one that left little to the imagination. He planned to watch her undress on the beach and even imagined how it might feel to be the center of her attention. In that
moment, the thought made her feel hot and aroused, and she almost gave in to the temptation to touch herself right then; though she resisted, deciding to wait until later. Checking her phone for any messages or calls, she wasn't surprised to see no texts from Jason. He hated texting and preferred talking on the phone or in person. She chuckled to herself, feeling the plane shake as they hit some turbulence. The nose of the plane dipped, and the engine noise changed. Suddenly, she realized something was wrong when she saw the frantic movement of passengers around her. The
plane was plummeting. Panic surged through her and her heart raced. Oh God, she thought, this is it, we're going to crash, I'm going to die. Oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling, and the screams of other passengers filled the air as the flight attendants rushed to prepare everyone for impact. Karen looked at her phone, tears streaming down her face; she made one final decision. Meanwhile, Jason and Christe had just finished breakfast and were cleaning up the kitchen when they sat down to discuss their next steps regarding their cheating spouses. Jason found himself impressed by Christe's practical
and methodical approach to the situation. At that moment, he felt closer to her than he had to Karen in months. Just as he returned with a fresh cup of coffee, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Karen. "Hello?" he answered, putting it on speaker. "Jason," Karen's voice came through strained and filled with background noise. It sounded like a commotion was happening on her end. "Yeah, Karen, what's going on?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice. "Not... not time... airplane down!" Her words were abruptly cut off by static and shouting. Before Jason could process
what was happening, the line went dead. He stared at the phone in shock, then tried calling her back; the call went straight to voicemail. "Try Greg," he told Christe, who immediately grabbed her phone and called him. She came back a moment later, shaking her head. "Straight to voicemail," she said. Jason rushed to his home office, where he searched for the airline's number. After a few attempts, he finally reached someone who confirmed that they were investigating reports of a plane going down. He provided the details of both Karen and Greg's flights, leaving his contact information and
asking to be notified when more details emerged. He also passed on Christe's information. He quickly checked online, but there was no breaking news yet. They walked back to the living room, where Jason flipped through TV channels, but there was nothing. Yet, his phone buzzed again, and he was soon greeted by a news report about an American Airlines flight to Honolulu crashing into the Pacific Ocean. There were no specifics, just confirmation of the tragedy. Christe gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh God," she whispered, eyes wide with shock. Jason held her tightly, hoping against hope
that Karen had somehow survived despite everything she had done. He didn't want her to die. An hour later, Jason's phone rang again, interrupting their silent vigil. He turned off the TV and answered. "Mr. Chandler?" a woman's voice asked. "That's me," he said. "I'm calling to confirm that your wife's flight has crashed," she said, her tone somber. "I don't have any further details right now, but we'll get back to you as soon as we have more information." "You," Jason replied, his voice thick. He ended the call and hugged Christe again, tears welling in his eyes. Moments
later, Christe's phone rang, and she received the same confirmation. Soon after, his father called. Jason wasn't surprised; his parents often reached out when a big news story broke. "Hey, Jace," his father said. "Hey, Dad," Jason replied. "How are you doing?" "I just got back from church," his father continued. "Did you see the news about the plane crash?" "Yeah, I saw it," Jason said. "It's terrible. By the way, how's Karen doing? Isn't she on her way back from Vegas?" his father asked. Jason swallowed hard, the truth finally sinking in. "She's not doing so well right now,
Dad. She was on that plane that crashed." "What?" his father gasped. "What was she doing in Hawaii without you?" "She was with her boyfriend," Jason said, his voice breaking. "Oh my God," his father said, his voice filled with sympathy. "I'm so sorry to hear that, son. Listen, take some time off and deal with all of this. I'll talk to Mike and let him know. If you need anything, just give me a call." "Thanks, Dad," Jason said softly, his mind reeling. Jason ended the call, his emotions swirling. He felt sadness knowing that Karen was likely gone;
at the same time, anger burned within him—not just at her for the affair, but also at himself for not standing up to her. Oddly, he wasn't upset by the fact that her passing meant there would be no divorce, but the realization hit him quickly: he would have to handle all of Karen's final expenses, including the apartment. "Damn it," he thought. He turned to Christe, wondering how she would react to everything. What would she do next? A sudden idea popped into his mind, and he walked over to her. "Christe," he said, "how about you sell your
place and move in here with me?" She looked up, her eyes red from tears. "Are you serious?" she asked. "Yeah," Jason replied. "I've got an extra room upstairs, and you're going to have a lot to manage over the next few months. Maybe we can help each other through it." She paused, thinking it over. "Why not?" she said finally. "But there's one condition." "What's that?" he asked, puzzled. "You let me sleep with you," she said softly. Jason blinked in surprise. Everything was moving so quickly, and he wasn't sure if this was the right choice. But then
he pushed the doubt aside. "Are you sure?" he asked. "It's been years since I felt truly comfortable with my husband," she admitted. "But last night, for the first time in a long time, I felt satisfied. Is that okay with you?" "It's more than okay," Jason said, feeling an unexpected rush of relief. "Great," she said. "I'll go back to the house, grab my things, and be back tonight." "I'll be here," he replied. Once she left, Jason made a call to Lucy, the office manager where Karen worked. "Hello," Lucy answered. "Hi, Lucy, it's Jason Chandler." "Oh, hi,
Jason," she replied. "How is Hawaii?" Jason hesitated, his throat tight. "I don't know. I heard it's nice there." Lucy was confused. "I thought you two were going after the company meeting." "No," Jason corrected. "Karen went to Hawaii, but not with me; she went with Greg." "What?" Lucy exclaimed, clearly stunned. "Yeah," Jason said. "But neither of them made it. The plane they were on went down in the Pacific today. I'm sure you saw it on the news." "Oh my God," Lucy whispered. "Do you know if she—" "I don't think there are any survivors," Jason said flatly.
"I'm so sorry," Lucy said, her voice filled with sympathy. "I'll take care of the insurance paperwork. The company carries life insurance on all employees, so I'll need some information from the airline. Can you get that for me?" "Yeah, I'll get what I can," Jason said, his mind elsewhere. "But I have to ask: did you know about Karen and Greg?" Lucy sighed. "I had a feeling something was going on. There were rumors, but we don't really talk about that kind of thing." "I see," Jason muttered. "That's all I needed to know. I'll be in touch." "Thanks
for letting me know, Jason. And once again, I'm sorry for your loss," Lucy said before ending the call. Later that evening, while Jason and Christe were watching TV, a breaking news report flashed on the screen. It showed footage of the plane's final moments captured by a nearby cargo plane. The video showed the doomed flight spiraling out of control, plummeting nose first before disintegrating on impact with the ocean. The crew of the cargo ship had turned around to search for survivors but found none, though they did recover bodies and a large amount of luggage, including Karen
and Greg's things. However, neither of their bodies was found. In the months that followed, life for Jason and Christe was a blur of activity. Christe moved in with him and sold her house. Jason was left to deal with the aftermath of Karen's apartment, which held nothing of value to him. He donated everything to Goodwill and eventually sold the apartment, recouping the original amount Karen had paid for it. Both Jason and Christe received $500,000 insurance payouts from Acme Real Estate for the loss of their spouses. Christe quickly settled in, and they began to remove every trace
of Karen from Jason's life. Photos were tossed, knickknacks were packed away, and all the furniture was replaced, especially the bed. Family members took what they wanted, and the rest, along with the cars, was either sold, donated, or scrapped. Then came the long process of sorting through Karen's bank accounts. After months of paperwork, Jason finally received a check for about $250,000. Meanwhile, lawyers began circling, hoping to cash in on the accident. An investigation... Later, it was revealed that the flight crew had misinterpreted warning signals and made critical errors. The plane had been descending at a terrifying
rate of 12,000 ft per minute before it crashed into the ocean at around 135 mph. The whole descent lasted just over three minutes. Jason couldn't help but imagine how miserable those last moments must have been for Karen, especially as she realized the enormity of the situation. In his mind, it was too little, too late. Fortunately, the airline settled with the families, providing each passenger's relatives with over $175,000. Jason and Christe ended up with more than $1.6 million after taxes and other deductions; they still had a sizable fortune. With no bodies recovered, no funeral was held
for Karen or Greg. Jason and Christe, however, hosted small memorials for their families. Neither of them shed a tear for their late spouses. Three months later, Christe left her job and moved in with Jason permanently. By this point, their bond had deepened into a passionate relationship. One evening, while they were out for dinner at a Texas Roadhouse, Jason took a deep breath, got down on one knee, and proposed. Christe gasped in joy, and the surrounding diners cheered. "It's about time you made an honest woman of me," she whispered. Jason grinned. "Why's that?" he asked, still
smiling. "Because you're going to be a daddy," she replied, overcome with emotion. He kissed her passionately. "I love you so much," he murmured. "I love you more," she answered. "Just one favor." "What's that?" he asked. "Please, please don't ask me to fly anywhere," she said with a laugh. Jason chuckled, pulling her close. "Don't worry, honey," he reassured her. "I'm done with flying for a while."