One evening, I decided to surprise my husband at his new workplace. Instead, I was the one shocked to learn he had told his female colleagues I was just the nanny. My heart shattered, and anger brewed within me. That’s when I devised a plan to make him regret every deceitful word.
I never thought I’d be the one to say this, but here goes: my husband of 15 years cheated on me. But I didn’t let him get away with it. Let me tell you how it all started.
A woman thinking about something | Source: Pexels
I’m Sabina, 38 years old, married to Kieran. I met him in high school. He was one of those kids who loved playing basketball, while I was the shy girl who wanted to read books all the time.
Our paths met during a science class when Kieran couldn’t understand how photosynthesis worked. Since I was one of the kids with the best grades, he approached me, asking me to explain it to him.
I agreed, and that’s where our story began.
Two students looking at each other | Source: Midjourney
After high school, we went to different colleges. I chose to study literature at a university across the state, while Kieran pursued business closer to home. Despite the distance, our relationship flourished. We made time for long phone calls, weekend visits, and sweet care packages filled with inside jokes and memories.
When we graduated, Kieran surprised me. On a crisp autumn evening, he took me to the park where we had our first date.
A couple in a park | Source: Pexels
Suddenly, he got down on one knee and said, “Sabina, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?” My heart soared, and without hesitation, I said yes.
Our wedding was intimate and beautiful. Close family and friends gathered to celebrate our love. I remember looking into Kieran’s eyes as we said our vows, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world. Little did I know that my marriage wouldn’t last forever.
A bride and groom holding hands | Source: Pexels
Now, we have two amazing kids, Victor, 12, and Ashley, 8. For years, I’ve been a stay-at-home mom, dedicating my life to our family. I loved every minute of it, even when it was exhausting.
Kieran and I used to be inseparable. But over time, things changed. His work commitments grew, and he spent less and less time at home. Still, I never doubted his love for us. That is, until last week.
A man working in his office at night | Source: Midjourney
Kieran had recently started a new job. One evening, he called to say he’d be working late. So, I decided to surprise him with dinner at his office. Little did I know, I was in for a surprise myself.
I arrived at his workplace, a sleek modern building downtown. The receptionist, Priscilla, a young woman with perfectly styled hair, greeted me with a smile.
“Hi, I’m here to see Kieran,” I said, returning her smile.
Priscilla’s eyes lit up with recognition.
A serious woman | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, you must be Sabina, the kids’ nanny!” she said. “I’ve seen your photos. Let me call him for you.”
My heart stopped. Nanny? Did she just say nanny? Before I could correct her, she was already on the phone.
“Hey, darling, come to the reception. Sabina is here.”
At that moment, I felt like the ground had opened up beneath me. Darling? My husband’s coworker was calling him darling? My mind raced, trying to make sense of what was happening.
A woman standing in her husband’s office | Source: Midjourney
I wanted to scream, to cry, to run away. But I stood there, frozen, as the pieces fell into place.
Kieran appeared moments later, and his face turned pale when his gaze landed on me. “Sabina,” he stammered, “what are you doing here?”
I held up the bag of food, my hand shaking. “Surprise!” I chirped. “Your wife’s here with your favorite meal!”
Then, I turned towards Priscilla and noticed the confusion on her face.
Close-up of a woman’s face | Source: Midjourney
“Kieran, you said you don’t have a wife!” she yelled at my husband. “You’re such a big liar! You told me Sabina is your nanny and that you’re a single dad raising your kids alone.”
“Priscilla, please, calm down,” he said. “Let me expl—”
“Explain what? That you were giving me false hopes? That I’m your mistress?”
“You know what?” I turned to Kieran, forcing a smile. “I’m resigning from the position of nanny for your children. Enjoy your dinner!”
I kept the bag on the reception and walked out, leaving behind a stunned Kieran and his bewildered mistress.
A woman walking out of a building | Source: Midjourney
However, I broke down as soon as I reached my car. Tears streamed down my face as I gripped the steering wheel, my world crumbling around me.
But as I drove home, sadness gave way to anger. How dare he cheat on me while pretending to love me so much? I could have sent him the divorce papers at that point, but I wanted to teach him a lesson he’d remember forever.
The next morning, I woke up early. Kieran had come home late and was still fast asleep.
A man sleeping | Source: Pexels
I quickly packed a bag, left a note on the kitchen counter that simply said, “The nanny quit, so now you’re the nanny!” and drove off to a beachside resort.
For three days, I lounged by the pool, walked on the beach, and tried to clear my head. I called Victor every day to check in.
“How’s your dad managing?” I asked on the third day.
Victor sighed. “He’s terrible, Mom. He burned the eggs this morning, and Ashley’s room looks like a tornado hit it.”
A boy using his phone | Source: Pexels
I couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll be home soon, sweetie. Love you.”
When I returned home, Kieran was a mess. His hair was disheveled, dark circles under his eyes. The house wasn’t much better.
“Sabina,” he said, relief evident in his voice. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been trying to call you-“
I cut him off. “Save it. How was your time as the nanny?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I…. I got fired. I couldn’t manage work and the kids. Sabina, I had no idea how much you do every day. I’m so sorry for everything. I’ve cut all ties with Priscilla and the others. Please, can we talk about this?”
A man standing in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney
I walked to my bag and pulled out a manila envelope.
“The others? So, that means Priscilla wasn’t the only one who thought I was a nanny.” I placed the envelope on the kitchen island. “These are divorce papers. You’ve got two hours to pack your things and leave.”
His face crumpled. “Sabina, please. I love you. It was a mistake. I’ll do anything-“
An envelope on a kitchen island | Source: Midjourney
“You should have thought about that before you decided to erase 15 years of marriage,” I interrupted. “Before you decided to make me the nanny so you could impress some young receptionist.”
“I was stupid,” he pleaded. “I got caught up in the attention. But I love you, I love our family.”
I felt tears pricking at my eyes but blinked them away. “Love? You don’t even know the meaning of the word.”
Close-up of a woman’s face | Source: Midjourney
“Love is waking up at 3 a.m. to soothe a crying baby,” I continued. “Love is sacrificing your career to raise a family. Love is being faithful, Kieran. What did you do? That’s not love.”
He tried to reach for my hand, but I pulled away. “Please, Sabina. Give me another chance. I’ll do better, I promise.”
I shook my head. “I gave you chances every day for the past few years when you came home late when you missed family dinners, and when you forgot our anniversary. I’m done giving chances.”
A woman talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney
“What about the kids?” he asked, his voice breaking.
“We’ll work out a custody arrangement,” I replied, my resolve firm. “But you’re not living here anymore.”
As Kieran packed his things, I sat at the kitchen table, my emotions a swirling mess. Part of me wanted to forgive him, to try and salvage our marriage. But a stronger part knew I deserved better. My kids deserved better.
A boy and his sister | Source: Midjourney
When Kieran came downstairs with his bags, he looked at me one last time. “I’m sorry, Sabina. I really am.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. As the door closed behind him, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. It felt like the end of a chapter, but also the beginning of a new one.
That night, as I tucked Victor and Ashley into bed, Victor asked, “Mom, is Dad coming back?”
I smoothed his hair back. “No, sweetie. Dad made some big mistakes, and he needs to live somewhere else now.”
A man walking away with a luggage bag | Source: Pexels
“Are you sad?” Ashley piped up, her big eyes full of concern.
I smiled at my little ones. “A little. But I have you two, and that makes me very happy.”
As I closed their bedroom door, I realized something. Yes, my husband had betrayed me. Yes, my heart was broken. But I was stronger than I ever knew. I had raised two wonderful children while managing a household, and now, I was ready to start a new chapter in my life.
A woman looking outside a window | Source: Pexels
So here I am, sharing my story. To all the women out there who’ve been undervalued, cheated on, or taken for granted, please know your worth. You are not a nanny, not a maid, not an afterthought. You are strong, you are valuable, and you deserve respect.
