My husband and I had just boarded our journey to Miami when I fell asleep on his shoulder. Later, I awoke to find my spouse gone and a mysterious man in his place! He quickly silenced me and said, “Your husband is not who he seems to be…”
Jerry took on that new job six months ago, and I knew it would be hard. I just didn’t anticipate it would consume him completely, making me feel like an unwanted piece of luggage in our marriage.
Late evenings and weekends away—our relationship was turning into a ghost town. Conversations were difficult, and whenever I mentioned us, his eyes glazed over with apathy. I felt like I was screaming into the nothingness.
So, when Jerry recommended we postpone our week-long vacation to Miami, I stayed firm.
“Everything’s already booked,” I informed him firmly. “We can’t cancel.”
“We have to,” he said abruptly. My project has reached a crucial phase. Or have you forgotten that some of us don’t have the luxury of living off investments?”
“Jerry, you know darn well that I don’t ‘live off my investments,’ like some trust fund baby,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I also work and have career aspirations and job responsibilities.”
He constantly brought up money when he didn’t get his way, and I wasn’t going to succumb to his tactics this time!
“Besides, your leave has already been approved and, like I said, we can’t cancel.”
Jerry let out a patient sigh. “Fine. It’s not like you’d miss the deposit if we did, but you’re the boss, right?
Do you see why we needed this getaway so badly? Jerry and I couldn’t go on like this anymore. We were living past each other, and it would damage our marriage if we didn’t do something about it right away.
I began packing instantly. That Friday, we piled our luggage into the car and drove to the airport. I was happy and even Jerry began to smile as we entered the building.
I regarded this as a favorable indication, but I soon realized it was anything but!
On the plane, I allowed tiredness to take over. Jerry’s shoulder appeared like a safe haven, a brief period of connection that I sorely sought. I awoke later, when the pilot informed that we were approaching our destination.
“I slept the whole flight?” I mumbled. “Baby, you should’ve…”
My words caught in my throat when I looked up and saw that the man beside me was not Jerry. Panic overcame me.
I straightened and was about to yell when he uttered something that turned my entire life upside down.
“Your husband is not who he seems to be. He’s lying to you.”
“What?” My heartbeat and bewilderment swirled through my mind. ““Stop being mysterious. Who are you and what the hell is going on?!”
“We don’t have much time. I saw you and your husband at the airport, and I thought you needed to know. When he returns to you in a few minutes, behave as usual.”
I stared at him, attempting to digest his words. “What do you mean?”
“I’m Michael. I met a girl named Sophie at the airport. I liked her, and flirted with her, but then I overheard her phone conversation with another man. They talked about him ditching his wife to spend time with her.”
“What’s that got to do with me?” I asked. “You can’t mean to suggest—”
“I saw you fall asleep on your husband’s shoulder soon after takeoff. Fifteen minutes later, I saw him get up and go to meet Sophie.” He gestured to the narrow arch at the end of the aisle. “They were flirting and acting like they’ve known each other for years. Your husband is the guy she spoke to on the phone.”
My world shattered.
I could not believe it. Was Jerry, my Jerry, cheating on me? I struggled to connect Michael’s statements with the image I had of my spouse. Could this be true?
“You can’t know that for sure,” I corrected you.
Michael smiled gently at me and placed his hand on my shoulder. “I could be wrong… but I don’t think I am. I’m sorry you had to find out this way.”
He slipped out of Jerry’s seat and went to an empty seat in the back of the cabin.
I was in such astonishment that I jumped when Jerry took Michael’s seat.
“You’re awake,” he said with a broad grin. “Ready for our holiday?”
All I could do was stare at him. He frowned slightly, but the speakers crackled again with the normal instructions for passengers to return to their seats and secure their seatbelts.
I determined then that I needed to see for myself whether Michael was correct. I decided to act normally, study Jerry, and confirm the truth.
When Jerry arrived in Miami, he was his normal charming self, engaging in lighthearted talks and loving gestures.
For a time, I questioned Michael’s story. But then Jerry received a phone call. He strolled out onto the balcony to take it, but quickly returned with a terrible expression on his face.
“Sorry, honey, but I have to fly home immediately. There’s an emergency with the project. But I’ll be back by Wednesday, I swear.”
My heart sunk, but I hid my pain and skepticism by trying to understand and support him.
“Of course, I understand. Work is important,” I said, forcing a smile.
“Thanks, Jess. I knew you’d get it,” Jerry replied, kissing my forehead.
He grabbed his luggage, which he hadn’t yet begun unpacking, and dashed for the door. As soon as Jerry exited the room, I dashed after him.
I had to know the truth, even if it meant hurting my heart. I maintained a safe distance as I followed Jerry downstairs. He got into a taxi parked at the entrance. I instantly got into a taxi and requested the driver to follow Jerry.
It quickly became evident that Jerry was not going to the airport. My heart fell when his cab arrived outside a beautiful hotel.
And suddenly my worst worries were confirmed.
A stunning redhead woman wearing a bikini and sarong dashed up to Jerry and pushed herself into his arms. He whirled her around, laughing, and then kissed her.
I felt angry, heartbroken, and betrayed, but I kept my cool. This was the decisive time. I was not going to allow Jerry keep fooling me.
I paid the driver and entered the hotel, my thoughts racing with a plan.
I went out to the bar near the pool and waited. Soon, Jerry and Sophie appeared. They sat on loungers near the pool, laughing and acting like a happy couple.
The sight of them together made my stomach churn, but I remained calm and ordered a cocktail. When Jerry went away and jumped into the pool, I approached Sophie with my drink.
I paused near her chair and looked down at her, laying in the sun with her eyes closed and skin shining with tanning oil. She wouldn’t have seen this coming.
With a flip of my wrist, I threw my entire drink over Sophie, including the ice blocks. She shrieked like a piglet as the chilly liquid splattered on her.
“Whoopsy,” I admitted, striving to maintain a straight face.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” She snapped and jumped to her feet. “Learn to look where you’re going, moron!”
I was caught away by the anger in her voice, but before I could respond, a familiar voice appeared behind me.
“Sophie, darling, what’s wrong?” Jerry shoved past me and rushed to Sophie’s side.
“So you are having an affair,” I said.
Jerry’s head snapped up as I spoke. His stare was riveted on me, and I saw the blood draining from his face.
“Oh my God, Jessica?” “What are you doing here?”
“Catching you red-handed, you lying cheater!”
“This is your wife?” Sophie asked, eyeing me up and down. “That’s great. Now, we can finally be together, Jerry.” She turned to him, starry-eyed. “You can dump her, and we can start our new life together, just like you promised.”
I gazed at Sophie and felt a thrill of pride. “You think you’ll be living the high life with Jerry? Good luck with that. Everything is in my name. You’ll have to live on his charm alone.”
Sophie’s face fell, and she rounded on Jerry
“You told me everything was yours! You said we’d be set!”
Jerry tried to ignore her, his eyes pleading with me. “Jessica, please, let’s talk about this.”
I shook my head, my voice steady. “There’s nothing left to talk about, Jerry. It’s over.”
I turned and walked away, my heart heavy but resolute.
When I got back home, I promptly filed divorce proceedings. I also phoned Michael to express my gratitude for his honesty and assistance.
We met for supper a few days later, and I felt safe in his presence.
“Thank you for everything,” I replied, looking into his eyes. “I’d still be living a lie if you hadn’t approached me on the plane.”
Michael smiled and reached across the table to hold my hand. “I’m just glad I could help.”
As we completed supper, I sensed a relationship forming. It wasn’t the storybook conclusion I had hoped for, but it was authentic and honest.
The vacation to Miami was not the romantic rekindling I had hoped for, but it marked the beginning of a journey of self-discovery and endurance.
I moved away from a toxic marriage, stood up for myself, and found the strength to begin again. In the process, I found that the most unexpected endings may lead to the best beginnings.
