Discovery and Decision

I knew Claire was cheating on me. The late-night texts, sudden work trips, and secretive phone calls were obvious. We had been married so long that I no longer had any feelings for her. But I relied on her salary to keep things afloat, so I kept quiet, fearing financial ruin if we divorced.

The Revelation

One day, I found a receipt from a fancy restaurant in her jeans. The name on it? Alex M—, her father’s friend. I laughed bitterly. Things made sense now. Claire’s secret lover was funding our lifestyle.

The Plan

I found old messages between Claire and Alex on her phone. Claire confessed to a friend, “I still love Tom, but we needed the money. Alex is just a means to an end.” I decided to use this to my advantage. I called Alex and demanded $50,000 to walk away and let him have Claire.

The Deal

After a tense 48-hour wait, Alex agreed. “It’s done,” he said. I saw the money in my account. That night, I handed Claire divorce papers. “It’s over, Claire,” I said. “I know about Alex.” She was shocked, but I was ready to move on.

A New Beginning

I left with a duffel bag and checked into a cheap motel, feeling free for the first time in years. Claire’s texts kept coming, but I ignored them. Tomorrow was a new day, and for the first time in a long while, I was looking forward to it.