The husband and his mistress were having a carefree beach vacation while the wife was bringing heavy grocery bags home and watching the kids. But the trip came to an abrupt end when he froze in fear after receiving a message on his phone with pictures 
The husband was sleeping on his side, leisurely staring out to sea. Beside him lay the mistress. She was wearing sunglasses, had sunscreen all over her skin, and had a subtle smile on her lips all the time—the smile of someone who always manages to get away with everything. She turned to face him without removing her glasses, propped herself up on one elbow, and asked sarcastically:
“And your wife… that stupid woman had no suspicions at all?”
He shrugged and grinned as though it were a silly question.
“No. She is not concerned about it.
“How does it not concern her?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. “You mean she’s at home? You’re here with me, too. Was she really feeling nothing?
He spoke in a cool, almost languid voice, stretching as though the subject was boring him:
She’s too busy to do that. She never stops being occupied. Daycare, homework, cooking, and laundry are all planned. That, in her opinion, is the main purpose of life. and that everything is good between us.
The mistress gave a quiet snort.
“Easy. Such a wife is an ideal. She bears the weight of everything while you unwind. But tell me,” she said, carefully removing her sunglasses and meeting his gaze. “When are you going to get a divorce from her?”
He didn’t look away, as if he had been anticipating that inquiry for a while.
“Soon.” Very soon.
She chuckled, “How long have you been saying that?” “A year? Two? I can’t wait forever since I’m not twenty.
“I said soon,” he firmly replied. “I must complete everything accurately. Without dispute.
The mistress narrowed her eyes.
“Of course. I take it that she continues to endure everything while remaining silent? She won’t go, you know that.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a second thought came to him. At home, his wife really carried everything alone. She dragged large bags from the shop in the mornings, spent the day handling the kids’ problems incessantly, and then fell asleep in the evenings without even eating enough. And because he was so used to it, he had stopped noticing. He thought it was usual.
The mistress responded, almost softly but with a chill in her voice, while adjusting and stretching a lock of hair:
“All right. I will purchase some water. Don’t get bored; stay here.
She got up, grabbed her beach bag, and headed for the café. The spouse stayed beneath the palm tree. He looked at the water, then at his phone on the blanket next to him.
And just then, a message came through. from his spouse.
He didn’t even tighten up at first. More troubles, he thought, something concerning the children again. He was ready to sigh impatiently when he opened the conversation. But there was only one image.
He tapped it and was appalled by what he saw
It was a screenshot taken during a conversation. And he immediately knew who owned it. It was a familiar number.
The mistress was speaking. with a different man.
His fingertips were immediately cold. After reading the first line, he was astounded.
“Avoid being connected. The money is the sole reason I’m with him.
He blinked. Read it once more. and began to scroll down.
“This bald guy believes that I adore him.” I don’t give a damn. The fact that he pays and drives me around is what matters most. I have no intention of living with him.
He started breathing shallowly. His heart was thumping in his chest. Instinctively, he covered his mouth with his palm, as if he was afraid a sound may escape.
“There is another use for you. I enjoy myself with you, but he’s the one with the money. Don’t text me when he’s with me. We also exclusively meet in secret.
His eyes darkened. As he sat there looking at the screen, it dawned on him that he had been nothing more than a wallet.
And that wasn’t even the worst part.
The worst part was that his wife knew everything.
Beneath the picture, he spotted the message. His wife sent him a brief note, free of panic, yelling, or lengthy justifications.
To me, everything made sense. Besides, you’re not hers. You are only one of many to her. Now, make your own decision about where to reside.
