Seven years ago, Carlos and I got married. We have a little boy. I always considered my husband to be a calm, hard-working, and responsible man from the day we got married. Carlos worked at an office, while I sold goods online and had a steady income. We both put money into a shared account every month to pay for things around the house. But since I was doing better in the business, the bank card was mostly in my name. I never thought Carlos would use the PIN, but he did know it.
Carlos had changed a lot in the last few weeks. He was often late getting home, and he always had an excuse like working late or meeting with clients. He always had his phone in his hands and wouldn’t let anyone else use it. I was getting more and more suspicious, but I had no proof.
While he was showering one night, his phone rang. I quickly read the message that said, “Don’t forget to bring your passport; we’re going on vacation tomorrow; I’m so excited!”
I felt a heavy weight in my heart. I opened the conversation with shaking hands and saw that he had already ordered plane tickets and booked a fancy hotel, all paid for with my credit card.
I
I couldn’t sleep that night since I was thinking about how to catch him. I didn’t want to make a commotion at home and upset our son, but I also couldn’t allow him and his girlfriend to waste the money I worked hard for. And then I thought of the ideal plan.
Carlos
I made myself smile and said, “Uh-huh.”
While everything was going on, I quietly called a buddy who works at the airport and asked her to check on his flight. She soon confirmed that Carlos had ordered tickets to Cancún that left at midday.
I decided to go to the airport. I didn’t want to make a scene; I just wanted to see it with my own eyes so he couldn’t dispute it later.
I knew it would happen. He came out holding hands with a beautiful, well-dressed young woman, as if they were a joyful couple. I clasped my hands firmly to keep my anger in check.
An official abruptly stopped them just as they were ready to go through immigration after they had checked in. His voice was chilly and firm: “I’m sorry, but the card used to buy these tickets looks like it was stolen. We need both of you to come to the office with us so we can explain what’s going on.
Carlos stopped moving, and his face went pale. The young woman stared at him, scared, and asked, “What’s wrong?” You told me that everything was set up, right?
I walked forward and calmly remarked, “That card is mine.” He took it without asking you to go on vacation with him.
There was a lot of noise in the whole neighborhood. People were looking at us with disgust and whispering to each other.
Carlos could barely say, “I…” “I just wanted to give her a ride; I didn’t mean any harm.”
I laughed bitterly and said, “Without bad intentions?” Are you also taking money from your wife and child to spend on your lover?
He couldn’t say anything. The immigration officer made him sign a paper that said the matter could be sent to the prosecutor’s office for using a bank account in the wrong way.
The young woman glanced at him angrily and yelled, “You said you were rich, but it turns out it was all your wife’s money!” “You tricked me!”
And she left him there, feeling completely ashamed of him.
I gazed at him one final time. I was in pain, but I also felt strong. “There is nothing left between us from now on.” You handle the results.
I turned around and went, leaving behind his sad eyes.
I cried that day, but I also felt free. I knew that a man who could betray his family’s trust and waste his wife’s money on another woman did not deserve to be forgiven.
I went home and held my son close. He grinned naively, oblivious of what had happened. And I promised myself that I would be stronger from now on and only give him my love.
A nasty husband can leave you, but you should never lose your self-respect or believe in yourself.
