Carly stumbled upon a makeup bag in her home, one she didn’t recognize. Puzzled and concerned, she asked her husband about it. He quickly came up with a story, saying it was his mother’s. But Carly had her doubts, so she decided to set up a hidden camera in their bedroom. Carly tiptoed around her bedroom, soaking in the quiet. She looked at her baby boy, sleeping so peacefully, and felt a bit better despite the troubles in her married life. Things weren’t great between her and Josh. Their love wasn’t what it used to be, but her son made everything seem fine. While cleaning up, Carly found a makeup bag under the bed, which was pretty but unfamiliar. Maybe her husband was trying to surprise her? But the used makeup inside told her something was wrong. Carly decided she needed to talk to Josh. “Josh, could you come here?” she asked as he walked into the kitchen. She showed him the makeup bag. “Is there something you need to tell me?” Josh looked confused. “Is that new? Did you buy it?” he asked, looking at the bag. “It’s not mine, Josh. Where did it come from?” Carly watched his face, hoping for some truth. Josh seemed genuinely puzzled. “I’ve never seen it before. Whose is it? ”Carly took a deep, shaky breath, knowing her next words could change everything. “Josh, are you cheating on me?” she asked. “What? You-you’re insane, Carly! It’s probably my mom’s. She was here the other day. Must’ve forgotten it.” Carly’s heart sank. “Josh, I know what your mom’s makeup looks like. This isn’t hers. ”But it has to be,” Josh insisted.

He quickly grabbed the makeup bag as if removing it from sight might end the conversation. “I’ll just give it back to her the next time we see her,” he added before hastily leaving the kitchen. Carly was left alone, feeling confused and sad. She decided to find out the truth herself. She went up to the attic and found an old camera they used to love. With the camera in hand, Carly went to their bedroom and set it up, hiding it behind a wedding photo. Her hands were shaking as she did that. “I need to know the truth,” she whispered to herself. Before leaving the room, Carly looked at their wedding picture. Were we ever truly happy? Then, she texted Josh: Going out to shop. Will be back late. * The shopping was a blur, Carly’s mind elsewhere. As evening approached, she felt a knot of anxiety; it was almost time to return home and face whatever the camera had captured. Back home, after settling her son, Carly’s heart raced as she retrieved the camera from the bedroom. The laptop before her, she inserted the memory card and fast-forwarded through the footage until Josh and a young girl appeared. The girl casually threw a jacket over their wedding photo, obscuring the camera. Carly’s mind raced. “How could he?” she muttered, the screen now blank, her fears confirmed by the deliberate act of covering the lens. Right then, the front door clicked open. Josh was home. Carly closed the laptop, her heart pounding. “We need to talk,” she said as Josh entered the room. “About what?” “About this,” Carly said, re-opening the laptop and pressing the spacebar to play the video. Josh’s face fell, then he got defensive. “You spied on me?” “Is that your concern? Who is the girl in the video?” Carly demanded. “It’s Martha, my student,” Josh tried to explain. “In our bedroom?” Josh shrugged off her concerns. “I don’t see the issue.” “You were with a young girl in our bedroom! Are you cheating on me?” Carly asked directly. Would I tell you her name if I were?!” Josh retorted. “Tell me the truth, Josh! Are you?” Carly pressed. Even if I were, what would you do?” Josh’s cold response left Carly stunned. “I would leave you, file for divorce,” Carly declared. “And end up with a child in your arms, without a penny? Remember, the prenuptial agreement leaves you with almost nothing!” “I’ll get everything in the case of cheating!” Carly retorted. “But here’s the thing, Carly. There’s no cheating. All you have is a video of Martha entering our bedroom. That’s not enough,” Josh smirked. “YOU are the one cheating, Josh! And our deal clearly says you’d lose everything,” Carly shouted, her frustration boiling over. Josh leaned in, his voice low and dangerous. “Good luck proving that. Be careful, Carly, or you’ll end up regretting it.” He stormed off, leaving Carly in a whirlwind of emotions. The next day, Carly, needing solid proof, found Martha on campus. “Martha?” she called, catching up to her. “We need to talk,” Carly said firmly, blocking her path. “I’ve got nothing to say to you,” Martha snapped, trying to brush past her. “I’m Josh’s wife. I know about you two,” Carly revealed, hoping to sway her. Martha hesitated. “You… You’ve got it all wrong.” “I need your help. Just tell me everything, and I’ll record it,” Carly pleaded, showing her a voice recorder. Martha backed away. “I can’t do that to Josh.” Carly’s heart sank, but she pushed on. “It’s better for us both if I just leave. Please, help me!” “No,” said Martha. “I can’t betray him. He’s leaving you for me!” So he’s actually leaving me for a young girl. “He’s lying to you, Martha. It’s all lies!” she tried explaining. “No, we’re in love! Stay away from me!” Martha stormed off, leaving Carly alone. She had barely recovered from what had just happened when Josh approached her, smirking. “What are you up to, Carly?” he asked, smiling. “Trying to play detective, huh?” “I’m onto you, trying to catch your cheating!” she snapped, her eyes red with fury. Josh laughed mockingly. “Really? You’ll end up losing it all, even our son.” Ignoring his scare tactics, Carly took her son to her mom’s for safety, then set out to unmask Josh. She got in touch with a call girl named Chloe, planning to catch Josh red-handed. In a hotel room, Carly laid out her scheme to Chloe. “Act like you’re a student, slip something into Josh’s drink, and snap some fake photos,” Carly explained, her voice tinged with desperation. Chloe paused. “This is a bit out… there. You know, I mean, we don’t usually do such stuff. But if you pay me double, I’m in.” Carly agreed. A few hours later, Carly’s nerves were on the edge until Chloe came back, handing over an envelope, “All done,” she said. The photos inside showed Josh caught in the act. Carly felt a mix of relief and victory as she paid Chloe. After counting the cash, Chloe noticed a champagne bottle on a table. “Is this champagne free?” she asked. Yeah, it’s from the hotel. They know Josh and me. It’s on the house,” Carly explained. Chloe popped the champagne. “Let’s have a drink then,” she proposed, and Carly agreed, excited that her plan was successful. They clinked their glasses, “Here’s to fresh starts,” finding a moment of unexpected connection. For the first time in a while, Carly felt like she really enjoyed herself. The evening was filled with lots of laughs and stories, making her forget her worries for a while. Then, came morning. Chloe was gone, and Carly, with a bad headache, tried to piece together what had happened. She grabbed her stuff and left the hotel, closing the door on that unexpected night. Back home, she walked into the kitchen and found Josh. Where have you been?” he asked stiffly. “That’s none of your business,” Carly said, fed up with him acting like he owned her. “But you’re my wife, so it kinda is my business,” Josh said, sounding like he was in charge. “Not for much longer,” Carly shot back as she looked for a pill for her headache. “Not for long? What’s that supposed to mean?” Josh asked, trying to laugh it off but clearly worried. “I’m getting a divorce, Josh,” Carly said, her voice clear and strong. Josh, thinking he she’d never be able to prove his infidelity, smirked, “You know I’ll get everything, right?” “Not this time,” Carly said, hinting she had something up her sleeve. Trying to one-up her, Josh showed pictures that he thought proved Carly cheated with Chloe. “Guess your friend wasn’t so loyal.” But Carly was ready. She laid out her own photos of Josh with Chloe. “What do you say to this?” Josh was rattled. “You won’t prove anything! I’ll make sure of it!” “Well, we’ll see that!” she said confidently, and Josh stormed off. Left alone yet again, Carly spotted Josh’s phone and had an idea. She sent the incriminating photos to Martha, seeking her help in exposing his deceit. He’s cheating on both of us. Do you believe me now? She wrote. I won’t let you win, Josh, Carly thought and smiled as Martha replied: “I’ll help you.” *** Months later, in court, Martha’s testimony about her affair with Josh played a crucial role. It proved Josh had been cheating on Carly for over a year now. The judge, considering the evidence and witness testimony Carly provided, ruled in her favor, awarding her all property and assets. A wave of relief washed over Carly, so profound it almost felt like a physical force. The battle she had fought, fraught with uncertainty and pain, had not been in vain. The judge also stated that her son would remain with her while Josh was granted visitation rights. Although the thought of Josh still being a part of their lives was complicated, Carly knew she could navigate this new reality with the strength she had found in herself through this ordeal. Her primary concern had always been her son’s well-being, and now she could provide him with a stable, loving environment, free from the turmoil that had shadowed their lives. As the judge concluded the proceedings, Carly remained seated for a moment, absorbing the magnitude of the verdict. She had won not just the legal battle but a personal victory against the despair and manipulation that had threatened to consume her.