While Sutton is on a business trip, the last thing she expects to discover is that her husband is having an affair, resulting in a pregnancy. But after Jacob moves out, and the months go by, Sutton plans her revenge.
It was a year ago when life as I knew it changed dramatically. I was on a business trip, trying to secure a deal that would help us get through our son’s medical bills.
My three-year-old, Danny, had been ill at the time, going in and out of the hospital, and every moment away from him felt like torture. I mean, when your child needed you, he needed you.
But I never anticipated that the real torture was happening at home.
When he arrived, the matron wouldn’t tell him why he couldn’t see his newborn or Jessie. Security had to escort him out as he yelled and pleaded, making a scene.
Finally, something must have clicked because Jacob called me.
“What have you done?” he demanded.
“I just made sure that you take responsibility for your actions,” I replied coolly. “Your second son doesn’t need a dad like you. Neither does Danny. Today was the last time you’d ever set foot in this house again.”
For days after, Jacob harassed me with calls and texts, begging for an explanation, for forgiveness, for anything really.
“I’m living with my cousin because Jessie cut off all contact with me. My mother doesn’t even want to talk to me, Sutton. She said that I ruined the lives of two innocent children and she’ll never forgive me. She’s embarrassed by me.”
“But that’s exactly what you did, Jacob,” I said. “You did ruin two boys and their mothers, too.”
But do you know what was even better? As the months rolled by, I watched with satisfaction and a sense of melancholy as Jacob’s life fell apart.
His job suffered because he just wasn’t settled at all. His social circle seemed to dwindle, and he seemed to be a shadow of his former self.
I was doing well. But then an interaction with Danny made me question if I was too harsh.
“Mom, why doesn’t Dad come home anymore?” Danny asked one night as I tucked him into bed.
I knew this moment would come, and now that it was here, I didn’t know what to say.
I sighed, stroking his hair gently.
“Dad had to go away for a while, sweetheart. But I’m here.”
He looked up at me with those big, innocent eyes.
“Do you still love him?” he asked.
How do you explain the truth to a child, that the person they look up to has broken your family?
“I love you, Danny,” I said, evading the question. “And that’s all that matters.”
But now, I feel horrible. Was my revenge too much?
What would you have done?