During dinner, Sarah and her family were interrupted by her husband’s work call. Later, she saw him with their ex-nanny on the “Kiss Cam” of a basketball game. After receiving a frustrating text that said, “I can’t talk. I’m at work,” Sarah resolved to uncover the truth.
“Come on, Adam, just eat the salad like a big boy?” Sarah gently encouraged, using her high-pitched voice.
Young happy mother and her child eating. | Source: Shutterstock
Across the table, her husband, Arnold, was deeply engrossed in his smartphone, scrolling through the latest news while absentmindedly enjoying his meal. He was a successful web designer, often preoccupied with work, even during family time.
“Arnold, could you help me convince Adam to eat?” Sarah asked when her son simply refused.
“Adam, listen to your mom, okay?” Arnold replied, not once looking at them.
A sharp beep cut through the room’s quiet as they were finishing their dinner. It was a message on Arnold’s phone. Every time his phone made that sound, it usually meant something urgent from work that couldn’t wait.
Close up of an unhappy businessman on his smartphone | Source: Shutterstock
“You’re leaving for work again? Now?” Sarah asked, watching him get up and walk to the door.
“I’m sorry, honey,” he replied, putting on his jacket. “It’s the big project, the one I told you about. Tomorrow’s the deadline. I need to check my team’s work.”
“Mom, Dad forgot! The basketball game is tonight. He won’t be there, will he?” Adam asked, pouting.
Unfortunately, Sarah knew Arnold wouldn’t get home in time, so she promised to watch the game with him, smiling widely to hide her disappointment.
Snacks on a coffee table set against the backdrop of a basketball game on television | Source: Shutterstock
They were both on the couch a while later, enjoying some basketball. Sarah had made good on her promise of dessert and even gave Adam hot cocoa.
“See, Mom, I want to play like them!” Adam gushed, pointing at the screen. “Wait, isn’t that Dad?”
As the stadium’s camera focused on couples for the “Kiss Cam” segment, a fun tradition where people were encouraged to kiss when featured on the big screen, Sarah saw Arnold sitting in the crowd.
He wasn’t alone. Beside him was Nancy, their former nanny, a young woman who had spent years working in their home. Sarah’s heart sank. She knew Nancy well; she was around 22 and always friendly, but seeing her there with Arnold was like a punch in the gut.
A young kid watching a video, pointing his finger at the TV set | Source: Shutterstock
Sarah cleared her throat. “No, sweetie. It must be someone who looks like him,” she stated, crossing her arms.
But inside, she felt a storm brewing. The sight of Arnold with Nancy at the game and the realization that he had lied about working late, hit her hard. Yet, she couldn’t react, for Adam’s sake.
A text arrived instead: “Baby, I can’t talk, I’m at work. I’ll be home in the morning. Love you!”
Sarah needed to know more to understand what was happening. With trembling fingers, she scrolled through her phone contacts to find Nancy’s number.
Depressed young woman sitting on a sofa next to a window | Source: Shutterstock
As she did, her eyes fell on a small detail she had noted long ago—Nancy’s birth date. It was today. Sarah’s mind churned. Is this why Arnold is with her?
Luckily, Nancy texted back.
***
The game ended a while later. After ensuring her son was cared for by a neighbor, Sarah set out to observe Nancy’s house. Waiting in her car, her heart raced as she saw the luxurious exterior of the property and a flashy new convertible parked outside with a big bow on the hood.
The woman Sarah had known never gave off the vibe of someone with a lot of money. As she was about to drive back home, thinking they were taking too long, Arnold’s car arrived, and she watched in disbelief as they got out together.
Woman using her smartphone inside a car at night | Source: Shutterstock
Once again, the realization hit Sarah hard, but it was two-fold. First, the convertible was Arnold’s birthday present to Nancy. Second, this was more than a passing affair–they were in love.
Sarah’s world shattered. How long had they been together? Had it started while she was babysitting Adam? She may never know.
But she knew she couldn’t stay in the car any longer and burst out, running towards Arnold, her hair flying in the wind. “How could you?! All those nights at work? Was it always her?!” Her screams were loud and wild, breaking the peaceful night.
“Sarah, please let me explain,” Arnold raised his hands. “Nancy, go inside. Let me handle this.”
Depressed young woman leaning on the steering wheel of a car and crying | Source: Shutterstock
“I’m sorry, Sarah,” he started once Nancy was safely inside. “I should’ve been honest with you. The truth is, I love Nancy. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
With tears running down her face, Sarah threatened to take everything from him in the divorce. Arnold crossed his arms and sighed.
“Sarah, I don’t think you remember, but our prenup states that we keep the property in our names in case of a divorce. However, I am willing to offer child support and an additional $100,000,” he offered calmly.
Sarah yelled several expletives at his audacity and walked off. At home, she thanked her neighbor, checked that Adam was soundly sleeping, and went to check the prenup. Arnold was right. Their agreement was tight, and there was no fidelity clause.
Vault with wads of cash | Source: Shutterstock
Arnold could make more money easily. So, she went to her computer, and in a moment of extreme desperation, she looked for ways to purchase a gun. After a deep dive, Sarah discovered advice on how to get one quickly without a permit or registration.
Grabbing her keys and the money bag, Sarah carried a sleeping Adam to her car, knowing she couldn’t leave him alone. She drove to the address she had found online–a mostly empty area with brick-walled factories and flickering street lights.
She hadn’t been there long when a young guy, not much older than a teenager, approached her car. He had a wary look in his eyes. “Looking for something special?” he asked, his voice low. “You won’t find better stuff anywhere else.”
Rear view of a man on the street at night | Source: Shutterstock
“Do you have cash?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She nodded.
“Wait here,” he said, entering one of the buildings. He returned shortly with something wrapped in a blanket and whispered, “10K.”
Sarah nodded and got the money from her bag, exchanging things quickly. “Leave now,” he urged, looking around anxiously.
She didn’t have to be told twice.
A wad of cash in a male’s fist | Source: Shutterstock
Sarah parked her car near Nancy’s house. Her heart was pounding, and her thoughts were swirling. She turned to Adam, who had woken at last. “Stay here. I’ll be right back,” she said, trying to sound calm.
She stepped out of the car with the bag in her hands, walked towards Nancy’s house with firm steps, and knocked thrice. After a minute that felt like an eternity, the door opened. There she was.
“Sarah? What are you doing here?” Nancy asked, swallowing.
“I just want to talk. Can we do that?” Sarah said. Nancy nodded and let her inside. Arnold was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a beer.
Entrance of a house at night | Source: Shutterstock
“Months,” he answered. “I’m sorry, Sarah. I should have told you earlier. I never wanted to hurt you.”
“But you did,” she said, her voice breaking. “Why her?”
“Just happened?” Sarah asked. No one uttered another word as she raised her voice. “JUST HAPPENED? JUST HAPPENED!” Her nerves destroyed and in a sudden rage, Sarah stood up, the chair scraping across the floor. She reached for the bag she had brought with her, pulled out the gun, and pointed it at him.
Young couple arguing in the kitchen | Source: Shutterstock
But nothing happened. There was no gunshot. She only had one second to look confused before the door burst open. “FREEZE!”
Sarah stared at the officers pointing their own guns at her, and she just… gave up. Her hand went limp, and the loud clash of metal against tile bounced around the room. They surrounded and handcuffed her quickly, and she didn’t put up a fight.
The police had been staking out the brick-walled factories, suspecting illegal activity, and followed her after witnessing the purchase. She was led to the squad car where she watched through the window as Nancy and Arnold reached for Adam, who had been taken out of her vehicle by the cops.
Women criminal in handcuffs arrested for crimes. | Source: Shutterstock
***
Months later, Sarah stood in court, listening to a judge hand down her sentence. “This court recognizes the emotional turmoil you have experienced. However, the law is clear, and it must be upheld.” He gave her the minimum required by the state for attempted first-degree murder – 20 years in prison.
She turned in the courtroom to see Arnold and Nancy nodding as if relieved. Adam was in Nancy’s arms. Sarah closed her eyes as the guards pulled her away.
I’ll never see him again…