Desperate Housewives
After discovering my husband was cheating on me, I slept with his best friend, Ethan
Carter.
Do I regret it? No. If anything, I should’ve done it sooner.
I pinned Ethan against the wall, biting his jawline lightly before teasing him, “You’re pathetic–you can’t even go after the woman you like.”
Ethan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “You’re my best friend’s wife.”
“Wife?” I scoffed, tugging on his tie. “Ethan, stop lying to yourself.”
1
My name is Nicole Shaw.
A lot of people envy me. They think I hit the jackpot when I married my husband, Ryan Harris.
And why wouldn’t they? Ryan went from a fresh graduate to a successful entrepreneur with millions in the bank. Meanwhile, I became a stay–at–home mom after having our son, with a nanny to handle the housework so I could spend my free time at yoga classes, spas, or sipping tea with other wives in the neighborhood.
To outsiders, I was living the dream.
But I knew better.
I’ve known about Ryan’s affair for a long time
Ryan is 38, fit, successful, and in his prime. How could he resist the endless swarm of women throwing themselves at him?
Men can’t control their impulses, and even if you try to stop them, they’ll find a way.
60
No matter how well I take care of myself, I’m still a 30–something woman he’s grown
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21:12 Wed, Mar 12
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No matter how well I take care of myself, I’m still a 30–something woman he’s grown bored of. Men are simple creatures–they’ll always want someone younger, fresher.
When I first found out, I thought of confronting him. I even considered filing for divorce.
But in the end, I chose to endure it.
Why?
Because of my son, James. He’s only ten years old and idolizes his father. I want him to grow up happy and carefree. Besides, I’m a stay–at–home mom–would I even get custody
in a divorce? And if I did, could I give him the life he has now?
“Mom, can I get the new LEGO set?” James asked me one day, his innocent smile lighting up his face.
Looking at him, I kept reminding myself: all of this is worth it.
Men cheating isn’t exactly breaking news. When I was younger, I used to scoff at wives
who stayed with their unfaithful husbands, thinking they were pathetic for putting up with
- it.
But now that it’s my turn? I realize staying is the smartest choice.
What would divorce get me?
A big payout?
Ha. Ryan isn’t stupid. If I confronted him, I’d be lucky if he didn’t saddle me with a
mountain of debt. I know him too well–he’d do it without a shred of guilt.
Ryan controls the money with an iron grip. He’s never let me near the company finances. All I get is the allowance he gives me.
Love allowed me to feel joy, anger, and sorrow, but marriage taught me to weigh the pros and cons.
I’ve stood by Ryan through thick and thin, helping him build everything he has today. Why should I let some other woman take my place?
21:12 Wed, Mar 12
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80%
I locked myself in the bathroom and cried for an entire day. But when I came out, I had learned one of the most important lessons of being a stay–at–home wife: how to keep up
appearances.
By the time I stepped out, my makeup was flawless once again. That’s when Ethan showed up at the door, carrying a box of crabs.
“Nicole, Ryan’s got a business dinner tonight,” he said awkwardly. “He asked me to drop these off for you.”
I let out a soft laugh. “A business dinner? Ethan, do you really think I’d fall for that?”
Ryan, Ethan, and I all went to college together. Ryan and Ethan were two years ahead of me. They started their business together and have been inseparable ever since. Ethan and I got along well enough that my son calls him “Uncle Ethan.”
Ethan’s eyes darted away, avoiding mine.
I smiled, glancing over at James, who was busy with his homework in the study. “It’s fine, You don’t have to say anything. I’m not planning on divorcing him.”
“I’m sorry,” Ethan murmured, pushing his glasses up nervously.
“You don’t need to apologize to me,” I said calmly. “If anything, I should be thanking you.”
Ethan looked startled.
Because it was true–if it weren’t for his subtle hints, I wouldn’t have figured out Ryan was cheating so quickly. Ethan, caught between loyalty to his best friend and sympathy for me, was in an impossible position.
I didn’t hold it against him. Instead, I extended my hand to him with a small, knowing
smile.
“This will just be our little secret, won’t it?”
Ethan hesitated but eventually shook my hand. The touch was brief, and his hand pulled
away almost immediately.
