The Screenshot Divorce

Babe, the usual spot tonight. Miss you.
The text sat quietly in the family group thread.
Sender: My husband, Mark.
I stared at the screen.
My mother-in-law sent a question mark.
My father-in-law sent a question mark.
I sent nothing.
Three seconds later, Mark frantically hit unsend.
Wrong chat, wrong chat! That was for the work team.
I smiled.
Work team?
His work team was named Babe?
His co-worker lived at the usual spot?
I clicked on his profile picture and saw the last message he had sent me
Dont worry about the wife, she has no idea.
Is that right?
I have no idea?
1
A deadly silence fell over the family group thread.
I put my phone down and went back to feeding my son.
Leo was two, right at the age of restless, messy chaos.
Mommy, wheres Daddy?
Daddys busy.
My voice was flat.
Too flat.
A terrifying calm.
Three years.
I had been married to Mark for three years.
In those three years, I quit my job as a Project Lead, a job that paid well over six figures, to stay home with our child.
In those three years, I cooked, cleaned, and cared for his parents.
In those three years, I thought we were happy.
Until now.
The phone buzzed again.
It was Mark calling.
Hello.
Jenna, that text just now, it was a genuine mistake. His voice was laced with panic. Theres a woman on the team, were doing a big project together, and she jokingly calls me Babe
Oh.
Dont read anything into it, okay? Shes strictly a colleague.
Mmm.
Why arent you saying anything?
What do you want me to say?
The other end was silent for two seconds.
Are you angry?
No.
Good. I figured. I have to work late tonight, might be a late return.
Overtime?
Yeah, were rushing the project deadline.
Working late at the usual spot?
The breathing on the other end hitched.
You
Make sure you eat dinner.
I hung up.
Leo looked up at me. Mommy, Daddy not coming back?
Daddys busy.
I stroked his hair.
The phone rang again.
This time, it was my mother-in-law.
Jenna, about Marks text just now
Mom, I know. Wrong chat.
Yes, yes, exactly! Wrong chat. The relief in her voice was palpable. Dont overthink it, dear. Men socialize for work; sometimes these things happen.
My grip tightened on the spoon.
These things happen?
Mom, Im not overthinking it.
Good. Thats good. She chuckled. Youre just a little too sensitive, dear. Mark loves you so much; how could he possibly
Mom, Leos eating. I have to go.
All right, all right. You go.
I ended the call.
Looking at the phone screen, the retracted message in the family chat was gone.
But I had taken a screenshot.
My fingers moved instinctively, capturing the evidence.
I opened my photo album.
Babe, the usual spot tonight. Miss you.
I saved the image to a hidden folder.
Then, I opened Marks text messages.
He had logged into his account on the family iPad.
He set it up himself, claiming it was so I could help him check messages.
I had never looked.
Because I trusted him.
But now
I clicked on his message list.
The first thread, labeled Project Team - Skylar.
I tapped it open.
The last message was twenty minutes ago.
Husband, you texted the wrong group. You scared me to death.
Husband?
I scrolled up.
Miss you.
Miss you too.
Dont worry about the wife, she has no idea.
What if she finds out?
She wont. Shes at home with the kid all day. Clueless.
Clueless.
I stared at the word.
My fingers began to tremble.
I scrolled further.
Babe, did you like that purse last time?
Loved it! Youre the best, Husband!
Good. Next time Ill take you to Kauai.
Kauai?
Marks corporate retreat last month was to Kauai.
He claimed it was a company-wide team-building exercise.
I kept scrolling.
Transferred you $7,500 today. Go buy something nice.
$7,500?
My monthly allowance for the whole family was $2,000.
$2,000 to cover food, clothes, and utilities for a family of four.
I kept scrolling.
Skylar, have you picked out the car yet?
Yes! I want the white Lexus, the $55,000 model!
Done. Ill go with you to pick it up this weekend.
$55,000?
In three years of marriage, I hadnt bought a single piece of clothing over $200.
I kept scrolling.
The timeline stretched back.
One year ago.
Two years ago.
Two and a half years ago.
The earliest message was two years and eight months ago.
Leo was four months old then.
I was still physically recovering from the delivery.
I thought he was working late to save more money for formula and college tuition.
I thought
My eyes stung.
But I didn't cry.
I couldnt cry.
Not yet.
I kept scrolling.
I found a bank transfer record.
Last August.
Memo: Condo Down Payment.
Amount: 0-020,000.
0-020,000?
Marks salary was 0-020,000 a year.
In three years of marriage, our total savings were 0-080,000.
Where did this 0-020,000 come from?
I scrolled back further.
I found another transfer record.
December, the year before last.
Memo: Renovation Funds.
Amount: $80,000.
$80,000?
Thats $200,000 total.
And our savingsthe 0-080,000was accumulated by both of us.
Before I quit to stay home, I was making nearly 0-080,000 a year.
I had saved almost $80,000 in two years.
Combined with his salary, we saved 0-080,000 in three years.
$80,000 of that was mine.
He took my savings to buy a house for his mistress?
I took a deep breath.
I screenshotted all the text conversations.
I screenshotted all the transfer records.
Then, I exited the iPad.
As if nothing had happened.
2
Mark returned at eleven that night.
I had already put Leo to bed.
Why are you still up? He looked slightly surprised.
Waiting for you.
Waiting for me? He chuckled. Why the sudden attention?
I have a question for you.
What is it?
How many people are on your project team?
His smile faltered slightly.
Five.
Who are they?
Me, Dave, Tom, Andrew, and Skylar.
Who is Skylar?
His eyes flickered.
Shes a new hire. Just out of college.
How old?
Twenty-three, I think. I dont keep track.
Is she pretty?
His expression changed.
What is this, Jenna?
Just asking.
Jenna, are you still dwelling on that text from today?
No.
Really?
Really.
He let out a visible sigh of relief.
I knew you werent the petty type.
I smiled.
No, Im not petty.
He walked over and put his arm around my waist.
Wife, I know youre tired. Taking care of the kid isnt easy.
Mmm.
Once this project is over, Ill take you somewhere nice.
Where?
Wherever you want.
How about Kauai?
His body went rigid.
Kauai?
Didnt you go there for your team-building trip last month? You said it was beautiful.
Um... yeah, it was nice.
Lets go to Kauai then.
Okay. Okay, sure. Whatever you want.
His voice was dry.
I didnt speak again.
He didnt, either.
That night, he slept restlessly.
I didnt sleep at all.
The next morning, I dropped Leo off at his preschool program.
Then, I went to the bank.
I checked our joint savings account.
Balance: 0-080,000.
The number was exactly as I remembered.
But I knew it should have been $380,000.
Next, I went to a local realtors office.
Hi, Id like to find out about a recently sold property in a specific building.
Which building?
I gave the address mentioned in Marks texts.
The realtor checked the database.
Yes, there was a sale last year. A two-bedroom condo, total price $450,000.
Who was the buyer?
I... Im not really authorized to disclose that.
Im his wife.
The realtor paused.
You mean
I am Marks wife.
The realtors expression became delicate, knowing.
This there is indeed a deed for that unit registered to Mr. Mark Peterson and another woman.
What is the other womans name?
Skylar Walsh.
Skylar Walsh.
Skylar.
I smiled.
Thank you.
The realtor looked at me, hesitating, wanting to say more.
Maam, are you
Im fine.
I turned and walked out.
The sun was bright.
I stood on the street, breathing deeply.
Three years.
The happiness I thought was real was fake.
The love I thought we had was fake.
The marriage I believed in was fake.
But it didnt matter.
I still had time.
I returned home.
My mother-in-law was sitting in the living room watching TV.
Youre back?
Mmm.
Wheres Leo?
At preschool.
Jenna, she put down the remote. About yesterday, you really shouldnt take it to heart.
What happened yesterday?
You know the text message.
Oh. I didnt take it to heart.
Good. She smiled. Mark, hes always been charming; flirting with a female co-worker is nothing unusual.
Mmm.
You shouldnt stay home so much. Go out, get some air. Dont spend all your time keeping tabs on Marks phone.
I looked at her.
Mom, I wasnt keeping tabs on his phone.
I didnt mean it like that, she waved a hand dismissively. Its just, women should relax. Dont be so sensitive.
I said nothing.
She continued, Mark works so hard to earn money. You need to be more understanding.
Mmm.
His money is for this family. You shouldnt try to control his wallet so tightly.
I paused.
Mom, when have I ever controlled his money?
Im not saying you control it, just She thought for a moment. Men need to spend money sometimes when theyre entertaining clients.
Entertaining?
Yes, taking clients out, buying gifts, that sort of thing.
What kind of gifts?
I dont know. Just... dont worry so much about mens business.
I smiled.
Okay, I wont worry.
She nodded, satisfied.
Thats the right attitude.
I didnt say another word.
I went back to the bedroom and closed the door.
I opened my phone.
I began searching Marks bank statements.
The password for his main checking account was my birthday.
He told me that when we first got married.
He said it meant his money was my money.
Now I knew that was just an empty promise.
The transaction history was long.
A fixed transfer of $7,500 every month.
Recipient: Skylar Walsh.
Sometimes, additional transfers.
0-0,000, $3,000, 0-00,000, 0-05,000.
All to Skylar Walsh.
I calculated the total.
Over the past two years and eight months, he had transferred Skylar at least $350,000.
$350,000.
And me? Three years of childcare, $2,000 a month for all expenses.
A total of $72,000 for the family.
$350,000 versus $72,000.
That was my value in his eyes.
3
In the afternoon, I went to pick up Leo.
At the entrance to the preschool, I ran into someone familiar.
Jenna?
It was Lina, a college friend.
Long time no see! She rushed over and hugged me, surprised. What are you doing here?
Picking up my son.
You have a kid? Thats great! My daughter is in this class too!
We chatted for a few minutes.
She looked me over.
Youre so thin! Are you okay?
Just the exhaustion of having a toddler.
I hear you, she sighed. Oh, hey, your husbands name is Mark Peterson, right?
I paused.
How do you know?
My husband works with him! She laughed. I met him once at the company holiday party.
Oh.
Hes pretty handsome, she winked. You have good taste.
I offered a small smile and said nothing.
Wait, she suddenly lowered her voice. Im going to tell you something, but keep it between us.
What is it?
Theres a girl at your husbands office, Skylar Walsh, she said, conspiratorially. I heard she and Mark are close.
My heart skipped a beat.
Who told you that?
The whole office is talking about it, she said. My husband told me they eat lunch together every day and leave work together.
Is that so?
My husband says everyone knows, but no one dares to say anything, she frowned. Mark is the Project Manager, and apparently, this Skylar isnt someone you want to mess with.
Shes not to be messed with?
I heard her dad is high up in City Planning, Lina whispered. Serious connections.
I stayed silent.
Just be careful, Lina patted my arm. But maybe its just rumors. Im sure your husband wouldnt be that stupid.
Mmm. Thanks, Lina.
I picked up Leo and drove home.
On the way, Leo was singing in the back seat.
Listening to his sweet, small voice, I felt profoundly calm.
Not because it didnt hurt.
But because the pain had passed.
When we got home, Mark was actually there.
Why are you home so early?
Nothing pressing today. Thought Id come back and spend time with you two. He smiled and scooped up Leo. Son, did you miss Daddy?
Yes!
Daddy missed you too!
He held Leo, his expression tender.
He looked like a good father.
A good husband.
Watching him, I suddenly felt completely detached.
This man. I had been married to him for three years, and I thought I knew him.
I was wrong.
Jenna, he put Leo down and looked at me. Ive been thinking these past few days. You seem unhappy.
No, Im not.
Really?
Really.
Good. He walked over and held my hands. I know youre tired. Being home with the baby is hard.
Mmm.
Ive decided. Next month, Im raising your allowance.
I looked at him.
How much?
Up to three thousand. How does that sound?
Three thousand.
He gave Skylar $7,500 every month.
He was giving me $3,000.
I smiled.
Sounds great.
Thats my girl, he patted my shoulder, satisfied. Were a family. We can talk about anything.
Mmm.
Oh, he remembered something. Mom said you went to the bank today?
I paused briefly.
Yes, I withdrew some cash.
Withdrew cash? His eyes narrowed slightly. How much?
Two thousand.
Why so much?
Leos preschool tuition is due.
Oh, he relaxed. You should have just told me. I can transfer that easily.

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