The Smart Mattress Caught My Cheating Husband
I stared at the screen, my brows knitted into a tight knot.
My husband, Dominic, was lecturing halfway across the world in Australia. The house was supposed to be empty.
As doubt began to coil in my stomach, the app flashed again. The mattress had registered 199 forceful impacts and had automatically initiated the Intimate Contact Mode for protection.
I was reaching for the phone to call Dom when his new post popped up on my social feed.
[Another day in Australia missing my wife. Busy and fulfilling.]
I looked at the photo, tagged with a Sydney location, and absently double-tapped it. Then I booked the first flight back to the States.
1
My first instinct was that wed been robbed and, insult added to injury, the thief had decided to rest on my bed. The thought made my skin crawl with disgust.
But when I meticulously cross-referenced the 'Intimate Contact' timestamps with the interior security footage, I found nothing. Not a single trace of an intruder. The antiques, the artwork, the limited-edition handbagseverything was accounted for. The house was immaculate, with no signs of disruption. Doms favorite bespoke suits and his Rimowa luggage were gone; he was definitely not home.
Could the smart mattress just be malfunctioning?
Still uneasy, I decided to check the buildings main entrance surveillance with the property manager.
As I walked out, I bumped into Maria, the cleaning woman who looked after our floor.
Ms. Ashford, youre back from your trip? Let me come in and clean up a little for you. she said politely.
That would be a help, Maria. Thank you.
Maria was a single mother, working hard to put her daughter through college. I knew her situation and often helped them out. Out of gratitude, she insisted on cleaning our house once a week, refusing any payment.
I watched her start mopping the marble in the living room and casually asked, Maria, have you seen any strangers coming in or out of our unit the last few days?
No, I havent, honey. Not since the Professor left for his lecture Did something happen?
Seeing her sudden anxious expression, I managed a soft laugh.
No, nothing at all. Just curious.
Before she left, I pressed the expensive hand cream Id brought back from Dubai into her hand. The weather was turning cold, and with all the manual labor she did, I knew shed use it.
If no one had come in, was it truly just a faulty mattress? But this four-hundred-thousand-dollar system had only been installed three months ago. If there were a hardware issue, the manufacturer would have been alerted immediately and contacted me for an on-site repair
I started cleaning the mattress with a heavy-duty sanitizer, my mind still reeling over the bizarre incident, when I heard the chime of the smart lock unlocking.
A shiver of genuine fear ran down my spine.
Before I could hide, a shadow lunged forward, pressing me onto the bed.
Surprise!
It was Dominic.
Shaken, I pushed him back slightly. I thought your teaching commitment in Australia was for a full week. Why are you back early?
Because I missed you, of course.
He pressed a light kiss to my forehead. No, seriously, my college needed me back right away to lead a major grant proposal. Had to ditch the outback early.
The look in his eyes was so profoundly sincere that the creeping suspicion of infidelity began to waver. Dominic was the youngest, most celebrated professor at his universitya classic heartthrob. Id heard the whispers and the rumors, but every time I looked into his deep, earnest eyes, the doubt evaporated.
But you came back early too, darling. He gently stroked my cheek.
I got a notification in Dubai that the mattress was vibrating wildly.
No one was home, so I was worried. I flew back to check.
Dominic pulled me into his chest. Oh, that was just a minor tech glitch. An engineer was remotely calibrating the system from the backend. His voice was low and reassuring. I didnt want to bother you while you were working. He even pulled up a technicians log on his phone.
I let out a long breath, a genuine smile finally easing my face.
But later, after dinner, when I turned on the living room TV, intending to stream a sophisticated drama, the playback history showed 20 episodes of Two and a Half Men.
2
The silence stretched for a long, heavy moment. Finally, I managed to ask Dominic, Did you watch TV?
No, honey. You must have hit the remote by accident.
That light, dismissive response pulled the knot in my heart dangerously tight.
Twenty episodes of a syndicated sitcom meant that the stranger had been in my house for at least ten hours.
Why was Dominic lying to me?
And how could anyone stay for ten hours without showing up in any of the security footage? Was I going crazy? Was it a ghost?
I couldnt stand the uncertainty for another minute. I rushed to the property office and demanded the head of security pull up the external hallway footage.
Sitting in front of the monitors, I watched frame by painful frame. Still nothing. No one entered our unit.
Was this some horror movie scenario where the person had always been hiding inside? I went back another month in the recordings, watching until my eyes were burning red, but there was no anomaly.
I stumbled back to the house, exhausted and defeated. Dom was standing there, holding a massive bouquet of long-stemmed roses.
Happy Anniversary, my beautiful love. The only woman I will ever adore.
I froze. In all the chaos, I had completely forgotten our anniversary.
He then mysteriously pulled a key fob out of the flowers and pressed it into my palm.
Its a brand-new Lamborghini Huracncustom Vivid Violet paint. I reserved it three months ago. His eyes were glistening. No matter what storms come, I will always be right here, next to you.
His words, so tender and devoted, made my eyes sting. Leaning against his warm chest, I was overwhelmed by self-reproach. My husband clearly loved me, treasured me, and here I was, doubting him and chasing shadows. I was the one who owed him an apology.
The Two and a Half Men binge was likely just a bizarre error, maybe the remote was jammed in the sofa cushions and the TV kept playing in the background while I was asleep.
Go on, love. Ive hidden a little surprise inside. Take it for a test drive.
A faint, cloying scentnot Doms usual colognefilled the car.
Then, the cars navigation system came to life, and Doms magnetic, warm voice filled the cabin. Hello, Baby Doll, remember to buckle up. No matter the road ahead, your husband will always be with you. His tone was so intimate and thoughtful that my eyes welled up again.
Navigate to The Plaza. I hadnt bought Dominic a gift for our anniversary, so I immediately decided to buy him an expensive watch.
Affirmative, Baby Doll. Ill be your co-pilot all the way.
Heads up, coming up on The Maxwell Manor Steakhouse, the site of our very first date.
Dominics voice continued, but I froze, gripping the steering wheel.
I hate steak.
And our first date was definitely not at The Maxwell Manor Steakhouse. It was a tiny, obscure jazz club downtown.
Also, Dominic had never called me Baby Doll. Never.
Was the system glitching again?
When was the last time this vehicle was driven? I asked the navigation system.
Baby Doll, the last trip was two days ago. Destination: The Galleria.
I immediately started tearing the car apart.
Sure enough. Deep in the seam of the back seat, I found a pair of worn, torn stockings. They were stained.
In the small, hidden compartment of the console were a handful of ultra-thin condoms and, underneath them, a bottle of lubricant and a small, electronic toy.
3
Dominic was cheating.
And this car, this gift, was a hand-me-down, a soiled trophy he was trying to pass off as a grand gesture.
I was shaking uncontrollably.
Ten years. A decade of my prime, given entirely to him. I had placed him above everything, loved him with every fiber of my being, and he had taken that love and ground it into the dirt with his betrayal. The vows he made at our weddinga lifetime of monogamynow felt sickeningly, obscenely ironic.
I broke down and sobbed, a visceral, gut-wrenching grief that rattled the car.
Once I regained some composure, I called a friend, an attorney who knew people, and arranged for the stockings and the toy to be sent immediately for forensic testing. I refused to believe I would find zero evidence. Unless Doms mistress truly was a ghost.
Back home, I walked in silently. Dom rushed forward, embracing me with a forced passion.
Love, your eyes are red. Who upset you?
I pushed him away, giving him a flat, Im exhausted.
He reached for my hand again. Its been so long since we were intimate, darling.
Ever since Dom claimed to develop a severe stress disorder, we hadnt slept together. I used to adore his gentle, insistent touch, but now the sight of him only filled me with revulsion.
To avoid raising suspicion, I forced a small, tired smile. It was a sixteen-hour flight. I just need to sleep separately tonight. Next time.
Dominic pouted for a second, then his face quickly transformed into a look of undeniable relief. He just wished me a quick Good night.
The next day, I drove the Lamborghini back to my company headquarters. After handing the routine morning meeting over to my VP, I logged into the home media players backend.
The playback length for Two and a Half Men had increased.
He was already back at it. He couldnt wait.
I floored the accelerator the entire way back to the complex. Riding the elevator up, I fought to keep my rage bottled. Today, I was going to catch them in the act.
I twisted the smart lock. Dominic was in the living room, trying on a new bespoke suit. He looked genuinely startled to see me.
Honey, why are you home?
I didn't answer. I ripped the house apart, turning over cushions and emptying the waste bins. I even dumped out the kitchen trash. Nothing.
Did you lose something? Let me help you look, he asked, confusion etched across his face. He looked so convincingly bewildered that I almost doubted myself again.
I suppressed my rising anger, managing a forced smile. No. I just... Did anyone stop by today?
The confusion deepened in his eyes. Its been just me all day Love, are you still worried about the cheating thing?
No. But why arent you at the university today?
I have a department-wide academic conference scheduled for this afternoon.
My gaze landed on a bottle of Penhaligons cologne sitting on the vanity mirror.
Dominic beamed. I was planning to surprise my favorite wife with a candlelit dinner tonight. You once said you loved the leather notes in this one. I wanted to give you a preview, but I guess the surprise is ruined now.
I nodded slowly, then apologized. I have an emergency board meeting tonight. I cant join you.
He seemed to have forgotten the fact that I was severely allergic to synthetic leather-note fragrances.
This cologne wasnt for me.
I didn't expose his lie. As I left, I rested my hand on the top of the TV. The faint warmth confirmed it: someone had definitely been here.
I had barely pulled the car out of the underground garage when I spotted Maria again, squatting by the curb, eating a breakfast burrito.
Good morning, Ms. Ashford! I was just about to bring one of my homemade ones up for you and the Professor.
I smiled, waving it off. Maria, I wanted to ask you again. Did anyone come to my door this morning?
She frowned, thinking hard. I didnt see anything. Is everything okay? Maria looked around nervously, then leaned in close, whispering, Professor Dom, you look so tired, honey. Maybe you should find a spiritual advisor to bless the place.
I glanced in the rearview mirror. Since the first hint of Doms betrayal, I hadnt had a decent nights sleep. I still didnt know if the trespasser was human or a ghost.
Suddenly, Doms voice came from the car speakers. Its raining today, Baby Doll. Be safe. Meeting you at the best time of my life was the greatest thing that ever happened to me.
I felt a surge of nausea.
I asked Maria an idle question. How old is your daughter now, Maria?
Eighteen years and five months, bless her heart.
Eighteen. The "best time of my life," Dominic had said.
4
But a college-age student coming to my mansion to binge-watch Two and a Half Men was highly unusual.
I had met Marias daughter, Lexi. She was a dark-skinned, plain girla little rough-looking, even older than her mother in appearance. Given Doms usual impeccable taste, the possibility was zero.
Back at the office, my mind was racing. How did Dominic always know my movements?
My eyes fell to the Lamborghini key fob.
If I didn't drive the Lamborghini, it would signal immediate distrust. But if I did drive it, he could track my location in real-time via the cars GPS.
Oh, my sweet, clever husband.
Just after noon, the media player history flashed again: another record for Two and a Half Men.
Simultaneously, the home smart speaker connected to a new device and started playing a vintage, cheesy love song.
I snatched the keys to my other carthe Porscheand slammed the gas pedal to the floor.
Lets see them hide this time.
Just as I suspected: Dominic wasn't out for a conference.
I was about to explode, but he quickly turned his head and shushed me with a frantic finger to his lips. On his laptop screen, several foreign students were connected for a remote lecture.
Love, why didnt you call ahead?
The meeting was canceled. Im teaching my Australian students now. He pulled me aside, kissed me quickly, and then hurried back to his study. Ill make you a fabulous dinner tonight.
I frantically searched the house again. Behind the curtains, under the bedI couldnt even find a stray hair.
Fuming, I returned to the office. This time, Id driven my own car. How had they still known my itinerary?
But I was no longer willing to believe Doms innocence. The house was simply too clean, as if someone had deliberately scoured it. I didnt believe he could contain himself.
The afternoon was quiet until 5:00 PM, when Dom texted: Coming home? Candlelit dinner is ready.
I have a massive trade event for the next two days. Wont be home.
He immediately sent a crying emoji. But I knew Dominic was ecstatic.
This time, I was setting the trap.
The next night, Dom texted again: Are you coming home tonight? I miss you so much.
I smiled, typing back: Flying to Hong Kong at 11:00 PM. Gone for a week. Take care.
Dom: Okay. You be careful too.
The more concern he showed, the more anxious he was to get back to his routine. The Two and a Half Men binge was nearing its conclusion, and I didn't believe his lover would abandon it now.
Tonight was the perfect time to catch them in the act.
An hour later, the smart speaker connected to the strange mobile device and began playing a classic, heartfelt duet.
I scoffed. A Baby Doll with an appreciation for vintage love songs.
I stood up, and the app instantly refreshed: the FINAL EPISODE of Two and a Half Men was playing.
I grabbed the company photographer, Tina, and had my Head of PR queue up a social media broadcast. I didn't care about my dignity anymore. I intended to go live, expose these two on the spot, and let the entire internet tear them apart.
But when I kicked open the bedroom door and Tina raised the camera and the bright, powerful light, I stopped dead in my tracks.
At the exact same moment, the forensic results on the stockings and the toy arrived on my phone. My face went chalk white.
First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "313697" to read the entire book.
MotoNovel
Novellia
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