Adelaide’s perfect world shatters when security footage catches her husband in an intimate moment. Shocked and betrayed, Adelaide musters the courage to use the damning evidence to secure her future, setting off a chain of events that will change her life forever.
So there I was, standing outside James’s office building, clutching the lunch I’d made for him. It was a beautiful day, the kind that made you feel like everything was right in the world.
James and I had been together for over a decade. We met in college, fell in love quickly, and I’d given up my burgeoning art career to support his corporate climb. Our life together seemed picture-perfect, but, boy, was I wrong.
A woman standing on a city street holding a packed lunch | Source: MidJourney
As I walked into the lobby, I immediately noticed something off.
Dean, the middle-aged security guard who always greeted me with a warm smile and a “Hey there, Adelaide!” looked uncharacteristically tense.
Beside him, Jerry, the younger guard who idolized Dean, seemed even more jittery than usual, his eyes darting around like he was expecting trouble.
“Hey, Dean! Hi, Jerry! How are you guys doing today?” I asked, trying to keep my voice cheerful.
Dean exchanged a look with Jerry before turning back to me. “Adelaide, could you come with us for a second? It’s important.”
A woman frowning at a security guard | Source: MidJourney
My stomach dropped. “Sure, what’s going on?”
“Just follow us, please,” Dean said, his tone a mix of urgency and hesitation.
I followed them into the small security office situated just off the main foyer, my mind racing with possibilities. Were they in trouble? Was something wrong with James?
Dean gestured for me to sit. He pulled up some footage on the monitor, his hands shaking slightly. Jerry stood by the door, obviously playing look out even though his anxious eyes were fixed on the floor.
“Adelaide,” Dean began softly, “I need to show you something. It’s… it’s not easy to see.”
A woman in a security office | Source: MidJourney
He turned the monitor towards me, and I saw the elevator camera feed. My heart pounded as the video played. There, clear as day, was James. And Clara, his boss’s wife! In a moment that was far too intimate for comfort.
I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. “Oh my God…”
The room was dead silent for a moment, my brain struggling to process what I’d just seen. James, my James, wrapped around Clara like she was the only thing that mattered in the world. My heart shattered into a million pieces.
A couple in an elevator | Source: MidJourney
There was no way I could let this betrayal slide. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do about it yet, but I was certain of one thing: I needed that video.
“Dean,” I finally managed to say, my voice barely a whisper. “Can you send me this video?”
Dean looked at me, his eyes filled with sympathy. “Of course, Adelaide. I’m so sorry you have to go through this.”
He started the process, his hands steadying as he focused on the task. Meanwhile, Jerry kept nervously glancing at the door, like James might burst in any second.
Woman speaking to a security guard | Source: MidJourney
“We need to hurry,” Jerry muttered, his voice tinged with anxiety. “He could be here any minute.”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I couldn’t let James see how wrecked I was. Not yet. “Thank you, both of you. I don’t know what I’d do without your help.”
Dean handed me a USB drive. “Here, this has the footage. Take care of yourself, Adelaide. If you need anything, we’re here.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I appreciate it. Really.”
Just as I slipped the drive into my purse, the elevator dinged.
A flash drive | Source: Pexels
My heart pounded as James walked out, his face lighting up when he saw me. “Hey, babe! Ready for lunch?”
I forced a smile, my stomach twisting into knots. “Yeah, let’s go.”
We walked out of the building, James chatting about his day while I tried to keep up the facade. My mind was racing. I loved him, but how could I continue living this lie?
What other option did I have? Without James, I had nowhere to live and no way to survive. I was financially dependent on him. What was I supposed to do?
Thoughtful woman walking on a city street with her husband | Source: MidJourney
As we sat down at the restaurant, I made a decision. I wasn’t going to confront James just yet. I needed to secure my future first. The betrayal still stung, but I had to be smart about this.
That afternoon, I made a call to Richard, the CEO of the company James worked for, and Clara’s husband.
We’d met before at some company shindig, but I was a little surprised he remembered me. I told him about my work as an artist and that I was looking for a corporate opportunity. He agreed to meet me the next day, intrigued by my sudden interest.
A woman making a phone call | Source: Pexels
The next day, I walked into Richard’s office, my heart pounding. The room was large and intimidating, much like the man sitting behind the desk.
He looked up, his eyes cold and calculating. “Mrs. Miller, what can I do for you?”
I took a deep breath and handed him the USB drive. “Mr. Hastings, I have something you need to see.”
Richard raised an eyebrow, inserting the drive into his computer. As the video played, his expression hardened. “What’s your angle, Mrs. Miller?”
A man using a laptop | Source: Pexels
“I need a job,” I said, my voice steady. “And a loan to cover my expenses until my first paycheck. In exchange, I’ll give you the proof you need for your divorce.”
Richard leaned back in his chair, studying me with those cold, calculating eyes. “You’re quite the negotiator, Mrs. Miller. This video could indeed save me a considerable amount in the divorce proceedings.”
I held his gaze, my heart pounding but my voice steady. “I’m aware. That’s why I came to you.”
A slow smile spread across his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Businessman seated at his desk | Source: MidJourney
“Alright. You’ve got yourself a deal,” he said. “You’ll start on Monday. I’ll have the HR department set up your employment, and I’ll authorize a loan to cover your expenses until your first paycheck.”
Relief flooded through me, but it was tinged with guilt. I was exploiting this situation, but I had no other choice.
“Thank you, Mr. Hastings. I won’t let you down.”
As I left his office, a strange mix of empowerment and guilt settled over me. I was taking control of my life, but at what cost?
A determined woman | Source: Pexels
That evening, I waited for James to come home, the USB drive burning a hole in my purse. When he walked through the door, I was ready.
“Hey, babe,” he said, dropping his keys on the counter and giving me a quick kiss. “How was your day?”
I took a deep breath, my hands trembling. “We need to talk, James.”
He looked at me, a hint of confusion in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
Without a word, I handed him the USB drive. “Watch this.”
A woman confronting her husband | Source: MidJourney
James’s face paled as he plugged it into his laptop and the video started playing. His usual composure crumbled, and he turned to me, eyes wide with panic. “Adelaide, I can explain—”
“Explain?” I interrupted, my voice shaking with anger. “How do you explain this, James? How do you explain betraying me with Clara?”
He stammered, trying to find words, but I didn’t give him a chance.
“You’ve destroyed our marriage, James. And you’ve left me with no choice but to take drastic measures.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked, his voice a mixture of defensiveness and fear.
An angry couple | Source: Pexels
“I’ve already spoken to your boss,” I said, my voice steady now. “He’s hired me, and he’s going to make sure you face the consequences of your actions.”
James’s face turned ashen. “Adelaide, please. You don’t have to do this. We can work things out.”
I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes. “It’s too late for that, James. You’ve ruined everything.”
The next few days were a whirlwind.
A couple ignoring each other | Source: Pexels
True to his word, Richard orchestrated James’s termination, citing a breach of company ethics and damage to the company’s reputation. James was devastated, his career in ruins. He begged me to reconsider, but I couldn’t. I had to think about my future.
Starting my new job was nerve-wracking, but it was also the beginning of my transformation. I walked into the office with determination, ready to prove myself. My artistic background gave me a unique edge, and I quickly found ways to integrate my creativity into my work.
A woman using a laptop | Source: Pexels
Richard, ruthless as he was, respected my audacity. He saw potential in me and wasn’t shy about pushing me to my limits. It was challenging, but I thrived. For the first time in a long time, I felt empowered.
Every day was a new battle, but I faced them head-on, my confidence growing with each victory. I was no longer just James’s supportive wife. I was Adelaide, a strong, independent woman carving out her own path.
Click here to read about a woman who taught her husband a harsh lesson when she caught him mocking her during a stand-up comedy performance.
A happy woman working | Source: Pexels
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
