Before inadvertently listening in on her spouse’s therapy session, Colleen believed she understood her husband intimately. After revealing his darkest secrets, Michael’s unexpected admissions destroyed his 12-year marriage and left Colleen to try to mend the broken family.
Hi there, this is Colleen. Imagine learning something about your lover that completely upends your world and causes you to doubt everything about your relationship. That is precisely what transpired with me. I would have stayed in the dark if it weren’t for one phone call.
Up until recently, my life seemed like something from a picture-perfect family album. Michael and I had a pleasant twelve years of marriage behind us. Our two wonderful kids, Milly and Shawn, are here. Everything appeared to be flawless.
We enjoyed large events like Michael’s recent promotion as well as little ones like family game evenings. It was an incredible night.
Michael treated us to a surprise meal out. We made a toast, laughed, and I can still see the twinkle in his eyes as he revealed the news.
But one afternoon, everything was different.
It was just another typical day. I was on the phone with Michael and washing laundry. He was about to start his treatment.
Michael has been under a great deal of stress lately due to job responsibilities and numerous business trips. He began attending Dr. Hanks, a therapist, in order to cope.
We talked about the typical topics, such his day and the kids’ well-being.
I told him I was having his favorite roast turkey for supper. Michael stated the therapist had come, and we bid one other a heartfelt farewell. I put my phone down and went back to folding clothes, contemplating the rest of the evening.
Ten minutes later, I picked up my phone to discuss a recipe with a buddy. Michael hadn’t hung up, I realized. Everything from his treatment session was audible to me.
At first, I was hesitant. Listening in felt strange. However, I heard something that instantly chilled me to the bone.
The voice of Dr. Hanks was audible: “All right, Mr. Fox, let’s go over what we discussed last time. You said that you had other families than your own.
Yes, Michael said in response to Dr. Hanks.
I froze.
“Michael, could you elaborate?” Looking just as perplexed as I did, Dr. Hanks questioned.
Michael spoke in a calm, rather emotionless tone.
“My family isn’t limited to my spouse Colleen and our two children, Milly and Shawn. Two additional families are mine. One each in New York and California. I’m married to one woman and have two kids and a daughter.
My knees buckled under me. With my phone still in my grasp, I fell to the ground. Michael could hardly continue because my heart was beating so hard.
“Actually, I’m visiting Colleen, but I pretend I’m on business trips.” He went on, “I’ve been doing this for years.
I was having trouble breathing. My cheeks was flooded with hot, uncontrollably streaming tears. Was all we owned a lie?
I stayed there, holding onto the phone, hoping to get out of this nightmare, but I was unable to. Like blades, Michael’s comments cut deeper than the one before them.
Dr. Hanks’s voice broke through my fog. “That’s a lot to handle, Michael. How do you handle it?
Michael let out a sigh. “I’m not sure, Dr. Even though I adore them all, it wears me out. I have the impression of leading three separate lives. I can’t stand to lose any of them, therefore even if I consider confessing sometimes.
I had the feeling that I might get sick. How could he lie so deeply and still profess to love us? My mind was buzzing with inquiries, but I was immobile and unable to concentrate.
All I could do was listen as my heart broke further with every syllable.
Michael went on, “I know it’s not right. I’m lying to them all, I know it. I’m not sure how to stop, though. I am at a loss on how to decide.
Gently, Dr. Hanks spoke. “Michael, you need to deal with this for everyone’s benefit, not just yourself. Such secrets have the potential to be quite dangerous.
Michael hardly said anything in reply. “Doctor, I am aware. Yes, I am aware. However, it’s already too late.
My world came apart while I lay on the ground. How is this possible to be occurring? How could the guy I adored, the father of my offspring, be living not just one, but two, but three lives?
My body trembled from sobbing as the tears continued to fall. From here on forward, I had no idea what to do or where to go. I just knew that nothing would ever be the same in my life again.
Every phrase pierced my heart as I put the phone to my ear. “What drove you to cheat on Colleen and maintain two secret families?” Dr. Hanks questioned.
Michael shook his voice. Michael told me, “Colleen is my third wife,” and it hit me like a sledgehammer.
I apologize profusely, Doctor. However, it’s too late to apologize. Sincerely, I adore Colleen and our children. I had no intention of betraying her. I was obliged to do this by prior circumstances.
“What are your current plans?” Gently, Dr. Hanks inquired.
Michael let out a deep sigh. “I’m afraid to disclose my other families to Colleen.” Those households have high school-age children. I’m not sure how to handle her. I’m… I’m so afraid I’ll lose her.
Michael, do you feel guilty? Dr. Hanks enquired following a hold.
After a lengthy period of silence, Michael started crying. “It’s too late to make things right, even if I wanted to.” For the remainder of my life, I must divide my time between my three families.
“Are the other families aware of one another?” Dr. Hanks enquired.
Michael said directly, “No.”
I was no longer able to listen. I hung up the phone with a trembling hand. I broke down and started crying uncontrollably as the room whirled around me.
How was he able to? How was he able to deceive us in this way?
I heard the kids come home from school at that very moment. “We’re back, mom!” Shawn yelled.
I hastily wiped away my tears and sprayed my face with cold water in an attempt to lessen the puffiness. For them, I had to gather myself. With a racing mind, I entered the kitchen and began preparing the turkey roast.
Even though I was feeling stormy, I chose to remain composed. I had to give Michael one final opportunity to come clean.
He returned home that evening, carrying on as if nothing had changed. I called him aside as he was watching TV with the kids.
With all honesty, I said, “Michael, we need to talk.”
“Hey honey, what’s going on?” Seeming perplexed, he inquired. Indeed, pause for a moment. Approaching!”
Michael was seated across from me at the dining table, so I took a big breath and felt my heart race.
“For years, I’ve wanted to tell you something, but I was worried about our family’s safety. I started, saying, “I’ve decided to come clean because the guilt has been weighing on me.”
Michael’s gaze expanded. “Explain what you mean.”
I pushed out, “I cheated on you five years ago.” “This guy and I met in Spain. He was attractive, unmarried, and divorced. I realize it was a mistake. However, it has been bothering me for years.
Kicking back the chair, Michael leaped to his feet.
“How come? Colleen, how could you do this to me? I had faith in you! And you, you had an affair with another man? I am disgusted by you. You are an EMOTIONAL lady!
Anger distorted his face. “You have betrayed me! I’m embarrassed by you.
Though his remarks stung deep, I remained calm. I got up from the chair and said, “Oh, darling, it’s surprising you’d start accusing me over a story I fabricated.” My arms were crossed.
Michael froze, his face showing amazement and perplexity. “C-prepared? What are you trying to say?
“To see if you would confess about the two secret families you’ve been hiding from me all these years, I made up this story,” I said.
Michael’s face was devoid of blood. “Col-Colleen, I.. I can explain—” he stammered.
I waved him off, cutting him off. Michael, save it. I listened to everything. I put my confidence in you, yet you struck me deep in the heart.
His eyes begged as he rushed after me, his shoulders slumping. “Colleen, could you please?”
Michael, I’m done. You have ruined our family. I pivoted on my heel and yelled at the children. “Milly, Shawn, get your luggage ready. We’re heading out.
Michael watched helplessly as I grabbed our belongings. Seeing the stress, the children refrained from asking any questions. Michael was left in the rubble of the family he had so effortlessly destroyed as we left the house.
I sent him the divorce papers a week later.
Now that the legal process has begun, I have no regrets about parting ways with Michael. But I’m haunted every day by the degree of his lies. Furthermore, I’m not sure whether I’ll ever be able to get over the emotional wounds he caused.
Every night when I put Milly and Shawn to bed, I ponder how I’m going to reconstruct our life. I promise, though, that I will never allow someone to deceive us in such a way again.