I planned our family vacation, hoping it would be a chance to bond with my husband and son. Instead, it led me to a betrayal that turned our perfect getaway into a nightmare. What happened there was something Ill never forget.
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Family vacations are supposed to bring you closer together, right? At least, thats what Id always believed.
But this time, what started as a cherished family tradition became the worst time of my life.
A woman at the beach | Source: Midjourney
Being a working mom has never been easy, but Ive always prided myself on finding the balance between career and family.
My job keeps me so busy that I sometimes arrive home long after dinner has been eaten and the lights have been dimmed.
Despite that, Ive always ensured my family had everything they needed.
A woman standing in the hallway | Source: Midjourney
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My husband, Mark, also used to have a steady job, but things changed when he got laid off a couple of years ago. He picked up odd jobs here and there, contributing what he could, but the bulk of our household expenses landed squarely on my shoulders.
Honestly, I didnt mind. Thats what you do for your family, right?
But lately, Id started noticing the cracks.
A woman looking at her husband | Source: Midjourney
My job left me with less time to connect with Mark because hed already be asleep by the time I got home, making me feel we were growing apart.
However, I didnt think much about it. I thought wed reconnect on our annual vacation.
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Our annual vacation is a tradition weve kept alive through the years. No matter how tough things got financially, we always set aside time to escape for a few days together.
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It was something I cherished because I saw it as a chance to reconnect as a family and make memories that would last a lifetime.
This year, I wanted the trip to be extra special. Especially because lately, Mark had been struggling to find a decent job. I thought this would cheer him up.
“We need this,” I told Mark one evening after a particularly grueling day at work. “A few days away from everything, just the three of us.”
“But I dont have a job, and—”
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“No buts,” I said. “Ill take care of everything. And Im sure youll land a job when you return from the trip with a fresh mind. Dont worry, okay?”
“Okay,” he smiled. “Thank you for all that you do for us. Im sure Eric will love the trip too.”
A man sitting in his house | Source: Midjourney
Our son, Eric, is 20 and in college. Like most kids his age, hes absorbed in his world of parties, friends, and social media. But when I called him to share our vacation plans, he sounded genuinely excited.
“Yeah, Mom, Im in!” he exclaimed. “Cant wait to spend time with you guys.”
It warmed my heart to hear that.
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A day later, though, Eric called me back with a request. “Mom, would it be okay if I brought my girlfriend along?”
His girlfriend? That was news to me.
A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
“Uh, I guess so,” I said hesitantly. “Whats her name?”
“Jessica,” he said. “Shes great. Youll love her.”
I wasnt sure how I felt about the idea. Our vacations had always been just the three of us, and adding a new person, someone Id never met, felt strange. But Eric seemed so excited, and I didnt want to dampen his enthusiasm. He told me hed been seeing her for three months now.
“Alright,” I said finally. “Shes welcome to join us.”
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As the trip approached, I threw myself into planning. I wanted everything to be perfect.
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Little did I know, this vacation wouldnt be about bonding or relaxation. It would turn out to be one of my worst nightmares.
Jessica joined us at the airport, looking like she had just stepped out of a magazine. Her sleek outfit, perfectly styled hair, and radiant smile immediately caught everyones attention, including Marks.
He seemed particularly charmed by her, pulling her suitcase and even complimenting her choice of shoes. I brushed it off as politeness.
After all, she was Erics girlfriend. What was there to worry about?
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A young woman | Source: Midjourney
At first, Jessica seemed nice, but soon, little things started to feel weird.
Over dinner on our first night, I thought Id try bonding with her.
“Jessica, have you had a chance to see Eric play basketball yet?” I asked.
Her eyes widened, and she hesitated before replying, “Basketball? Weve never talked about that.”
My eyebrows shot up. Basketball had been Erics passion for years. His social media was plastered with team photos and game highlights. How could his girlfriend of three months not know that?
I glanced at Eric, who was busy texting and didnt notice.
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A man using his phone | Source: Pexels
The next day, Eric suggested we all try jet-skiing. His face lit up as he described how much fun it would be, but Jessica frowned.
“Im not really into water sports,” she said.
Wait… did Eric not know that already? I thought. Thats strange.
At that point, Erics excitement dimmed, but he quickly recovered and suggested we should go sightseeing instead.
Later, while everyone relaxed by the pool, I overheard Jessica asking Eric about his major.
“Biology, right?” she said with a giggle. “I cant believe I keep forgetting that!”
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A young woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
My heart skipped a beat. What was going on here?
This young woman who claimed to be my sons girlfriend had no idea about his passion for basketball. She didnt know his major. And she didnt even seem particularly interested in learning. And Eric? He was doting on her constantly, getting her drinks, carrying her bag, and even taking over the sun lounger she didnt like.
Calm down, Colleen, I told myself. Dont overthink. Relationships are complicated, and maybe Jessica just needed more time to connect with Eric.
Still, something didnt sit right.
A woman standing outdoors | Source: Midjourney
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Midway through the trip, I was looking for sunscreen in Erics suitcase when I stumbled upon a small velvet box. Curious, I opened it to find a stunning diamond necklace.
It looked SUPER EXPENSIVE, and I couldnt believe my son had bought something so elegant for his girlfriend.
How did Eric manage to save up for it? I thought.
Later that evening, I brought it up casually.
“Eric, I found the necklace in your suitcase,” I smiled. “Its beautiful, and Im sure Jessicas going to love it.”
A woman talking to her son | Source: Midjourney
He looked at me with wide eyes as if Id said something I wasnt supposed to say.
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“Yeah, I-I,” he stammered. “Ive been saving for a while. I, uh, I really liked it and I thought Id get it for her. After all, she deserves it.”
“Thats amazing!” I faked a smile. “Im so proud of you!”
I wasnt ready to believe that my son, a college student on a tight budget, could afford something so extravagant. I decided not to press him, but my gut told me there was more to this necklace than he was letting on.
A silver pendant with diamonds | Source: Pexels
Jessicas indifference to Erics life, her lack of genuine interest, and now this mystery necklace? Things werent adding up.
On the final morning of our trip, the hotel was quiet. Mark was having breakfast downstairs, and Eric and Jessica were lounging by the pool.
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I stayed in the suite, sipping coffee and trying not to overanalyze the situation.
Thats when Erics phone, left charging on the counter, buzzed with a notification.
It was a text. I glanced at it absentmindedly, but my eyes widened when I read it.
A phone on a table | Source: Pexels
It read, +$500 to our deal. Thanks for covering up for me with the necklace.
The sender? Mark. My husband.
My stomach dropped as my mind tried to connect the dots. I immediately grabbed Erics phone and entered the passcode (I knew it because Id watched him unlock his phone once).
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I knew it wasnt right to invade his privacy, but something told me I had to see more.
The message thread unraveled a web of betrayal I couldnt have imagined.
A woman reading messages on her sons phone | Source: Pexels
Mark and Eric had been plotting for weeks, and Jessica wasnt Erics girlfriend. She was Marks mistress.
Eric had been pretending to date her as a cover so Mark could bring her on the trip without arousing my suspicion. The “deal” they had struck involved money Mark had promised Eric in exchange for his silence. And the necklace? Mark had paid for it with my money.
I stared at the screen as dozens of questions popped into my mind.
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A woman looking at her sons phone | Source: Midjourney
How could Mark do this to me? And Eric? Why did he go along with it? They thought they could betray me like this?
I was angry. I was heartbroken.
But I knew I couldnt let this slide.
That evening, I called everyone to dinner at the hotels restaurant. I dressed carefully, choosing a nice dress and pairing it with the diamond necklace my husband had bought for his mistress.
I wanted to look composed and strong, even if I felt like falling apart inside.
A woman wearing a necklace | Source: Midjourney
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When I walked into the restaurant, they turned to look at me. Jessicas eyes lit up, but her smile faded when she realized I was wearing her necklace.
“Mom, why are you wearing Jessicas necklace?” Eric asked. “Thats her gift.”
“Oh, really?” I chuckled. “Thats odd. Because your dad bought it with MY MONEY.”
Marks face turned pale.
“Wh-what are you talking about?” he stammered. “What—”
A man sitting in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“Stop pretending, Mark,” I said, rolling my eyes.
Then, I turned to Jessica. “I dont know what my husband has told you, but hes currently unemployed. He got laid off years ago, and since then, hes been struggling to find a decent job.”
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“But, I—”
“Shh!” I cut her off. “Let me finish. You see, Ive been paying for everything ever since he lost his job. Everything including this trip, the necklace, and even the money he promised Eric to play along with this charade.”
“Mom, I didnt mean to… I mean—” Eric began.
A young man in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“I never thought my son could do something like this,” I glanced at Eric as tears streamed down my cheeks. “I had no idea I was paying my own son to lie to me.”
That was the last thing I said to the three of them. I stood up and walked back to my room.
The next day, I flew home alone. Eric and Mark kept calling me, but I refused to answer any of their calls.
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A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels
A week later, I filed for divorce. Jessica vanished when she realized Mark had no money, leaving him humiliated and alone.
As for Eric, were working on rebuilding our relationship. He made a mistake, but hes still my son, and Im hoping he wont do anything like this again. I guess he just wanted some money and didnt really care what his father wanted him to do. I pray he grows up and understands what Mark did that day was totally unacceptable.
I hope Eric never follows in his fathers footsteps.
If you enjoyed reading this story, heres another one you might like: When Lexie overhears her husband and the neighbors daughter discussing their affair, she doesnt cry or confront them. Instead, she plans. With a clever invitation and a jaw-dropping twist, she flips the script on their betrayal, serving up karma with a side of sass. Revenge has never been this satisfying.
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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.
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