I Caught My Father-in-Law with His Mistress at a Café — His Threats Backfired When Karma Struck

My FIL Threatened Me after I Caught Him with His Mistress in a Café, but Karma Stepped in at Just the Right Moment

Tessa went to a café that was prepared to boost her energy when she needed a break from meetings and business duties. She discovers Richard, her father-in-law, there. However, what occurs when Tessa’s mother-in-law isn’t his lunch companion?

I had no idea that I would be embroiled in a scandal. However, there I was, starring at my father-in-law, Richard, in a café on the opposite side of town. He was sitting there kissing a woman who was clearly not my mother-in-law, completely satisfied with himself. My cheeks were burning from humiliation, and my pulse was racing.

I felt ashamed for both of us.

In what way did I get here?

Alright, let’s take a brief detour.

So, I wed Daniel a little over a year ago. It also had the feel of a romantic comedy. We happened to meet in a florist when Daniel came in to hide from someone he knew on the road while I was buying flowers for my mother.

Daniel’s family was wealthy beyond measure. They were well aware that their wealth and influence came from old money. They never disguised the fact that they believed he could outperform me as a modest wedding gown designer.

Daniel once told Tessa, “You know that’s not important to me,” during dinner. “What I want is you. not wealth, influence, or rank.”

And I thought that was sufficient. They were hesitant at first, but they eventually warmed up to me because Daniel adored me. They even assisted me in landing a job at a business owned by Richard’s buddy Charles.

Before long, I was creating a line of fashionable clothing in addition to designing bridal gowns. I could never have imagined it being both better and more profitable.

They then assisted Daniel in launching a successful small marketing agency. Everything appeared to be going well. Our professional lives were fulfilling, and there was less conflict and more joy in our family life.

I believed that we had all reached a point of peace with one another. However, that was prior to this incident.

I spent the entire morning doing work-related errands in order to get ready for a new client. I therefore needed a variety of purple-colored textiles. My stomach started to grow agitated as the hours went by, and I realized it was time to eat.

I told myself, “Let’s eat, Tessa,” as soon as I walked into the café.

I saw them as I went in, thinking of all the options I liked on the menu.

My father-in-law Richard was standing there with his back to me, leaning close to a woman who was laughing and touching his arm. They shared a kiss after that.

My stomach dropped. That woman was someone I knew! She was Charles’s wife, Elizabeth. Charles, my supervisor. I felt panic take hold of me. With my thoughts racing, I turned to silently walk away, but Richard saw me. He sprung from his chair, almost tipping over his coffee.

He hurried over and growled, “Wait!” “What do you think you’re doing, Tessa?”

Legs trembling, I tried not to let my voice waver. I’d always been intimidated by Richard. Something about the way he acted made it seem as though everything had to submit to his authority.

I blurted, “I was just leaving…”

His grasp was firm and nearly painful when he seized my arm. I was aware that in the morning, there would be a bruise there.

He hissed, “Listen carefully, girl.” “I vow I’ll ruin your life if you tell anyone about this. Do you get it?

I looked at him, in disbelief.

“Are you seriously threatening me, Richard?” I enquired.

With a booming “Take it however you want,” he looked around to make sure no one was listening. “But you’ll lose the job I helped you land if you say anything about this to my wife. Daniel is going to lose his clientele. And everything in this opulent and comfy life you’ve found yourself in will end.”

I released my arm and felt a surge of wrath.

Richard, you’re ridiculous. Is it your intention to intimidate me into remaining silent?

He hissed, peering nervously over his shoulder. “Keep your voice down!”

But I was powerless to resist.

“Why? So nobody finds out that you are a dishonest liar? that, of all people, you’re sitting here with Elizabeth?”

Richard’s expression grew pallid.

“You know Elizabeth?” he inquired, obviously failing to make the connection.

“Really, Richard? I know her, of course. Charles’s wife is her. Charles, you know, my employer and your best friend?”

His face flashed with alarm as his eyes enlarged.

“Look, you have no business dealing with this. You simply don’t say anything.”

“Or what?” With my arms crossed, I challenged. Do you really think you can frighten me into quiet? “You can’t keep it in your pants, so why ruin my life?”

He moved in closer, and I grimaced at the powerful scent of his perfume.

“You don’t know who you’re messing with,” he said.

With a quick reply, “Oh, I think I do,” Richard, you’re a coward. You’re going to discover that individuals like you have a tendency for karma to catch up with them.”

Richard’s phone rang at that moment. With a still-present scowl, he took it out. The caller ID made his face flush.

He whispered, “It’s Charles,”

Answering, he suddenly sounded careful and delicate in his voice.

“Hey, Charles… yes. I’m now only at a meeting.”

As he spoke, I kept a close eye on his expression. His face went from uneasy to scared very rapidly.

“What? No, Elizabeth hasn’t been in sight. Yes, I did, but I didn’t. Look, I’ll explain myself.”

Richard’s face became completely white as he abruptly withdrew the phone from his ear. His mouth moved like a fish out of water as he glanced at it and then back at me.

He said, “What did you do, Tessa?”

I arched an eyebrow.

“Me? Richard, I did not do anything. All along, I’ve been standing there in front of you. It seems that you are becoming caught up in your behavior.”

As it happens, karma moved quickly that day. All afternoon, Charles had been attempting to get in touch with his spouse, wanting to inform her about his plans to take her to a new restaurant that evening.

And it was during my confrontation with Richard that she finally answered the phone. Charles had heard our entire debate, even though Elizabeth had lied about where she was. He knew enough to grasp what was happening without needing a detailed explanation.

For a long time, he had been suspected Elizabeth of having an affair.

Charles responded right away. He instantly severed their friendship and withdrew his money from Richard’s business. I could picture Richard’s life rapidly devolving into insolvency without those monies.

Later that week, though, I received an unexpected call from Charles.

“I’ll be back at the office tomorrow,” he said. “Let’s meet in my office after lunch.”

Even though we both knew I hadn’t been discreet at all, he said, “Thank you for your discretion,”

However, I did succeed in taking a picture of Richard and Elizabeth before he noticed me. I also shared that picture to Charles and my husband following their altercation.

“I’d like to offer you a promotion,” he said. “As the head designer. Greater accountability equates to higher income. You will not be dependent on Richard’s finances.”

Stunned, I said, “Wow, thank you…”

“Tessa, just keep up the fantastic work. And avoid being bullied by individuals like Richard.”

And so here I am, enjoying a view of my office, while Richard is frantically trying to reassemble his broken empire. After Daniel’s mother found out, she promptly threw Richard out.

And me? I’m just a content girl who made sure Richard received what he deserved by being in the right location at the right time.

How would you have responded in that situation?