My Husband’s Request for Space Led to an Unbelievable Discovery

My Husband Insisted We Live Separately for a Month – Then My Neighbor Called Me Saying, ‘Rush Home, There’s a Woman in Your Room!’

Lisa grudgingly agrees when her husband proposes a month-long separation in an attempt to “reignite their relationship,” but she is shocked to learn of the treachery when a neighbor calls in a panic. When Lisa rushes home, she finds that a woman has settled in rather nicely. Lisa is resolved to take back her life as a result of this betrayal.

Derek recommended that we live apart for a month in order to “reignite our relationship,” but I assumed that this was just another of those trendy things couples do when they’re having problems but don’t want to acknowledge it.

He presented it as a brilliant idea, saying it would strengthen our bond and increase our appreciation for one another.

“You’ll see,” he replied, smiling one morning while drinking his coffee. “It will feel like a new dating experience. I’ll be missed. You will be missed. And it will feel like a new beginning at the end of the month.”

The notion didn’t appeal to me. What wife would? Derek, however, was adamant. I packed my bags, moved into a short-term apartment across town, and told myself that everything would be well because he seemed so certain that this was for the best.

It was a strange and lonely first week.

Derek explained that he was “enjoying the space” and concentrated on keeping busy by not calling or texting very often.

I even began anticipating what he had referred to as “our big reunion, Lisa.”

I once invited Penelope, my sister, over.

She poured herself a drink of wine and said, “Are you sure about this, Lisa?” “I mean, it’s a bit sketchy.”

I put together a charcuterie board and said, “I know,” Derek would go crazy, though, if I resisted something. I therefore assumed that he needed to do it.

Her response was, “Yeah, I get that,” “But, sis, something is off with this. If I were you, I would keep a close eye on Derek.

She was right, I must say. I had the same feeling. What plausible explanation could Derek have for genuinely desiring our separation?

Then my phone rang on a calm Saturday night.

“Lisa,” Mary said in a low, anxious voice that pierced the connection. “You must return home. Now. In your home, I noticed a woman. I noticed a shadow through the glass, but I can’t see much else.

I shook my head clearly and set down the knife I was using to slice vegetables.

Mary, who lived next door to me, was not the kind to get worked up.

“What? Really?

My lungs felt as though they had been blown out.

A female? In our home?

The worst-case scenario was the first thing that came to mind:

Derek had moved in with another person. A mistress.

It might have been something else, though. Perhaps it was Sheila, Derek’s mother, or a break-in.

However, I quickly ruled out those possibilities. Lately, Derek had been so aloof that he hardly ever texted or called. I had a gut feeling it was adultery.

Adultery.

“Are you sure?” My voice trembled as I asked.

decisively, “Positive,” Mary said. “Lisa, hurry up. There’s something going on!”

I didn’t pause to reflect. After snatching up my keys, I ran out the door.

I didn’t bother knocking when I got to the house. With my hands shaking, I pushed the door open as my heart was racing. My instincts seemed to take control. I dashed into my bedroom after climbing the stairs.

She was there.

Derek’s mother, not a mistress.

Sheila.

Sheila stood amid the heaps of my clothing in the center of my bedroom. She had one of my lace bras in her hands, looking disgusted, and my closet doors were thrown open.

“What the hell are you doing?” I startled her by shouting.

Sheila looked up, unconcerned by my indignation.

“Oh, Lisa. You returned early,” she remarked casually.

Like a piece of trash, she tossed the bra into the air.

“This house is being cleaned by me. It’s inappropriate for a married woman.

My mouth fell open.

“Excuse me?”

She pointed to a number of trash bags lying on the ground. They were packed full of my clothing, including dresses, lingerie, and even casual attire.

“These don’t represent what a good wife should be like, Lisa. Derek asked me to assist in organizing things while you were away.

Anger boiled out inside me.

“Organize my belongings? By discarding my clothing? Who granted you permission to do this?

Sheila straightened her shoulders and pursed her lips.

She gestured toward several trash bags on the floor. They were stuffed with my clothes, lingerie, dresses, and even casual outfits.

“To be honest, Lisa, someone needed to take over. Your wardrobe conveys the wrong message, and this house is a complete disaster. Derek is deserving of better.

It felt like a slap in the face when she said that.

Sheila had never been forgiving. She was usually making fun of my cooking and making small jabs about the way I kept the house, but this?

This was boldness on a whole new level.

“Where is Derek?” With a voice trembling with rage, I demanded.

“He’s out,” said Sheila casually. I believe I’m running errands. He is aware of my presence. We both concur that this is the best option.

Which is best?

As I stood there in shock, her words replayed in my mind. Derek had not allowed this to occur. She had been invited here.

An hour later, Derek arrived home, hammering up the stairs, while I was still standing in the bedroom, angry. Sensing that her presence would just fuel the flames, Sheila had walked to the living room.

“Lisa?” Derek said as he entered the space.

He sounded perplexed, almost irritated. “Why are you here?”

“Why am I here?” I lost my temper. “Because Mary called to inform me that a woman was looking through my belongings in our room. You can only imagine how shocked I was to learn that it was your mother.

Derek let out a sigh as though I was the one who was exaggerating the situation.

“Lisa, please relax.” Mom is only here to assist.

“Helping out?” Incredulous, I repeated.

“Yes,” he responded in an excruciatingly patient tone. “Recently, you’ve been having trouble with… well, everything. Have you not? Only the kitchen and living room are swept by you. The house as a whole is in disarray. The bed has crumbs on it. And the handle of the refrigerator is constantly sticky.

“Derek, that’s because you eat in bed! Rather than eating in the dining room or living room, you madly decide to eat in bed. Regarding the refrigerator, your peanut butter and jelly hands are the reason it’s sticky.

Then he said, “Don’t blame me for everything, Lisa!” “I thought Mom could step in while we figure things out.”

“While we figure things out?” I said it again, raising my voice. “Do you believe that’s the purpose of this break? Derek, you stated that the purpose of this separation was to rekindle our love. I’m not a broken item, so don’t bring your mother in to fix me.”

Derek gave his neck a quick rub.

“Don’t twist this, Lisa. Mom offered to help because you’ve been under a lot of stress lately. That’s all. I was surprised by your response.

I laughed resentfully.

“This is my reaction, of course! I wasn’t even informed. You brought your mom to live with us. Into my sleeping quarters! And let her discard my garments. How did you anticipate my response?

He moaned, obviously annoyed.

“You see, I didn’t anticipate this. Simply said, Mom understands what it takes to maintain a decent home, and you’ve been really busy lately. She was attempting to assist you… assist us.

I gaped at him in shock.

“You believe that this is beneficial to us? You believe it is beneficial to allow your mother to intrude into my personal space, disregard my personal boundaries, and disparage my decisions? This isn’t a partnership, Derek. It’s command. Even worse is the fact that you are unable to see that.

Derek was surprised, as if he hadn’t anticipated my level of rage. I didn’t care, though. I was finished.

Taking whatever clothes Sheila hadn’t decided weren’t proper, I packed them into a suitcase. I left without giving it another look.

Three days have passed since then. I’ve already been in touch with an attorney.

Some may think I’m exaggerating, but for me, this went beyond the humiliation of having my mother-in-law discard my possessions or the breach of privacy.

Derek made it very evident that he did not view me as an equal partner in our marriage.

He had no desire for a wife.

He wanted someone to maintain the 1950s style of the house, cook, and clean.

Well, I’m not like that.

When Derek requested a “break,” I was unsure of his expectations. What he’s getting, though, I’ll tell you.

a separation.

As the divorce is being finalized, I have now moved into Penelope’s flat. I’m eager to acquire half of Derek’s possessions.

He must comprehend the experience of having everything one day and then having it all taken away from you when you least expect it.

“What was the worst part of it all for you, sis?” Penelope inquired.

I answered, “That my husband saw me as a failure.” “Yes, our marriage wasn’t flawless. But, you know, we weren’t in such trouble. And I was always loathed by Sheila. Do you recall when she came to critique my hair and makeup when we were getting ready for the wedding?

With a groan, my sister resumed preparing the pizzas we were having for supper.

“I always knew Derek was the biggest mistake of your life,” she said.

“What?” I nearly toppled a bowl of olives with my gasp.

Quietly, “I’m sorry, Lisa,” she said. However, you lost interest in all of your pastimes after meeting him. My sister would paint anything she wanted, but where is she now? She only needed her paints and a canvas.

I remained silent for a while.

I said, “I didn’t realize,”