My Husband Hired a ‘Sweet’ Caregiver for His Mom – She Turned Out to Be His Lover

Someone might betray you right in front of you without hiding it. Because you believe in your partner, the mistakes and issues are harder to notice. That instant, the real truth becomes impossible to deny.
My name is Cassie and I am 35 years old and I have been married to Ben, 38, for seven years. Because of some health problems I faced, we are unable to have children.

Still, we formed a life together that I was really happy with. Real estate is Ben’s area and I work in IT which keeps me busy and satisfied.
We had our issues in our marriage, but I still felt it was really strong.

Caring was always something Ben was better at. Three years ago, when I found out I had endometriosis, he would use his days off of work to take me to every specialist I saw. He’d give me both heating pads and ice cream even when I didn’t ask.

For our fifth anniversary, he took me back to the cabin where our first meeting happened and we repeated every detail, even what wine we drank.
That was the Ben who I knew. Careful, thoughtful and one who remembered all the little bits.

A few months earlier, Ben’s mom, Sharon, had a small stroke. She has always treated me nicely, never living up to the regular horror stories of a monster-in-law.

After she was better, we asked her to come and live with us to support her well-being. She didn’t have to be watched all the time, but being there for her helped make everyone feel better.

She said, “I don’t want you to have to take care of me all the time,” when we were discussing the move.
Ben said, “Mom, you’ve taken such good care of me my whole life,” and he squeezed her hand. I will be glad to help you too.

We found it difficult to handle the responsibilities of work and caregiving. Two days a week, I worked at home and the saleswoman helped coordinate things to fit with our needs, but there were still times when Sharon was alone.

After having a very tough month, Ben suggested bringing in a caregiver.

He said this was just for the times when we are both on the job during dinner one night. A person who spends time with Mom, cooks for her if needed and reminds her to use her medicines.

I released a sigh of relief. This sounds just what I need. Is it wise to work with marketing agencies?”
Ben gave a little shake of his head. Actually, I feel I’ve found someone I like already. She became my friend at work because someone recommended her.”

“Oh?” I gave a little glance of surprise. You did that in no time at all.

She is known as Lena. She is 28 and has gained experience by looking after numerous elderly patients.” His expression became happier as he talked. She’s a really wonderful person. Very patient, just as a daughter would be with her clients. Her mother will be very happy with her.”

There was something about how he showed his enthusiasm that stood in my mind, but I ignored it. Ben really enjoyed helping others.

I had coffee with her yesterday to ask her the questions I needed to ask. Cass, I think she is perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
What payment plans are there? I inquired in a practical way.

Ben made a few sounds to clear his throat. They charge a thousand a week.

I almost swallowed my wine wrongly. “A thousand? If you are signing up for part-time care?”

He made it clear that he thought the best care was worth the expense. Mom really deserves everything wonderful. And Lena is our favorite.”
On the following day, Ben came home and showed Lena her paperwork.

It didn’t have references I could verify and there were lists of certificates from programs I’d never heard about. I did trust my husband to decide what was best for us. If Yoda was certain, especially when caring for people, he usually knew what to do.

When is the soonest time for her to begin? I gave back the folder and asked.
Ben smiled: “Monday!” I think you’re going to really like her, Cass. Above all, Mom is sure to appreciate it as well.

When I nodded, I tried to push aside the strange feeling I suddenly had. Perhaps all my doubts would have gone away sooner, but I didn’t listen to my senses early on.

Each week, Lena went to work at nine in the morning and stayed till around two.

The situation struck me as a bit strange at the very start. Her hair was smooth and brown and her face was always full of a pleasant smile.

Sharon seemed to feel uncomfortable with her, but didn’t say anything about it. I’d see her looking skeptically at Lena when she didn’t think anyone saw her.
How is she finding the job? I approached Sharon when she was out in the living room one afternoon shortly after Lena went off to the kitchen.

“Attentive” was Sharon’s answer. Being very attentive to some important issues.

Lena served tea to us before we could ask anything and that interrupted Sharon.

The behavior of Lena toward Ben was the part that bothered me the most. She giggled at everything he said, stood very close as he talked and reached out to touch his arm when she agreed with him.

It was only after two weeks that I saw Lena did not have the right medical qualifications.
Sharon was not checked properly for blood pressure and her medication times were mixed up.

She tended to help out rather than having proper caregiving knowledge.

Were you able to see that her documents were valid? One night I asked Ben this question.

He immediately acted as if his name was being attacked. Of course I did something about it. She’s working very well. My mother is very fond of her.

I’m not completely sure she does that all the time. Lena seems unfamiliar with the skills needed to care for a sick person.

Don’t worry so much, he said, irritated. Not all of us need to act like you, Cassie.

His way of talking surprised me. This wasn’t the Ben I had ever known.
A day came when Sharon spoke to me privately since Ben was taking a shower. I was surprised when I felt her fingers tightly clutch my wrist.

Can you help by getting one of those cameras? There are times when I’m alone that I feel unsafe. I could lose my balance and fall and nobody would be around to help me.

I grew very discouraged. Did something occur, Sharon?

She looked up the hallway. “Uh… no… All I wish is that you help and look after me with the cameras. I thought you could help me because I know that Ben is not very tech-savvy.”
The way she said, “watch over me,” sent shivers all over me.
I said, “I am happy to do so.”

I put up three camouflaged nanny cameras the next day. There are security cameras in the hallway, the living room and close to Sharon’s room. I didn’t mentioned it to Ben.

I knew she had asked me to keep it secret and I sensed he wouldn’t like it.

After a few days, I sat down to look at the footage over my lunch break at work. What was in front of me made me sick to my stomach.

Sharon wasn’t being helped very much by Lena. Film of her showed that she spent long hours on her phone or watching television. Sometimes, she did the exercises fast, forgot about her pills and one time she got angry with Sharon for spilling tea.
What caused my heart to break was seeing Ben.

He would come to see me sometime during the day while I was away. They used to sit next to each other on the couch, laugh a lot and hold each other lovingly.
I was very disappointed, though I understood why. A little voice inside me thought something wasn’t right. I hoped that I would find something innocent, but saw betrayal after betrayal.

The following discussion was what finally caused my sadness to become anger. Ben and Lena thought they were far enough apart that no one could overhear them outside.

Soon you will have your own beach house, baby,” said Ben. I’m going to describe to my mother all the help you’ve given and the reasons you deserve commendation.
Lena giggled. Is there anything about your wife? And what of her own feelings?

Ben shrugged. “Cassie’s clueless. Has always existed.”

I didn’t go to Ben right away. I decided to visit Sharon with the footage. We both stayed in her room, looking at the proof of what her son had done.

She went on, whispering, “I was suspicious.” I don’t want to see… you planning to take my land.

We set up a plan as a team.

Ben had promised Lena the use of his beach house and Sharon decided to invite everyone there for her party.
She invited all the girls, including Lena and thanked her for being in their lives, saying she felt like part of their family.

Everyone was present when Sharon got up to give a speech.

“I want to say thank you, Lena, for all that you did for me,” she answered. My thanks are shown by giving you this beach house.”

Lena was full of excitement and Ben was very happy to see it.

Sharon suddenly began to sound upset. This answer must be the very thing you dreamt you’d hear after what happened with Jared.
People were surprised to hear the question.

I got up then and presented some of the images taken from the hidden cameras. Images of Ben and Lena in very compromising situations appeared.

I made the video so everyone could watch what they were saying about the beach house.

Ben did not say a word. Lena turned very pale and then ran out of the room crying.

Ben gave a weak try at explaining himself as he said, “Mom, it’s okay. I know what I did wrong.”

I had her save it. I’ve contacted a lawyer at this point.

Consequences appeared quickly. That very night, Ben packed up and went to live somewhere else. I initiated the process for getting a divorce. Ben found out that his mother was fired from her job and also found out that his mother had rewritten her will to leave out Ben and Lena.
We have become closer as a result of what has happened. We’ve helped each other out and our unplanned friendship brought us strength.

I have learned something quite valuable. I recently learned this from Sharon when she and I were sitting at the beach house porch. Go with what your inner voice tells you. If it seems not right, then it is probably not right. Always bring close people brave enough to understand reality with you.

I looked at the sunset while nodding.

In some cases, the family you build is more powerful than the family you grow up with. Often, going through the toughest betrayals brings out those who are truly by your side.