“Just perfecting my presentation,” before flopping down in bed. < I tried to be the kind of wife that all men wanted—supportive. I cooked him his favorite meals, kept the house immaculate, and said good-bye to him with a joyful kiss each morning. I was nervous the day before the event. To be honest, I felt more nervous than him. I had the impression of being a child once more, one who had a big exam the following morning. I even made his favorite carbonara spaghetti for supper and made sure his suit and shirt were ironed to perfection. I got up early on the day of the event to prepare breakfast for him. I told him to straighten his tie and remarked, “You’re going to blow their minds. ”Tom smiled distractedly at me. “I’m grateful, honey. I had better get moving so I don’t get late. ”I was really proud of him as he hurried out the door. I had no idea that everything in my universe was going to crumble. Tom’s laptop was on the coffee table when I saw it an hour later when I was cleaning up. My heart fell. That laptop was his presentation! “Oh no,” I whispered. “He’s going to freak out when he realizes he forgot it. ”I picked up the laptop without thinking and made my way to the Grandview Hotel. I was going to be his savior, arriving just in time to deliver his priceless presentation. However, there was something… strange about the hotel foyer as I entered. For a major business gathering, it was far too quiet. I went up to Linda, the friendly-looking receptionist. “Excuse me,” I replied, “I’m looking for the corporate event for Apex Industries?” Linda furrowed her brow. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we don’t have any corporate events scheduled today.” My stomach turned slightly. “That’s just not feasible. My spouse remarked. I began to fade off as a terrible suspicion began to develop. “Um, could you check if there’s a room booked under the name Tom Johnson?” After tapping on her computer, Linda gave a nod. “Yes, we have a Mr. Johnson in room 1408.” My hands began to shake. I managed to say, “Thank you,” and then I went to the elevators. I heard conversations as soon as I got to Tom’s floor. recognizable voices. My heart stopped as soon as I peered around the corner.My husband Tom was there, his arms encircling my closest friend Lisa. They were walking toward room 1408 while whispering and laughing. My breathing stopped. How could he subject me to this? My thoughts were racing. Was all of this fiction? Every stride they took broke my heart. Before they could escape into their room, I hurriedly took a picture of them holding hands. I need proof before anyone will believe me. Why she, though? My best friend, why?Tears were running down my cheeks at that point, but something odd had calmed down. I understood my obligations. I made my way back to the lobby and spoke with Linda once again. After glancing at my face, her eyes become sympathetic. “Oh honey,” she murmured. “I’m so sorry.”I inhaled deeply. “Linda, I need your help.” For the following hour, Linda and I worked out a strategy. I thus gave Mark, Lisa’s husband, a call first. “Mark, this is Ariana. Hey.” Lisa requested me to arrange for you to meet her at the Grandview Hotel because of something that happened at work. Could you please come over here now?” Though he seemed perplexed, Mark nodded. Linda assisted me in putting the last component of our plan together as we waited for him to arrive. I got Mark aside and told him everything when he came in looking apprehensive. I even showed him my own picture. His expression wavered between bewilderment, incredulity, and finally rage. His voice was cracking as he continued, “I can’t believe this.” “What are we going to do?”I grinned glumly. “We’re going to give them a surprise they’ll never forget.” Till Tom and Lisa exited their room once more, we waited. The elevator was set up to “malfunction” as soon as they entered by Linda. Mark entered undercover as a maintenance worker right before the doors closed. I watched the elevator doors close from around the corner. I felt like my heart was going to explode from my chest because it was thumping so strongly. Mark initiated a discussion with someone inside the elevator. “Good evening, everyone. enjoying your evening?” Tom shuffled in a nervous way. “Well, yes. A calm evening at home.” “In a fancy hotel like this?” Mark laughed. “Must be something special.”Lisa nervously laughed. “Just a little getaway.”“Oh boy,” Mark responded, fully in character. It appears that we are stuck. I will get us out of here, so don’t worry.” He continued talking nonstop while seeming to play around with the control panel. “So, are the two of you here for work or play? Here, we encounter all kinds of things. Big shots in business, lovers in secret—you name it.” Tom gave a wobbly cough. “Bit of both, I guess.” “Interesting,” thought Mark. “I work here and I hear some wild stories. Similar to last week, the spouses of this couple caught them. How embarrassing!” Tom and Lisa looked at one other in fear, not realizing that their own reckoning was coming up soon. A few excruciating minutes later, the elevator began to move once more.Mark said, “See you later, folks,” and got out of the first-floor elevator before it started to go downhill. Tom and Lisa found themselves face-to-face with Mark and me when the lobby doors opened. Their expressions had a priceless quality. Tom’s mouth fell open, and Lisa went pale as a sickly bird. “Honey, this isn’t what it looks like,” Tom stumbled to himself. I interrupted him by raising my hand. Tom, save it. I witnessed everything. Lisa burst into tears. “Ariana, please, I can explain…” Mark moved forward and removed his mask. “I think you’ve both done enough explaining for one day.”The hours that followed were a flurry of sobs, yelling, and heartbreaking admissions. By the end of it, a friendship I had cherished for years had ended along with two marriages. That evening, as I sat by myself in our apartment—no, mine—I experienced an odd jumble of feelings. Anger, pain, and betrayal—but also relief. I was free now that the truth was known. I devoted the following several weeks to starting over in my life. I started a new activity, got back in touch with old pals, and even downloaded a dating app, though I haven’t used it yet. It’s not been simple. Even now, sometimes when I wake up, I momentarily forget everything that has transpired. But then I recall, and it strengthens me rather than breaks me.I want everyone going through anything similar to know that they are not alone. Even though it hurts like hell, you can overcome it. You underestimate your strength.What about Lisa and Tom? They still together, as of the last I heard. I kind of hope they’re miserable, but really I’m over caring. My energy is not worth them.Me? My attention is on the future. Although it may not be the future I had imagined, what do you know? It seems like it will get even better. Never forget that every setback you have in life is a chance to get back up and stronger. Have you encountered anything comparable before?