He Disguises Himself as a Chauffeur to Test His Wife’s Love

A distrustful millionaire masquerades as a limo chauffeur to uncover the truth about his gorgeous young wife’s afternoon activities, and what he finds astonishes him.

When Eric Montpelier turned 18, he resolved to marry Rachel Harrington. Rachel was hilarious, gorgeous, and vivacious, and to Eric’s fortune, she felt the same for him.

Their families were long-time friends, and everyone endorsed the bond between these two affluent and influential families. Eric and Rachel seemed perfect in every aspect. Who could have foreseen any conclusion other than a ‘happily ever after’?

Yet, three days before the wedding, Rachel and her three close friends took a ‘girls-only’ trip to Las Vegas. On their return journey, an 18-wheeler’s brakes failed, resulting in tragedy for four families.

For the first year, Eric existed in a haze. He believed it was all a terrible dream from which he would soon wake up. He expected Rachel to walk in, laughing, at any moment, returning life to normal.

But naturally, that didn’t happen, and Eric had to confront the reality that his beautiful bride was lost at just 23. He had to rebuild his life from the ruins of his dreams.

Eric’s parents were at a loss on how to help their grieving son. His father suggested that he join him in the business to divert his mind from his sorrow.

Eric dedicated himself to his father’s chain of gas stations, and his focused determination quickly propelled the successful business even higher. The issue was that 10 years later, Eric remained solitary.

His father grew concerned, especially after falling ill. Eric then assumed complete control of the company. “Look, I wanted him to distract himself from his grief,” his father expressed to his mother, “not live solely for business!”

They urged him to date and even introduced him to the eligible daughters of their wealthy friends, yet Eric found none of these women appealing.

Eric then chose to undertake spot inspections of some of their more distant gas stations, anonymously evaluating how each location treated its customers.

After a week of visiting remote Midwestern areas, Eric was driving home when he got a flat tire. Checking the trunk, he found there was no spare…

There was also no cellphone reception. Eric locked the car and began walking, hoping to reach a service station soon. After an hour’s walk, he found a dilapidated gas station. At last, help was in sight!

Entering the dusty shop, he approached the counter. “Excuse me,” he said, “I have a flat and no spare…” The person behind the counter, clad in oil-stained coveralls and a baseball cap, turned around, revealing a stunning girl.

He began stammering and blushing, but the girl, named Marla, found him sweet and amusing. She took him to his car in her truck and insisted on changing the tire.

Eric fell in love. In an instant, his years of loneliness and pain disappeared. He wanted Marla, and nothing would stop him. His mother was astonished when he announced Marla was a car mechanic, yet his father found it amusing.

However, Eric’s father disapproved of Marla’s impoverished background and absence of family. “She’s not our kind of people, Eric!” his father stated.

“What kind of people is that, Dad?” Eric retorted sharply. “Do we only consider the rich our kind of people?”

“No,” his father replied. “Of course not, but… You know nothing about this girl, where she’s from. She’s too young for you, and she might be after your money!”

“Come on, Dad,” Eric said. “She’s sweet and kind, and for the first time since Rachel passed away, I feel alive.” Subsequently, his parents ceased objecting to the marriage.

Marla and Eric wed with grand ceremony at his parents’ enormous country house on Martha’s Vineyard, attended by hundreds of guests, all on Eric’s side.

It seemed Marla had no family or close friends — even her bridesmaids were Eric’s sisters. “She’s hiding something,” Eric’s mother told him. “No one is that alone in the world — no one.”

But Eric ignored any criticism of Marla. He loved her and accepted her as she was. They bought a lovely new home where Marla quickly adapted to the lifestyle, including a housekeeper, two maids, and a driver.

After two years of marriage, their long-time family driver, Farrow, brought unexpected news. He showed up at Eric’s door, nervously twisting his cap.

“Sir,” he began hesitantly, “I need to talk to you about something…”

“Go on, Farrow,” Eric said. “What is it? Do you want a raise?”

Blushing, Farrow shook his head. “No sir, it’s about Mrs. Montpelier, sir…”

“What about my wife?” Eric asked, confused.

“Well sir, for the past six months, she’s been acting strangely,” Farrow said. “Every afternoon she asks to go shopping, but she has me drop her off in a very bad part of town. Then she calls two hours later for pickup with no shopping bags, sir.”

“I see,” Eric replied.

“I wouldn’t have mentioned it, sir,” Farrow continued, “but I’ve known you all my life, sir, since you were a boy…”

“Well, Farrow, maybe you can help me solve this mystery,” Eric said. “Tomorrow, tell Mrs. Montpelier your nephew will drive her due to a doctor’s appointment.

“I’ll wear your uniform, cap, and dark glasses, keeping the limo’s smoked divider up,” Eric planned. “She won’t notice me, and I’ll uncover the truth.”

That night, Eric casually asked Marla about her plans for the next day. “Oh, nothing much! Just some shopping, maybe a hair appointment…” she replied.

Don’t rush to conclusions before knowing all the facts.
Eric knew it was all a lie! That night, unable to sleep beside his beautiful wife, he wondered if his whole marriage was a sham. He believed he’d soon learn the truth.

The next day, pretending to leave for work, Eric hid in Farrow’s apartment over the garage and changed into the uniform.

Gelled back hair, dark glasses on, he waited in the car. Marla emerged at the set time, got in, and asked, “Please take me to 25 Camden Street.”

Eric drove to the address, which was in a dodgy area of town, where apartments were cheap and often housed people on the brink of homelessness.

Arriving, Marla instructed him to wait for her call before returning. She didn’t once look at Eric, genuinely preoccupied.

He parked the limo two blocks away and walked back into the decrepit building Marla had entered. What was his wife doing in such a dump? Then he heard her voice. “I’m sorry I can’t stay long, but you know I love you…”

Overcome with jealousy and anger, Eric burst through the door. Inside, the apartment was even worse, and Marla sat on a sofa holding an old man’s hands.

She stood up, pale. “Eric,” she gasped, “what are you doing here?”

“I should be asking you!” Eric demanded. “What is this place and who is this man?”

Taking a deep breath, Marla replied, “This is my father, Eric. He had a stroke, so I come to help him whenever I can.”

“But why didn’t you tell me? You said you were an orphan!” Eric asked, bewildered.

“My father was in prison; I was so ashamed,” Marla whispered. “I feared you wouldn’t want to be with a girl like me, from nowhere, with a convict father…”

Eric held Marla’s hands. “I love you, Marla, and nothing will change my mind.” Marla started crying and embraced Eric.

“Oh, Eric, I’m so sorry… I’ve hated lying to you!” Marla sobbed. She then introduced Eric to her father, who was severely affected by the stroke and unable to speak.

Eric moved Marla’s father to an assisted living facility where he received proper care, ending Marla’s need to sneak in to see him. A few weeks later, Marla brought wonderful news: Eric was going to be a father!

What can you learn from this story?

Be truthful about who you are; people will value you for your true self. Marla feared Eric wouldn’t love her if he knew about her father, but she was mistaken.

Don’t make hasty conclusions without knowing all the details. Eric suspected Marla of infidelity, but she was lovingly caring for her sick father.

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