Deceitful Husband Involves Stepchild in Scandal, Betrayed Wife Outsmarts Him

To conceal his infidelity, Herman causes emotional turmoil for his stepson. When his spurned wife, the boy’s mother, uncovers the truth, she methodically delivers retribution.

The smooth tunes of Billie Holiday immersed the room, the singer’s voice enveloping the two intertwined on the white couch. Herman, in his thirties, and his secret lover, Jezebel, stole moments in the dimly lit living space.

“This feels so wrong!” Jezebel murmured. “What if your wife comes back early?”

“My wife hasn’t returned early in over a year! We have the whole morning,” Herman assured.

“The whole morning!” Jezebel repeated. “Well, then let’s not waste it, Mr. Loverman. Kiss me like you mean it.”

“That’s just the beginning; wait and see,” Herman replied, casting away his sweater.

They were lost in each other until a creak from the door startled them. Panic took hold; Herman’s wife was supposed to be gone for hours.

“Who could it be?” Jezebel whispered.

“It can’t be my wife,” Herman said, panicking. “She told me she was working late. Quick, get—”

The front door closed with a thud, leaving Herman to face the consequences.

A young voice broke the silence. “Herman? Are you here?” Herman’s stepson, Jake, walked in, backpack on his shoulders.

“Why are you home, Jake?” Herman asked, irritated.

“They sent us home early because of a scare,” Jake explained. “They thought someone had a gun at school. Herman, who is this lady?” Jake asked, looking at Jezebel.

Herman dismissed Jezebel’s presence. “Jake, you’re imagining things.”

“But I see a lady right there,” Jake persisted.

Herman crafted a lie about Jake’s shock from the school incident.

“Close your eyes and count to ten. If you can’t see the ghost, it can’t see you. And watch, it’ll vanish if you do that.”

Jezebel slipped into the bedroom while Jake counted. When he opened his eyes, the woman was gone.

“Did I make her disappear?” Jake exclaimed.

“You got rid of the ghost. You’re a brave boy,” Herman praised.

After coaxing Jake to keep the encounter secret, Herman allowed him unlimited screen time.

Once Jake left, Jezebel returned, disapproving of Herman’s actions. “What was that? You lied to your son?”

“Stepson,” Herman corrected. “What did you expect? Tell him the truth about us? I’ll do anything to keep us together.”

Jezebel sighed. “Alright, fine,” she said.

“That was close, though,” Herman remarked. “Let’s continue some other time!”

“Yeah,” she agreed, kissing him goodbye. “See you later, Mr. Loverman,” she added seductively.

Herman’s wife, Grace, came home at dusk. Tension hung over dinner as they sat down to eat. Jake seized the moment to recount his strange day.

“Mom,” he began, “we left school early today because they thought someone had a gun inside the building.”

“What…what happened?” Grace gasped.

“It turned out to be a false alarm. Everything’s fine, right, Jake?” Herman interjected.

“I’m okay,” Jake said. “But when I got home, I saw a ghost.”

“A ghost?” Grace asked, worried.

“It’s just his imagination,” Herman intervened, hiding his nerves. “Post-traumatic stress from the school scare.”

Ignoring Herman, Grace focused on Jake. “What did the ghost look like?”

“She was a lady with big, frizzy hair,” Jake described.

“She?” Grace repeated, eyeing Herman.

Herman chuckled nervously. “He’s just in shock. Go watch some cartoons,” he told Jake.

After Jake left, Herman leaned in, trying to placate Grace. The tension remained.

“I’ll call the school for an appointment with a psychologist,” Grace said. “Since you’re not working, you can take him.”

Herman almost yelled, “I’m trying to find a job!”

“I know. But maybe spend less time at Moe’s Diner and help more with Jake,” Grace suggested stiffly.

Herman said little, promising to help with her son.

After dinner, Grace decided to talk to Jake. “Talking to the counselor might help you understand what’s going on, sweetie, alright?”

“Okay, Mom,” Jake said kindly and wished Herman and Grace goodnight.

Herman’s heart sank with regret, knowing his secret affair with Jezebel was coming apart. He had hoped to manage it better, but it was growing increasingly difficult.

As they sat in the living room, Grace’s eyes met Herman’s. “It’s best we take him to the doctor. My boy’s well-being matters.”

They argued again, with Herman saying it wasn’t necessary, but Grace’s determination won. “I’ll make an appointment with the psychologist for Jake! And I’m taking him myself!”

In Dr. Warren’s colorful office, Jake’s anxiety was visible. His small hands clutched the chair.

Dr. Warren greeted him kindly. “Let’s talk about what happened, Jake.”

Jake hesitated, recalling the frightening incident and Herman’s ghost trick. “Herman said closing my eyes would make the ghost disappear.”

Dr. Warren turned to Grace. “What trick did Herman show him? What ghost?”

Grace explained Herman’s presence in their lives — her second husband — and Jake continued, “Herman said when I close my eyes, the ghost can’t see me, so it goes away.”

Dr. Warren spoke gently to Jake. “Shutting your eyes doesn’t make dangers vanish. It’s important to talk to someone you trust.”

Jake nodded, sharing his fear of the ghost breaking up his family. “I saw a lady. I’m scared she’ll make Herman leave Mom.”

Dr. Warren looked at Grace. “I recommend regular sessions to help Jake understand his feelings. Jake,” he added, turning to the boy, “can you wait outside for a moment? Your mom will join you soon. I need to schedule your next appointment with her.”

Jake nodded and left the room.

“I divorced his father because he was unfaithful. He had an affair,” Grace told Dr. Warren.

The doctor nodded. “What’s happening with Jake is a textbook case of Kleinian Projective Identification,” he explained.

“Is it serious? What can we do?” Grace asked, worried.

“Don’t worry,” Dr. Warren reassured her. “Projective identification is a concept in child psychology from Melanie Klein’s work. It entails a child projecting feelings onto someone or something, making others share those feelings, leading to behaviors like Jake’s. We can address this.”

“I just want what’s best for Jake,” Grace said, concerned. “If you think you can help him, we’ll do whatever it takes.”

“I’d like to work with Jake regularly,” Dr. Warren continued. “He may need therapy and medication. I’m here to support both of you.”

Grace updated Herman on the diagnosis at dinner. “What did the doctor call it?” Herman asked.

“Something about projecting fears onto the external world,” Grace replied.

“Is it a real issue?” Herman questioned.

“Yes, according to Dr. Warren. Jake might need medication,” Grace answered.

Herman lowered his head, focusing on his meal. “Is something wrong?” Grace asked.

“Uh, no, no, nothing wrong,” Herman said unconvincingly. “Just thinking.”

“I’m taking the afternoon off tomorrow to have lunch with Jake. Spending time together might help him open up.”

“Okay,” Herman agreed, uneasy.

At Moe’s Diner, Grace and Jake discussed their meal options. Suddenly, Jake closed his eyes, mentioning the ghost from their living room.

“The ghost? Are you sure, sweetie?” Grace asked, concerned.

Jake pointed to the frizzy-haired waitress, Jezebel. Grace approached her to inquire about any unusual happenings at the diner. But Jezebel brushed off any ghostly claims.

Grace, skeptical, pressed further, “It’s just that kids sometimes sense things, you know? Odd vibes or occurrences. Knowing there’s nothing unusual would really help me and my son.”

Jezebel dismissed Grace’s concerns, citing Jake’s vivid imagination. Grace thanked her and returned to the table.

But something felt off about Jezebel. Grace sensed that the truth was close.

When Jezebel served the food, Grace remained silent. Jake shut his eyes and counted again.

“It’s okay now, Jake, she’s gone,” Grace assured. Jake opened his eyes, returning to his ice cream.

Grace had an idea. “Jake, should we call Herman and invite him for lunch?”

Jake nodded reluctantly.

Grace smiled. “But my phone’s dead. I’ll ask the waitress if I can use hers.”

Approaching Jezebel, Grace said, “My phone’s out of battery. Can I use yours to make a quick call to my office?”

Jezebel hesitantly handed over her phone. “Sure, go ahead,” she said.

Grace dialed Herman’s number and was stunned to see “Loverman” as the caller ID on Jezebel’s phone. Shocked, she quickly ended the call and returned to the table. The truth was now clear.

With a faint smile, she encouraged Jake to finish his meal.

After arranging a playdate for Jake, Grace returned home. Settling on the couch, she called Dr. Warren.

“It’s Grace. I need your help and support.”

Grace recounted the events, revealing her plan to remove Herman’s belongings. Dr. Warren backed her decision.

Soon, movers arrived, packing Herman’s things.

When Herman arrived, he was puzzled. “Grace, what’s happening? Why are these men taking our things?” he asked, confused.

Grace mimicked the trick Herman had played on their son, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

“Oh, Herman, what men? I don’t see any men. You must be seeing ghosts. Also, those aren’t our things; they’re yours.”

Herman’s face turned pale. The tables had turned.

His voice shook, “Grace, you must believe me. I didn’t want any of this to happen. I—”

Grace interrupted him, her voice strong and unwavering. “Herman, there’s no room for excuses. The time for lies and betrayal is over. To me, you’re nothing but a ghost!”

Herman’s eyes filled with regret, but Grace’s stance remained firm. She informed him that his belongings were being moved to storage, signaling the end of their shared life.

“I’ve also consulted with Dr. Warren, and we’ve filed criminal charges for emotional abuse. The police will be here shortly.”

Soon, two officers arrived, their badges gleaming. They read Herman his rights and arrested him; justice was served.

Grace, feeling vindicated, stood by the door. She closed her eyes and counted to ten – her way of making Herman’s ghost disappear.

Opening her eyes, she saw Jake, who ran to her and hugged her tightly.

Grace held him close. The path ahead was unknown, but they were together and ready to face whatever lay ahead with courage and love.

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