We were at a fancy corporate party, celebrating my husband Mark’s big promotion. He was glowing, surrounded by handshakes and congratulations. I stood near the dessert table, holding our 4-year-old daughter Sophie’s hand, proud of him — until she suddenly pointed across the room and shouted:
“MOMMY! LOOK! THAT’S THE LADY WITH THE WORMS!”
The room didn’t go silent, but I swear I heard forks pause mid-air. I gently crouched down, hoping to quiet her before more people noticed.
“Worms?” I whispered. “Sweetheart, what worms?”
Sophie blinked, then leaned in like it was a secret.
“Daddy said she has worms. I saw them when we were—”
She stopped herself. Cheeks pink. Then whispered:
“He told me not to tell you. He said you’d get really mad.”
My blood ran cold.
And just like that, Mark appeared beside me — smiling, holding his drink like nothing was wrong.
I looked at him, voice low:
“Hey. Can we talk? Now?”
What Sophie said next shattered everything I thought I knew.
I thought my husband and I would be together until death do us part like our vows said, but I discovered a horrible secret he was hiding. The truth about his double life was exposed by our little daughter, forcing me to make sure he could never hurt me again.
