After closing a big deal last night over dinner, I caught an early plane home. I was out late with Earl Johnson, my client, celebrating our agreement and the huge bonus I would receive at the end of the month. It will be enough to finally be able to take Piper on vacation to Italy as I had promised her at the beginning of the year!
I texted Piper last night but never heard back. It was a Thursday night, her Girls Night out with the girls from her office, so I knew she was having fun with them. I will see her tonight. I planned to buy her some flowers and take her to dinner to announce the big deal closing and the Italy trip!
My plane landed, I gathered my luggage, and I made it to my car. As I sat there, I texted Piper.
My text: "Hey baby, want to go to dinner tonight, got good news to share?"
Piper's text: "Sure, what time are you back?"
My text; "Just landed, going to run to the office and be home normal time!"
Piper's text: "Tom, you're in town now? I thought you didn't land till late this afternoon!"
My text: "That was the plan, but after last night, I need to get to the office and do some things before the weekend. I took an early flight!"
There was a long gap with no answer. I drove along and decided I could work from home and deserved the rest of the day off, so I went home.
As I turned down the street, I saw a car resembling Marian's, Piper's best friend. Then there was a shiny black Corvette parked across the road, and I wondered who it was.
As I pulled into the driveway, I got a text from Piper.
Piper's text: "Sorry Tom, I got distracted. OK, well, I'll see you at home later. Surprise me with the restaurant!"
I thought that was a weird text, but I responded with a 'smiley face emoji'!
I pulled into the garage, grabbed my bags, and walked into the house. There was music playing somewhere, and I walked through the mudroom into the kitchen and stopped dead in my tracks.
My God, what the hell? In front of me was a total disaster. Scattered around the kitchen were a couple dozen beer cans and bottles, half a dozen empty wine bottles, and half-empty wine glasses. On the counter were plates of half-eaten food and ashtrays with cigarette buts and half-smoked blunts.
Jesus, I shook my head. It was a mess, and I was afraid to look at other rooms.
I took out my phone and got a lot of pictures, not touching anything.
There was a party here last night or even longer! That was what Piper's weird text was about.
I walked out into the living room. Jesus, it was another disaster. There were more beer cans, wine bottles, and glasses. There was a giant ashtray on the coffee table I had never seen before. It was full of cigarette butts and several partially smoked joints. There was a stench in the air. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it smelt like stale cigarettes, reefer, booze, and something else. As I looked around, I saw a bong, and some opened foil wrappers on the end table beside the sofa. I picked one up, 'Fuck… condoms!
Then it hit me; that was the other ingredient in the air. The strong scent of SEX!
What the fuck went on here last night. Who was here? What had Piper done?
A horrible feeling of fear, anger, and disgust overtook me. I felt sick!
I carried my bag down the hall to the stairs up to our bedroom and saw a trail of clothes leading up the stairs. I picked up a bra and was relieved that it was not Piper's size. But whose was it?
I left my bag at the bottom of the steps and followed the trail of clothes up the stairs. The clothing trail continued down the hall, scattered into the guest room, and the music I heard came from there.
I slipped off my shoes. I quietly walked down the hall. The door to the guestroom was partially open. I looked in. What the fuck? On the bed, naked, were Marian and some black guy with a big cock laying along his thigh. They were sleeping. I looked around the room; there were other cans, bottles, and condom wrappers. I didn't touch anything but took pictures and a short video scanning the room. I walked back down the hall, letting them sleep.
As I stepped into our bedroom, I was shocked. A feeling of dread spread over me, and the churning in my stomach became worse. I stopped at the door, looking in at a total disaster in front of me. The bed was a complete wreck, and there were clothes all over the floor. Some of them I thought were Piper's and other women's and men's too!
I walked into the room. There was an empty wine bottle, two glasses, and a half-empty bottle of Patron. Half a dozen used condom wrappers were scattered around on the bedside table, the floor, and the waste basket.
I took pictures and a video.
They walked into the bathroom. There was more evidence. Some clothes were stuffed in the hamper, and there were used condoms, large ones, in the trash can. One used condom was lying on the toilet seat rim, full of a big load of cum. The whole scene was disgusting.
I opened the hamper and pulled out some of Piper's clothes. There were several pairs of panties, and I picked up the first pair. They were soaking wet. I held them up and could see the crotch was coated with cum, both Piper's and that of another man. I laid them on the counter, picking up the next pair. They were the same, with dried cum covering the crotch. The third was the same. I poured out the remaining clothes but found no more. But I had also found another saw pair in the bedroom, so there were four pairs altogether.
My anger rose to a critical level. My mind flashed over what I was looking at and thinking. What had Piper done, and whom had she done it with?
Up to this point, I had remained calm and assessed the situation. I was amazed I was able to do that. I sat on the tub edge for a minute, trying to clear my mind. What the fuck had I just walked into? It was not just a one-night party; it must have gone on for several days. I had been away for four days, so this must have started the day I left!
I took more pictures, closeups of the condoms and wrappers, thirty or so, then another video.
Then I set up the panties on the counter and took pictures of everything I saw, each pair of panties in detail, the clothes in the hall, the condom wrappers, the destroyed bed, and the big wet spot in the middle of the sheets. I noticed that the panties were all from Victoria's Secrets, and Piper doesn't like them, so they must be someone else's panties. That was of some relief.
I walked downstairs with my shoes in hand and set them in the kitchen with my luggage and briefcase.
I took a beer out of the fridge and drank it, looking outside.
"Holy Shit…" three more naked people were lying by the pool, two big black guys and a blonde, white girl. I didn't know what to think! They looked passed out.
I took pictures of them from the window and took more photos and videos of everything I saw. The beer cans, wine bottles, drugs, and thin white dust on a mirror on the counter, knowing what that was.
I went back upstairs, gathered more clothes I needed, and packed a bag so I could get the rest later. I looked around our bedroom, not knowing when or if I would be back.
I checked the wastebasket, and there were five used condoms and an empty Astro glide tube. I pulled out a small trash bag, used tissue for fishing them out, and put them in the bag. I checked the shower, and there was one more condom on the floor, and I scooped it up.
I returned to the hamper and took out all the soiled panties, putting them in the bag.
I carried my evidence and my suitcase downstairs. I checked the trash for more evidence. There were several more condoms in the kitchen trash, so I took them, a couple of used joints from the ashtray, and some beer cans for DNA. I put them all in plastic bags. I wasn't sure what I was doing with all of this, but I knew I needed it as evidence for my protection when I divorced Piper!
I took a few final pictures, picked up my suitcases and bags of evidence, and left. I put them in my car, returned to my home office, and opened my safe. I took out my 9mm, the $25K in cash, and all my securities and bank information. I made sure that I had my original Prenup Agreement and my will. I only left Piper's birth certificate and the title to the house.
I quietly put on my shoes and left home for the last time.
It was just after noon, so I went to the office. When I walked in, everyone cheered me on for making the big sale. I appreciated them all, especially since I found out my wife was cheating on me, in my house, in my bed!!
I talked to James, the President of the company. I told him, "Since I closed the big sales that Rachelle and I will finish, I have some personal things I need to get straightened out, so I am taking next week off. I will work Saturday to get all the info entered so the order can be processed on Monday."
"Is everything OK at home Tom?" sensing something was wrong.
"Well, to be honest, I don't know, James. That's what I need to figure out!"
"If I can help in any way, son, just let me know. You know you are like family to me," gripping my shoulder and squeezing it.
I thanked him and left. I went to my office and gave Rachelle all the documents for the sales. Then we headed out to lunch. Rachelle is a sweet young lady and very efficient in her job. We are close but only from a business point of view, good business friends. She just got married to a super guy, a VP of our local bank.
As we ate, she could tell something wasn't right.
"Tom, what's going on? You seem distracted. Is everything OK"
I looked at her and knew I needed to tell someone, so I said. "OK, under penalty of DEATH, you cannot repeat anything I will tell you!"
"Tom, what is it? What has happened?"
"I think Piper is cheating on me!"
"NO WAY!" She was shocked at what I told her.
"Yes, I am sorry to say, it's true!"
I got home early today after closing the big deal with Earl last night. I went home straight from the airport, and the house was a fucking disaster. There were condoms everywhere, and beer cans and wine bottles littered the place. There were clothes strewn all over the house, and Marian, Piper's best friend, and some black guys were sleeping naked in the guest room. Out by the pool were three more naked people passed out.
"Oh my God, Tom, I am so sorry!"
"That was not the worst of it. I went into the bathroom. Used condoms were in the trash, on the floor, and in the shower. I checked the clothes hamper for pairs of Piper's panties. There were four pairs full of cum, hers and some fucking guys, crusted in the crotch!"
"Oh no, that's horrible!" Rachelle cried aloud.
Suddenly my breathing became hard, and I felt sick. I couldn't eat anymore. I was numb and had no idea what to do.
Rachelle reached across the table and took my hand. She squeezed it as a tear rolled down my cheek. I looked down and whipped my face.
"What are you going to do?"
"I packed more clothes, took the cash, all my valuable papers, and my gun, and left. I made a reservation at a hotel in Anderson, so she can't find me. She will start looking for me when I don't come home and don't answer her calls or text.
"Piper will call the office looking for me. You know nothing. I'm not telling you where I am staying, so you can honestly tell her you don't know where I am. I will be taking a few days off starting Monday. Can you come for a couple of hours on Saturday and help me clear my desk off?"
"Sure, what time?"
"Would 10 am be, OK? We should finish by noon!"
We finished eating, paid the bill, and drove Rachelle back to work.
I headed to the Holiday Inn in Anderson, forty miles away.
I was still running on adrenalin. This whole mess hadn't hit me yet. I checked into the hotel and put my clothes away. I had booked it for a week, so I had time to figure things out.
As I sat looking out over the parking deck, I thought over the five years Piper, and I had been married. I thought we were perfect together, and we loved each other. I still love Piper, but I wasn't sure after seeing what I saw today. I know I can't just turn my love off like a switch. It's part of me, who I am!
After Rachelle and I got to the restaurant, I turned my phone off. It was about 3:30 now, and it was time that I thought through everything I needed to do. I pulled out a yellow pad and scribbled down a list of things I needed to do immediately.
Call a lawyer. Split my bank accounts. Cancel joint credit cards and set up separate ones for me. Talk to my broker about protecting my investments so they can't be touched. I am safe there since the Prenuptial Agreement should cover all of that. I am sure of the same with my 401K, but I need to change the beneficiary on everything!
I needed a Private Investigator. I knew William, my brother, had a good one he used, so I needed to call him.
The list was a good start. I used the house phone to start calling.
I called Jason Kelly Esq. He is my attorney and the lawyer that drafted my Prenuptial Agreement, my will, and a few other essential things I have needed. I needed an appointment ASAP.
His assistant answered and put me right through. I briefly told Jason what the issue was, and we decided to meet in Anderson for dinner at 6:30 and go over everything I knew. I told him I had my copies of the legal papers with me, and Piper's copies were in her safety deposit box at the bank.
I called my brother William and briefly told him what I suspected and that I needed a good PI to get me proof and confirmation! He recommended the Thomas Wink Agency, and he called Thomas, and we had a three-way call.
I told Thomas the situation, and we agreed to meet tomorrow morning at his office. He asked for my wife's contact details and home address so he could get started tonight! I supplied all the info he needed, and we hung up.
I called my banker Ed Koch. I moved 50% of the money from the joint checking account, and 50% from the savings account into a new personal account. There were two bank CDs, and I removed myself from one and had Piper removed for the other, leaving each of us with equal CD values. I canceled our joint credit cards and paid off the balance. That left Piper with two credit cards but none of them tied to me.
I called Mercedes leasing, canceling the lease on Piper's SUV. I was not paying for it anymore, and I would pay the penalty for getting out of the lease. I gave them the address where they could pick it up at the end of the month.
Monday, I would call the HR department at my company in St Louis. I needed to remove Piper as any beneficiary for insurance, 401K, and any severance or other compensation my company may payout upon my death! I will change that all for my brother.
I also called my insurance agent and had my brother assigned as the beneficiary for my two life insurance policies.
After two hours, I slumped back on the bed and cried. It was finally hitting me. My wife, the woman I loved more than life, had cheated on me!
I curled up in a ball and cried for a long time, soaking the pillow and sheets. Today was the saddest I have ever been, and it was even worse than when my mother passed away last year. My life as I knew it was over, and there was suddenly a massive void in my future!
I lay there a long time feeling sorry for myself and getting madder and madder by the minute. I was about to explode with anger. But finally, as I lay there, I calmed and took deep breaths, knowing I needed to find out what was happening and how terrible things were.
I finally got up and took a shower, soaking in it for over thirty minutes. When I came out, I dried myself and dressed in my jeans and a polo shirt. I raided the minibar for a couple of beers and drank them slowly.
My mind was clearing a little. I looked forward to talking with Jason over dinner in about an hour and working out a plan to move forward.
I knew I needed to turn my phone on, but I wanted to wait to talk to Jason before I did anything. I needed Piper to work herself into a frenzy worrying about what had happened to me. She deserved that pain, and I wanted her to feel a lot of pain like I was feeling.
I had a couple of paths I could take. I could go home to Piper and move on like things were, all the same, playing the part while I get all the information I can to see just how bad things are. How long has this been going on? Who is she fucking and all those details or I could do what I have done and leave her straight away! Neither option was a viable choice, so maybe there were others I haven't seen yet.
Jason called me on the hotel phone. "Hey man, I'll be outside in five minutes. I'll pick you up, and we can go to Élan's, an excellent restaurant here in Anderson. No one will see us, and we can talk openly there."
I washed my face and brushed my hair. I looked at myself in the mirror and looked beaten down, just like I felt. My so-called beautiful life was over, 'What Now'?
I met Jason out front and headed to the restaurant. We settled in a corner booth, which was early, so the room was empty.
We ordered drinks and an antipasto plate.
I took a big breath and told Jason the whole story as I knew it. I handed him the documents I had.
"So, Tom, what do you want to do?
I looked at him and took a slug of my drink. "My first thought was to dump the bitch and fuck her over as severely as possible. But I realized my emotions were out of control, which may not be the best plan. After thinking over everything I know, then going through all the processes to protect myself and my finances, I still need more information than I must make a clear and correct decision.
I need to make sure that I know what is happening and not assume anything. There are a lot of details I do not know, and I can't make rash decisions on half the information.
I believe Piper has been cheating on me from what I saw and the evidence. There might have even been an orgy at my house last night. I talked to my neighbor, who commented, "You guys had a crazy party last night. What was going on? Eight cars were parked in front of your house for several days. P and people were always coming and going."
"So, there is a lot I don't know and need to find out. I am meeting with a PI in the morning to get him to investigate the past several months and move forward. He started tonight doing whatever he does."
"Neither of us wants to know how he does it; we just want the information," Jason told me.
"I understand. I am not to ask anything about methods."
"Have you communicated with Piper at all? Does she know where you are?
"No, I was planning on just leaving her, but I have decided to go home and let things play out. I am telling her they called me into a long meeting, and my phone died, so I couldn't respond to her. I am going home right after we finish our meeting."
"Do you want me to prepare divorce papers now or wait?
"Tell me the divorce laws concerning adultery and what that means to me?"
Jason explained that adultery in this state is terrible for the cheating party, and I would be protected and could dictate the terms of the divorce. "Since there are no children, you could cut her out of everything and would not have any liability for alimony or any type of support. Since Piper has a decent job, you can make almost any settlement offer, and the court will accept it."
During our talk, we ordered. I didn't have an appetite, but I ate as I listened to Jason explain things.
"So, how does my Prenuptial Agreement fit in?"
"All your family money and the money you brought into the marriage is protected. As I look at it, you don't owe Piper anything if she has cheated on you! You can give her only what is here from her investments and her 401K and cash. You can give her the house, sell it, split the proceeds, or throw her out and keep it yourself. Piper is in a very vulnerable position."
"Let me ask, do you love Piper? Is there any chance you will be willing to work through this and stay with her!"
I sat for a minute thinking about that question, the same question I had run through my head all afternoon.
"Jason, I love Piper, and I don't want to lose her, but I cannot accept that she has cheated on me. I don't know how I could trust her in the future! There is so much I don't know now that I need to find out before deciding. The PI reports will help me understand better what she has been doing."
"The most important thing is Piper's honesty. Is she going to admit what she has done? Is she truly remorseful, and do I believe her? Do I feel I can trust her, and do I want to live with this cloud hanging over us forever!"
"Once all that has been examined, I will make my decision."
"That sounds like a good plan, so let's get you home and into the fray!" reaching over and shaking my hand. "You know I am here for you, whatever you need. Keep me posted, OK?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sat in my car, looking at my phone. I suspected there would be a lot of calls, texts, and emails from Piper wondering where I was. She doesn't know I was home, has learned about her cheating, and is worried about me!
I turn my phone on, and it explodes. There are almost twenty combined messages. I decided to listen to the first two voice mails, read the first two texts, and read the first two emails. Then I would determine if I was reading any more.
I clicked the first voice mail. "Tom, where are you? I thought you were coming home early, and we were going out to dinner; call me?"
I clicked on the second left thirty minutes later. "Tom, I am worried now. Where are you? You haven't been home, have you? It looks like some of your things are missing! Call me!"
I thought for a minute and skipped forward an hour to the fifth text: "Jesus Tom, what is going on. Why are your clothes gone? Where are you? I tried to use the joint credit card for gas, and it declined. What's going on? Call me. I'm worried; come home?"
Then I read her last email about an hour ago.
"Tom,
Have I done something? Where are you? I am so worried no one knows where you are. You told me earlier you were already in town and were coming home early. We were going to dinner tonight. Did you come home? You must have. Some of your clothes are gone. What is happening? I don't understand. Call me, come home; please, I am scared. Are you hurt? You might be in the hospital! Where are you? God, I love you. Please come home!
Piper
She was getting frantic now, and I didn't want her running to the police and stirring that stuff up.
Then I skipped to the last text 10 minutes ago. "Tom, PLEASE, call me. Come home. I have called the hospitals, and thank God you are not in any of them. Where are you, why are you doing this, and what is happening?
Just as I finished reading the text, my phone rang again. It was Piper.
I took a deep breath and calmed myself. I answered, "Hello!"
"Oh, Thank God, you are alright, Tom!" she moaned into the phone, crying. What is going on? Where are you? Why have you not called me or come home?"
"Piper, do you have something to tell me?