My 5-Year-Old Wants to Invite ‘The Lady Who Visits Dad While Mom’s at Work’ to Her Birthday Party

When I asked my five-year-old daughter, Ellie, who else she wanted to invite to her birthday party, I wasn’t expecting my entire life to unravel.

“Mommy, can I invite the pretty lady who comes to visit Daddy while you’re at work?” she had asked.

I nearly choked on my coffee.

“What pretty lady, sweetie?” I asked, my voice careful and even.

Ellie beamed, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.

“The one with the long hair! She’s so nice! She always gives Daddy a big hug when she leaves!”

My heart plummeted.

I forced a smile. “Oh? That’s nice, sweetheart. Maybe you should invite her next time she visits.”

“Okay! I will!” Ellie clapped her hands, thrilled. “She said Daddy is really kind. Can she come? Please?

That night, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling while my husband, Jake, slept peacefully beside me. Was my husband cheating on me?

Jake had lost his job a few months ago, and while he was job-hunting, I was working longer hours to keep our family afloat. It had been tough, but we were making it work.

Had I been too distracted to notice something?

I decided not to confront him just yet. Instead, I’d let things play out at Ellie’s party.

The day of the party arrived, and I felt like I was holding a ticking time bomb.

Friends and family filled the house, balloons floated in the air, and Ellie ran around with cake frosting smeared on her cheeks.

Then—the doorbell rang.

My breath hitched.

Jake was outside helping Ellie with her presents, so I went to answer it.

Standing on the porch was a young woman, barely in her twenties.

Long dark hair. Shy smile. A small gift bag in her hands.