The Sneaky Affairs Club

[Zacky, man, you’re a legend. Ten years of sneaking around and your wife’s still in the dark? Come on, spill the secret.]

[There’s no real trick,] he replied. [Just make sure you look like you’re completely worn out from taking care of the family every day. Exhausted, devoted, all-in. She’ll never suspect a thing.]

The screen which my husband forgot to shut down, kept lighting up with messages from a group chat called Sneaky Affairs Club.

[Aside from Zacky, I think the department head guy got the next longest record without getting caught.]

I stared at the screen, a bitter smirk tugging at my lips.

Zack’s strategy? Honestly, it was pretty clever. But what he didn’t know… was that he wasn’t the only one in this house faking it.

***

“Honey, here’s my whole paycheck for the month,” Zack said, handing me the envelope. “Didn’t you say you had your eye on that designer bag last week? And our son’s growing fast—if you want something, get it.”

He tugged at his jacket, looking at me with that familiar look of love and pride. Like he lived to take care of us.

“You’re not keeping anything for yourself?” I asked, glancing at his worn-out suit, the fabric faded from too many washes.

“What do I need money for?” he chuckled. “I’m a man—my job is to work hard out there so you and our son can enjoy life.”

On his face, I saw it again—this picture of the perfect, selfless husband. Too bad… he didn’t realize he wasn’t the only one playing a drama role in this family.

"Working late again tonight, huh? Wish I could do more! My wife works way too hard."

As Zack headed out the door, briefcase in hand, anyone watching would say the same thing: What a dedicated husband. A real family man.

Who would’ve guessed that this so-called good guy was out there in some sleazy group chat, casually dropping cheating tips like he was writing a how-to guide?

[Women? They’re not much different than any others,] someone joked in the chat. [Once they have kids, that’s it. That’s the weak spot.]

[As long as you keep the kid on your side, she’ll be too distracted to even look your way.]

[All you have to do is play the role—make it look like you’re giving your whole life to the family. She won’t suspect a thing.]

[And don’t forget—every credit card needs its cover story.]

The chat lit up with reactions:

[Zacky, man, you’re the GOAT. Years of cheating and still clean.]

[Didn’t he get married, like, ten years ago? Everyone else in this group’s come and gone, but Zacky and the department head? Still standing.]

I stared at the screen, frozen.

His LetsTalk second account was still open. The messages kept coming. Until suddenly, the window blinked and force-closed.

I just stood there. Like the punchline of some cruel joke I hadn’t realized I was part of.

My perfect husband… Had been cheating on me all along.

I heard the lock clicked—he was home. Sooner than I expected.

I walked out of the kitchen like nothing had happened. Zack's eyes flicked to his laptop—now dark—and I saw his shoulders relaxed a bit.

"Something wrong?" I asked with a smile, even as my heart twisted in a dozen different directions.

"Nah, nothing. Just… left my phone and laptop at home." He glanced at me, carefully scanning. "I was worried you wouldn’t be able to reach me. Did anyone message me, by the way?"

His tone was casual, but the look in his eyes… that was fear. Not for me. For his "work."

"It’s this big deal I’m working on. You know, the one I mentioned? Once I close it, I can finally get you that bracelet you’ve been eyeing."

Ah, there it was. I knew exactly what he wanted to hear. "Your screen stayed off the whole time. Didn’t see or hear a thing."

I watched the tension drop from his face like someone had just given him CPR. He leaned in and kissed me on the forehead.

"Our anniversary’s coming up. Let’s send the kid to your mom’s for the night—just the two of us, something special." He then turned around to leave.

"Babe—wait."

My voice stopped him in his tracks. A faint, knowing smirk crept onto my lips.

"Funny thing… I could’ve sworn you left the house this morning in a different outfit."