Sponsoring a Student, Getting a Mistress

Two weeks ago, my husband, Henry Gibbons, packed his belongings and traveled to the mountains to deliver supplies to the woman he was sponsoring, Felicity Lambert.

"You have a weak constitution, and the roads are dangerous. You should just stay home."

I believed him. I even gave him the 20,000 dollars that I had saved up for a year, so he could buy more supplies for Felicity, who was also his goddaughter.

I had no idea that I was essentially paying for their condoms.

My hands were shaking when I video-called Henry.

The call rang for a long time before he finally picked up, his voice echoing from the pitch-black screen.

"Hello, honey? Did you need something?" Henry asked, sounding out of breath. "I just made it to the mountain. I'm so tired."

"Where are you?"

"In the valley! The signal is terrible here. I had to climb up a tree to take your call. A snowstorm has blocked the roads. I definitely won't be able to make it back till after the New Year. Be sure to buy yourself something nice to eat, okay?"

"Is that so?"

I had seen Felicity's latest update. Her location was the Milaria Hotel, which was in the heart of the city.

Upbeat music was playing in the background, setting the mood for the comic convention that she was at.

Although Henry had covered the receiver, I could still hear the same upbeat music coming from the other end of the line.

"I'll talk to you later, honey. My phone's about to run out of battery."

The screen went dark before I could get a word in, the busy tone echoing in my ears.

I collapsed onto the floor and scrolled through my banking app, checking the "donations" that Henry had made in the last two years.

"March, 2021: 50,000 dollars. Scholarship funds."

Felicity had posted a new update that day. "I finally got a nose job! It hurts a lot, but I'm so happy. Thank you for supporting my decision, Henry!"

"February 14, 2022: 13,140 dollars. Daily necessities."

Felicity had shown off a pair of Jimmy Choo high heels that day. "A Valentine's Day surprise. I love you."

"September 2023: 80,000 dollars. School renovations."

Felicity's location had been in Seafoam Bay that day. She had attached photos of a room with a sea view, and a bed that was covered in roses.

Were these the so-called donations that Henry had mentioned? Using the money from our shared marital account to pay for his mistress's expenses?

My fingers felt numb as I continued scrolling through Felicity's social media account.

Three years ago, she had uploaded a post when Henry first brought it up to me that he wanted to sponsor a student.

"I got to know a stupid, old man. He's bald, and his breath stinks, but he gives me a lot of money. I only have to praise him a little, and he'll buy me everything that I want. I feel such a sense of achievement for training an old dog like him."

She had also attached a photo to her post, showing a man's hand holding a stack of bills.

Wrapped around the man's wrist was the watch that I had given to Henry for our 20th wedding anniversary.

I walked over to the window.

Henry had uploaded a new photo to his social media account, showing the scenery of the snowy mountains.

"It's freezing and tiring, but everything feels worth it when I think about how I can make the students smile. Happy New Year, honey. Don't miss me too much."

There was a flood of comments under his post from our friends and family.

"You're such a Good Samaritan, Henry!"

"These are the positive vibes that our society needs right now!"

"Lucy is so lucky. She married a man with such a big and loving heart."

My expression darkened as I scanned through the comments. I quietly picked up a pair of scissors and pulled out a suit from the closet.

Henry had prepared the suit in anticipation of accepting a philanthropist award.

The scissors' blades easily sliced through the fabric of the suit.