I never thought a random seat assignment could change my life forever. But there I was, sitting next to my husband’s ex-wife on a flight—and by the time we landed, my marriage was over.
It started as an ordinary trip home after visiting my mom. I settled into my seat, ready to relax with a drink and a book. Then a woman sat beside me. We exchanged polite smiles, but when I caught her name on the boarding pass—Clara—my stomach dropped. I recognized her from old wedding photos Oscar had shown me years ago.
She turned to me with a knowing smile. “Grace, right? Oscar’s wife?” I froze. How did she know me?
“I saw you on his social media,” she said. “He never posted me like that.” Her tone was friendly, but something felt off.
At first, we made small talk. She mentioned a bridal shower she’d attended, and I shared that I’d been visiting my sick mother. Then, out of nowhere, she said, “Did Oscar tell you our dream house is now yours?”
My breath caught. The home I thought was ours—every detail, every piece of furniture—had been chosen by her.
She kept going. “He still sends me flowers every year. Tulips, my favorite. Even on the day our divorce was finalized.” My hands trembled. Oscar, who ‘forgot’ our anniversary, never missed hers.
The final blow? “He calls me when you two fight,” she admitted. “Like last week, when you left for your mom’s.”
I sat in stunned silence until landing. As we stood to leave, Clara whispered, “I’m sorry.”
In the airport café, I texted Oscar: It’s over. Talk to Clara.
Some secrets aren’t worth keeping.
