The Day I Heard My Daughter Laugh at Me

Charlotte's POV

The moment I gave up wasn't when I found out my husband was cheating. It was when I heard my ten-year-old daughter laugh into the phone and say, "Mom's so clueless. She has no idea about Dad and Summer."

Ten years ago, I was a top biomedical researcher, making six figures. I gave it all up for his promotion and our newborn daughter. Ten years later, the perfect marriage I traded my career and youth for turned out to be nothing but an elaborate lie.

He called me his safe haven, then got in our bed with his mistress and discussed how to keep me in the dark.

This time, I'm not going to cry or make a scene. I'm going to quietly gather my evidence and call the lab director I've turned down seven times.

The night Sophia asks to tag along on Nathan's business trip, I'm in the kitchen making dinner.

Sophia runs in. "Mom, Dad says he's going to Seattle next week for a conference. I want to go with him!"

I freeze.

Sophia has been clingy since birth. Last year at summer camp, she called me in tears on day one, begging to come home. Now suddenly she wants to go off with her father?

"I could come along," I say carefully. "We could check out the Space Needle."

Sophia shakes her head. "No! I want it to be just Dad and me!"

Nathan comes out of his study and ruffles Sophia's hair. "Charlotte, let her come with me. This conference is pretty formal, not really family-friendly. Besides, don't you have that volunteer event to plan?"

I watch them together, and my doubts fade.

Maybe Nathan's just trying to make up for lost time with Sophia.

I nod.

After they leave, I go to Sophia's room to put away her laundry.

There's a theme park pass on her nightstand. VIP access to that fancy theme park downtown. Five hundred dollars a pass.

I didn't buy this.

In her backpack, there's a brand-new tablet. The receipt says it was bought last week.

Nathan didn't mention it either.

I tell myself maybe Nathan wanted to surprise her.

Then three days later, I call Nathan.

"How's the conference? Is Sophia doing okay?"

"Just wrapped up. Pretty exhausting. Sophia's in the next room watching cartoons. She's doing great."

"Get some rest then. Don't overdo it."

"Yeah, I will."

I put down my phone to fold the laundry on the balcony.

When I pick it back up, I realize the call hasn't ended. A young woman's voice comes through. "Finally got rid of her? Your wife's pretty gullible."

Nathan laughs. "She's too busy worrying about dinner menus to notice anything."

My breath catches.

"Drop Sophia at your friend's place tonight. We'll go to your apartment."

The woman's voice turns whiny. "When are you gonna divorce her? I'm tired of being the side piece."

"Divorce?" Nathan chuckles. "She gave up her career for me. She's got nothing now. Where would she even go? She won't leave."

Sophia's voice comes from the background. "Dad! Summer says she's taking me to Disneyland this weekend! She's way more fun than Mom!"

They all laugh.

I drop to my knees.

The phone slips from my hand and hits the floor.

I don't know how long I sit there.

The sky outside goes completely dark. The only sound in the living room is the hum of the refrigerator.

Nathan's cheating.

Sophia knows. She's even helping.

My daughter. The one I carried for nine months. The one I quit my job to raise. She chose her father's mistress over me because Summer's more fun.

Ten years ago, I stood over a microscope in my lab coat. My mentor put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Charlotte, you're the most talented researcher I've ever worked with."

Back then, I had everything ahead of me.

Nathan got down on one knee outside the lab. Tears in his eyes, he said, "I'll protect your dreams. Always."

The day Sophia was born, I hemorrhaged and they rushed me into surgery. When I woke up, Nathan was holding my hand, his eyes red and puffy. "You've sacrificed so much for us. I'll never let you down."

Seven years ago, the lab director called. He wanted me to come back and lead a new research team. I was tempted.

Nathan pulled me close. "The family needs you. I need you. None of that other stuff matters."

I said no.

Over the next few years, the director called six more times.

The last time was six months ago. I stammered through excuses on the phone.

Once again, I chose my family.

Now I understand. The perfect marriage I gave up everything for. My career. My youth. My social life. My financial independence. It's just a carefully constructed cage.

And I'm the fool who walked in and helped lock the door behind me.

I get up and walk to the study. I open the email account I haven't checked in forever.

The director's email sits in my inbox.

"Charlotte, we need you to come back and lead the new research team. Double your old salary, associate director position. This offer stands. No expiration date."