Faye stood in front of the mirror, running a hand over her swollen belly. The second pregnancy was taking its toll; she felt more exhausted than ever and found comfort in sneaking away to indulge her junk food cravings. Her best friend Lauren, however, wouldn’t let her wallow alone in her emotional whirlwind. Lauren was always there, dragging Faye out for walks, setting up movie nights, and suggesting new activities to keep her mind engaged. Little did she know that someone close to her was living a double life.

One afternoon, Lauren suggested they attend a pottery class. “It’ll be fun,” she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “We can make some cute things for the baby shower!” Reluctantly, Faye agreed, if only because Lauren’s enthusiasm was infectious. They arranged for Faye’s husband, Shaun, to take care of their daughter, Lacey, while they went to the class.

A Familiar Welcome For Lauren and Faye – The Discovery of a Double Life

As they arrived at the pottery studio, the earthy smell of clay and the soft hum of chatter welcomed them. They took their places among a group of women, all at different stages of pregnancy. The instructor guided them through the basics, and soon, they were all lost in the therapeutic rhythm of shaping clay.

As the class progressed, the women began to share their birth stories, creating a comforting tapestry of shared experiences. One story, however, sent chills down Faye’s spine. A woman began recounting how she had given birth to her son on the 4th of July, the same day Faye had given birth to Lacey. The coincidence was eerie. The woman went on to explain that her husband had missed their son’s birth because his sister-in-law, Faye, was giving birth at the same time.

Lauren and Faye exchanged a startled glance. Could it be?

The woman continued, saying that her husband, also named Shaun, had missed their son’s first birthday to attend his niece’s—Lacey’s—birthday party. Faye’s heart pounded. She had to know if this woman was talking about her Shaun. Was her husband leading a double life?

With trembling hands, Faye pulled out her phone and showed the woman a photo of Shaun. “Is this your husband?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The woman looked at the photo and gasped. “Yes, that’s him,” she said, her voice cracking. “That’s the father of my son.”

Faye’s world shattered in an instant. The room seemed to spin, and the sounds around her faded to a dull hum. Lauren grabbed her arm, grounding her in reality. The other women in the class exchanged sympathetic glances, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Excusing themselves, Faye and Lauren hurried out to the car

The drive home was silent, each lost in their thoughts. Once home, Faye couldn’t bring herself to confront Shaun immediately. She needed time to process, to understand the full extent of his betrayal. A day passed, filled with silent tears and whispered conversations with Lauren. Finally, Faye gathered the courage to face Shaun. She found him in the living room, his eyes widening as he saw the determination in her face.

“Shaun,” she began, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her, “we need to talk.” He looked away, guilt etched across his face. Slowly, he admitted to fathering a child with another woman, the truth spilling out like a wound. Faye’s heart ached, but she knew she couldn’t let this fester, especially with her due date looming in just five weeks. Her husband was living a double life.

Moving on From a Double Life

“I need to know how we move forward from this,” she said, her voice firm. “For the sake of our children, I need to figure out what to do.” Shaun nodded, his expression one of deep regret, but Faye knew the trust was shattered beyond repair. She spent the next few days researching divorce lawyers, preparing herself for the battle ahead. It would be a tough path, but she was determined to heal and to create a stable, loving environment for Lacey and the baby.

Faye knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but with Lauren by her side and her children as her anchor, she was ready to face whatever came next. The clay creations they had made at the pottery class, meant to be gifts for a joyous occasion, now stood as silent witnesses to the beginning of a new chapter in Faye’s life.