My Manicurist Told Me About Her Lover, Only to Realize She Was Talking About My Husband

My husband surprised me with an appointment with my manicurist, but during our session, I discovered the woman was cheating with him! Angry, I tried to retaliate by getting revenge, but when the truth came out, I was left with egg on my face!

When I went in for my manicurist appointment that day, I had no idea that I was about to get more than what I bargained for. What I discovered had me seething as I imagined the worst about my loving husband. But before we get there, let me backtrack a bit to the day before…

A woman at a beauty parlor | Source: Midjourney

A woman at a beauty parlor | Source: Midjourney

It had been a long day of privately tutoring a mix of energetic six-year-olds learning their ABCs and a precocious eight-year-old trying to ace his fractions. By the time I got home, I was completely drained. Adam, my husband of seven years, greeted me with his signature boyish smile and a kiss on the forehead.

“How’s my favorite teacher?” he asked, handing me a cup of herbal tea.

“Tired,” I replied with a laugh, plopping onto the couch. “But your tea makes it better.”

A happy woman drinking tea | Source: Midjourney

A happy woman drinking tea | Source: Midjourney

Adam always had a way of making me feel like the most important person in the world. We were one of those couples people envied, with a solid partnership full of love and shared dreams.

We had just started planning for a family, and I’d been secretly pinning nursery ideas to my Pinterest board.

“I might have to work late tonight, and tomorrow I’ll be staying at work overnight, unfortunately,” Adam said, running a hand through his dark hair. “Big project at the office.”

A man running his hand through his hair | Source: Midjourney

A man running his hand through his hair | Source: Midjourney

I nodded, not thinking much of it. His job as a successful manager for a mid-sized marketing firm often demanded odd hours.

“Just don’t overwork yourself, okay?”

“I won’t,” he promised, kissing me again before adding, “To make it up to you, I booked an appointment for you tomorrow afternoon at Lily’s Luxe Nails.”

I got up and thanked him with a kiss before he gave me one on the cheek and disappeared into his home office.

A woman getting a kiss from her man | Source: Midjourney

A woman getting a kiss from her man | Source: Midjourney

The next day, I went and treated myself to the rare indulgence of a trip to Lily’s Luxe Nails. Lily, the owner, was one of my favorite people. She had a magnetic personality, full of dramatic flair and endless gossip!

Her stories always left me laughing or clutching my pearls.

As I settled into the chair, Lily approached with her usual wide grin.

“Honey, you’re glowing! Your hubby’s treating you well?”

A manicurist | Source: Midjourney

A manicurist | Source: Midjourney

“As always,” I said, holding out my hands for her to examine.

She laughed, taking out her tools.

“Well, at least he’s worth it. Some of us don’t get that lucky.”

Her comment caught my attention. Lily wasn’t one to complain about her personal life. In fact, she often bragged about her adventures in romance.

“Oh? Someone giving you trouble?” I asked.

A woman getting her nails done | Source: Midjourney

A woman getting her nails done | Source: Midjourney

She smirked, leaning in conspiratorially.

“No trouble at all. I’ve been seeing someone new, a real dreamboat! Smart, funny, successful! And let me tell you, he knows how to treat a lady!”

“Good for you! What’s it like?”

Lily’s eyes sparkled. “Our relationship is UNREAL! I’ve never felt ANYTHING like this before! Not even James compares to him!”

James is Lily’s husband. I’d met him before when he came to her workplace.

A happy man | Source: Midjourney

A happy man | Source: Midjourney

“I guess I am an old-fashioned girl, ’cause I could never cheat on my husband, and I’m pretty sure he feels the same way,” I responded.

“Girl, that’s YOUR loss! You wouldn’t believe how romantic he is. Last week, he showed up with flowers just because he ‘felt like it.’ You also haven’t SEEN who I’m talking about, don’t even get me started on his dimples!”

“Uh huh…,” I replied, still not convinced that cheating on Adam would be a good idea.

An unsure woman | Source: Midjourney

An unsure woman | Source: Midjourney

“He’s also a manager at some company. Busy as hell, but he always makes time for me. He’s planning to meet me tonight at that cute boutique hotel across the street while telling his wife he’s working late so we can meet up. I’m counting down the minutes!”

I froze, a strange chill creeping up my spine.

“That’s sweet,” I managed to say, my voice faltering.

Lily didn’t notice…

An unhappy woman | Source: Midjourney

An unhappy woman | Source: Midjourney

Dimples? My chest tightened. Adam has dimples. Adam is a manager. Adam was supposed to be working late tonight. I tried to shake off the uneasy feeling clawing at my chest. It had to be a coincidence…

“Well, do you have a picture of this ‘dream guy’? I’m curious,” I asked, hoping to quash my paranoia.

Lily grinned, pulling out her phone.

“Of course, darling! Look at this stud muffin!” she said, pulling out her phone.

My stomach dropped.

An upset woman looking at a phone | Source: Midjourney

An upset woman looking at a phone | Source: Midjourney

There he was, MY Adam, smiling in the photo with his arm casually draped around Lily. I stared at the picture, willing it to be fake. Maybe I was seeing things. Maybe it was a doppelgänger. But deep down, I knew the truth.

“Wow,” I said, my voice trembling as I lost it inside but kept it together for appearances. “He’s…definitely a catch.”

“Right?” Lily gushed, completely unaware of my turmoil as she placed her phone, still unlocked, on the table.

A phone on a manicurist's table | Source: Midjourney

A phone on a manicurist’s table | Source: Midjourney

I forced a laugh, but my mind was racing.

“Excuse me,” I said, standing abruptly. I grabbed her phone quickly when she wasn’t looking. “I need to use the restroom.”

Once inside, I splashed cold water on my face, trying to steady my breathing. Adam. My Adam. Cheating with Lily? I felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me. But as the shock subsided, another emotion took its place: fury.

I wasn’t going to let this slide. I started plotting, and my revenge was going to be served cold tonight at the hotel across the street.

An upset woman in the bathroom | Source: Midjourney

An upset woman in the bathroom | Source: Midjourney

I quickly saved Lily’s husband’s number on my phone, as he was a big part of my revenge.

After I finished my appointment with Lily, I called her husband and told him everything I knew about her affair with Adam. He was as shocked as I was and quickly on board with getting revenge that very night!

Before heading to the hotel together later that night, I insisted we stop at the hardware store. James trailed behind me as I loaded our cart with cans of unwashable paint.

A woman with paint cans | Source: Midjourney

A woman with paint cans | Source: Midjourney

“What’s this for?” he asked, still trying to make sense of my erratic behavior.

“I figured we could mark the cheaters with it. You’ll see,” I said curtly.

When we arrived at the hotel, James and I stood outside the hotel with our “props,” ready to make the “couple’s” meeting unforgettable.

“Are we seriously doing this?” James asked.

“Watch me,” I said with determination as I marched straight through the hotel’s doors, paint cans in hand!

An upset woman outside a hotel with paint cans | Source: Midjourney

An upset woman outside a hotel with paint cans | Source: Midjourney

When I flung open the doors, I expected to catch Adam and Lily red-handed. But instead, I found myself face-to-face with an entrance full of balloons, streamers, and a massive banner that read: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY LOVE!”

My jaw dropped. Standing in the middle of the room were Lily and Adam, grinning like a pair of mischievous kids. Behind them were my parents, my sister, and a handful of close friends!

“Surprise!” everyone yelled.

People at a surprise party | Source: Midjourney

People at a surprise party | Source: Midjourney

I stood frozen, the paint cans slipping from my hands. “What…is this?” I stammered.

Adam stepped forward, his dimples on full display.

“It’s your birthday party, sweetheart! We wanted to do something special for you seeing as you ALWAYS forget your birthday.”

“Wait,” I said, my brain struggling to catch up. “So…you’re not cheating?”

Adam laughed, pulling me into a hug.

“Of course not. Lily, James, and I have been planning this for weeks!”

A man at a party | Source: Midjourney

A man at a party | Source: Midjourney

James smiled, and that’s when I finally noticed that he’d joined the others. He stood embracing his wife as Lily chimed in, “You should’ve seen your face! Priceless!”

I burst into tears, overwhelmed with relief and embarrassment. “I thought…”

Adam cupped my face, wiping away my tears.

“I know, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone that far with the plan. I thought you’d pick up what was happening when I booked your manicurist appointment, but you have to admit, this was worth it.”

It was…

A happy man | Source: Midjourney

A happy man | Source: Midjourney

The party was a smashing success, filled with laughter, cake, and heartfelt toasts! By the time we left the hotel the next morning, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world, albeit a little foolish for my earlier assumptions.

As we approached Adam’s car in the parking lot, we saw “CHEATER!!!!” scrawled across the windshield in bright red lipstick.

I groaned, covering my face. “I am so, so sorry.”

An embarrassed woman | Source: Midjourney

An embarrassed woman | Source: Midjourney

Adam just laughed.

“It’s washable, right? Besides, it’s a good story to tell our kids one day!”

As we cleaned the car together, I couldn’t help but laugh too. If nothing else, this would be a birthday I’d never forget!

A couple outside by a car | Source: Midjourney

A couple outside by a car | Source: Midjourney

Sadly, Adam’s wife isn’t the only woman to suspect her husband of cheating. Click here to read about a wife who believed her husband was cheating with their son’s fiancee only to discover a much harder truth.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

My Husband Mocked My Cooking Skills with a Powerpoint Presentation

When my husband mocked my cooking with a PowerPoint presentation in front of our family, I was humiliated. But instead of getting angry, I planned my revenge.

I had been married to Ben for almost five years, and most of the time, we were happy. I loved cooking, and I thought I was pretty good at it.

A happy couple | Source: Pexels

A happy couple | Source: Pexels

I’d been the family chef for years, and anytime we hosted, I would spend hours preparing lasagna from scratch, perfectly marinated roasts or intricate salads with homemade dressings. It was my thing, and I took pride in it.

Ben, on the other hand, could barely manage instant noodles.

A woman cooking | Source: Pexels

A woman cooking | Source: Pexels

His attempts at cooking were rare, and they usually ended with takeout or, on one memorable occasion, a pot of burnt spaghetti because he forgot to add water. Despite his lack of skill, he had an unshakable confidence about everything, cooking included.

Last Saturday, we had a family gathering at my mom’s house. As usual, I was in charge of the main meal.

A person holding a cooking pot | Source: Pexels

A person holding a cooking pot | Source: Pexels

I spent the day marinating the chicken, layering the lasagna, and tossing a big, colorful salad. By the time everyone gathered around the table, they couldn’t wait to dig in, and the compliments started flowing right away.

Then, just as everyone was starting to eat, I noticed Ben giving me a strange smirk that I couldn’t quite read. I tried to brush it off, thinking maybe he was remembering some inside joke. But then he cleared his throat and said, “You know, I’ve actually been taking notes on your cooking.”

A smiling man at a family dinner | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man at a family dinner | Source: Midjourney

I laughed, thinking he was joking. “Oh yeah? Like what?”

He went on, “I made a little presentation.” I thought he was kidding, but no. He pulled out his phone, connected it to my mom’s TV, and opened up an actual PowerPoint presentation titled “Improving Our Home Dining Experience.” The table went silent, and I sat there, stunned.

A family dinner | Source: Freepik

A family dinner | Source: Freepik

“Alright, everyone,” he began, sounding for all the world like he was on stage. “Slide 1: Too Much Garlic.” He tapped the screen, and up came a photo of garlic bulbs with the note, “Strong flavors can overpower the palate.”

My cheeks burned as he carried on. “Ben, what is this?”

Garlic bulbs | Source: Pexels

Garlic bulbs | Source: Pexels

Ignoring me, he continued. “Slide 2: Pasta Too Al Dente. We all know pasta should be tender, not crunchy,” he said, glancing around as if he were waiting for everyone’s agreement.

My sister let out an awkward laugh, and my dad coughed into his napkin. I was mortified but still too shocked to respond.

A shocked woman | Source: Pexels

A shocked woman | Source: Pexels

Then he showed “Slide 3: Not Enough Salt in the Salad,” explaining to everyone at the table how “a good cook knows salt brings out flavors.”

Finally, he wrapped up with a photo of Gordon Ramsay facepalming, captioned, “What he’d think.” He sat back with a self-satisfied grin, glancing around for applause.

A smiling man | Source: Freepik

A smiling man | Source: Freepik

The room was quiet. My mom broke the silence with a forced chuckle. “Well, Ben, that’s… certainly creative,” she said, trying to smooth over the awkwardness.

I sat through the rest of the meal in silence, too humiliated to meet anyone’s eyes.

When we got home, I didn’t wait a moment before I turned to him. “Ben, what was that?” I asked.

A couple arguing | Source: Pexels

A couple arguing | Source: Pexels

“It was all in good fun, babe,” he replied with a shrug. “You take cooking seriously, so I thought you’d appreciate some feedback.”

“Feedback?” I shot back. “Ben, you humiliated me in front of my family! How could you possibly think that was appropriate?”

“Relax,” he said, brushing it off. “You’re overreacting. I was just trying to help.”

A man talking to his upset girlfriend | Source: Pexels

A man talking to his upset girlfriend | Source: Pexels

“Help?” I repeated, hardly believing it. “Ben, you can’t even toast bread without setting off the smoke alarm. Who are you to critique my cooking?”

“It was just a joke,” he said, rolling his eyes. “You’re being way too sensitive.”

I stared at him for a moment, feeling the last bit of my patience snap. “Fine. If you’re that much of a food critic, cook for yourself. I’m done.”

A couple with arms crossed | Source: Pexels

A couple with arms crossed | Source: Pexels

He laughed like he didn’t believe me. “Oh, come on, you’re not serious.”

“Oh, I’m dead serious, Ben,” I said, crossing my arms. And I meant every word.

After that humiliating dinner, I had no plans to let Ben off easy. The more I replayed the scene in my mind, the angrier I became. But instead of yelling or sulking, I decided on something better. If Ben thought PowerPoint was the way to go, well, I’d give him a presentation of my own.

A woman deep in thought | Source: Pexels

A woman deep in thought | Source: Pexels

Over the next week, I poured my energy into creating “Improving Our Financial Experience.” It was hard not to laugh as I worked; my slides grew more ironic with every detail I added. This would be my perfect little payback, delivered with the same over-the-top style he’d used.

Slide 1 was titled “If We Could Afford a Vacation.” It opened with a dreamy stock photo of a sunny beach, complete with palm trees and turquoise waves.

A sunny beach | Source: Pexels

A sunny beach | Source: Pexels

Underneath, I’d written, “If we had a little more financial flexibility, maybe we could be here instead of at home this summer!” A few bar graphs followed, showing how our current income made a tropical vacation “not feasible at this time.”

Slide 2 covered “Home Improvements: If Only We Could Budget for It.” A shiny, fully remodeled kitchen filled the slide, with sleek appliances and granite countertops.

A modern kitchen | Source: Pexels

A modern kitchen | Source: Pexels

Below, I added, “Imagine the potential if we had some extra funds!” Next, I displayed a cost analysis of his favorite weekly splurges (a bit of reality check disguised as humor) and labeled it, “Potential Savings: Cooking at Home.”

Slide 3 had “Fine Dining (If We Didn’t Eat Out So Often),” complete with mouthwatering photos of elegant dishes from a nearby Michelin-starred restaurant.

Gourmet dishes | Source: Pexels

Gourmet dishes | Source: Pexels

I’d even put together a line chart comparing our monthly dining expenses to what we’d need to save for a special night at a place like that. A little brutal, maybe, but I was having too much fun by this point to care.

Finally, I wrapped it up with “Goals for a Strong Financial Future.” For the closing slide, I added an aspirational quote from an entrepreneur about achieving one’s dreams.

A man in a sharp suit | Source: Pexels

A man in a sharp suit | Source: Pexels

Right below, I inserted a motivational poster of a man in a suit pointing to the words, “Hard Work Pays Off.” I figured it would hit just the right note of playful irony.

The timing couldn’t have been better. We had another family gathering coming up, and I knew exactly when to roll out my masterpiece.

A woman plotting something | Source: Freepik

A woman plotting something | Source: Freepik

On the day of the gathering, I kept a straight face through dinner, politely accepting compliments on my lasagna without bringing up the previous incident. Ben was all smiles, seeming to believe the PowerPoint incident had already been forgotten. After dinner, while everyone was relaxing in the living room, I stood up.

“Hey, everyone,” I said, clearing my throat with a grin, “I actually have a little presentation I’d like to share.”

A smiling woman at a family dinner | Source: Freepik

A smiling woman at a family dinner | Source: Freepik

Ben looked at me, surprised. “Oh? What’s this about?”

“Oh, just a few notes I’ve been working on.” I grabbed the remote and connected my laptop to the TV. The screen lit up with the title, “Improving Our Financial Experience.”

A few of my family members snickered, glancing at Ben. He looked uneasy, glancing around as if he’d just realized where this was going.

Smiling people in a family dinner | Source: Pexels

Smiling people in a family dinner | Source: Pexels

“Alright, Slide 1,” I said, clicking to a picture of the tropical beach.

Ben’s face went red as our relatives chuckled. My mom shot me a curious smile, realizing what I was doing.

“Slide 2: Home Improvements—If Only We Could Budget for It.” I clicked to the next slide, revealing the remodeled kitchen photo with its sleek appliances.

A woman talking at a family gathering | Source: Freepik

A woman talking at a family gathering | Source: Freepik

A few of my relatives laughed openly, and my dad nodded in agreement. Ben shifted in his seat, looking more uncomfortable by the second.

“Slide 3,” I continued, “Fine Dining, and How Cutting Back Could Help Us.” At this point, Ben looked like he wanted to disappear, his face flushed and eyes darting around the room.

Finally, I reached the last slide. I smiled and concluded, “With a little focus and effort, we can accomplish anything, don’t you think?”

A smiling confident woman | Source: Pexels

A smiling confident woman | Source: Pexels

There was a moment of silence before my mom burst into laughter, followed by everyone else. Ben chuckled awkwardly, trying to play along, though it was clear he wasn’t quite as amused as everyone else.

When we got home that night, Ben closed the door and let out a long sigh. “Alright, message received,” he said, hands raised. “I guess I deserved that.”

A tired man | Source: Pexels

A tired man | Source: Pexels

“More than deserved,” I replied, crossing my arms. “Maybe next time you’ll think twice before you try to ‘critique’ my cooking in front of everyone.”

He nodded, his expression softening. “You’re right. I was out of line. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I just… thought I was being funny.”

“Well, now you know how it feels,” I replied, though I softened my tone, relieved he seemed to understand.

A man comforting his woman | Source: Pexels

A man comforting his woman | Source: Pexels

Ben gave a small, sheepish smile. “So… does this mean you’ll cook again?”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help smiling. “Maybe,” I said, “but only if you promise to leave the ‘feedback’ out of it.”

A happy hugging couple | Source: Pexels

A happy hugging couple | Source: Pexels

“Deal,” he said, chuckling. “From now on, you’re the chef.”

And with that, our “PowerPoint wars” were officially over.

Liked this story? Consider checking out this one: Ethan criticizes Amanda’s cooking and calls her worthless in the kitchen, but she’s had enough. Determined to prove him wrong, she devises a secret plan. But how will this housewife turn the tables on her husband, who has been dismissive of her efforts all these years?

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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