Returning early from a business trip, I expected a happy reunion with my wife and daughter. Instead, I heard my 10-year-old talk about ghosts and found a man hiding in our closet. I thought my wife was unfaithful, but the truth was far more unexpected, exposing a family secret that left us all shaken.
I’m Duncan, and my wife, Emmie, and I have shared 15 years of love and family. Our daughter, Leila, 10, brings joy with her endless curiosity. My job means regular travel, but Emmie keeps our home running smoothly. “Your work matters,” she’d say, packing my bag with care. Before my latest trip—a week-long business meeting—she arranged for her mom, Marie, to stay and help with Leila. “Mom’s coming over,” Emmie said, making dinner. “We’ll manage fine.” I trusted her to hold everything together.
The trip ended early, so I stopped for Leila and Emmie’s favorite bakery treats and surprised Leila at home. “Dad!” she squealed, hugging me. Over ice cream, she said something odd. “I saw a ghost by the stairs last night,” she said, staring at her cone. I thought it was her grandparents, but she said, “Grandpa wasn’t here, just Grandma. He stayed with their cat.” Not wanting to worry her, I said, “Tell me if you see anything strange.” She nodded, and we headed home, where Emmie was cooking with Leila. I assumed Marie was napping.
I went to unpack, knowing Emmie disliked suitcase clutter. Opening our closet, my heart stopped. An older man stood there, buttoning his shirt among our clothes. “Emmie!” I shouted, my mind racing to betrayal. She and Leila ran in. “What’s happening?” Emmie asked. “Who’s this man?” I demanded. She looked inside and gasped, “Who are you?” Her shock showed she was as surprised as I was. Leila hid behind her, saying, “That’s the ghost!”
“Call the police!” Emmie urged, but Marie walked in with a glass of water. “What’s going on?” she asked, then saw the man. “Tony? Why are you here?” Emmie stared. “You know him, Mom?” Marie looked uneasy. “I’ve been seeing Tony for a while,” she admitted. I sent Leila to watch TV, protecting her from this. “You’re cheating on Dad?” Emmie asked, sitting on the bed. Marie nodded. “Your dad and I have problems. He doesn’t know, and I need some happiness.”
Emmie walked out, upset. Marie turned to me. “Duncan, please, keep this secret.” I shook my head. “That’s Emmie’s decision.” Marie and Tony left soon after. Later, Emmie said, “I can’t believe she brought him here, with Leila in the house.” I confessed, “I thought he was with you.” She sighed. “I get it—a strange man in our closet is a shock.” Tony had hidden when Emmie arrived, then stayed in the closet when we got home, while Marie, thinking he was gone, rested.
“It’s a mess,” Emmie said. “I don’t know if I can lie to my dad, but I don’t want to hurt my mom.” I told her to be truthful, concerned for Leila’s safety. That night, I wondered what might’ve happened if I hadn’t come early. Would Leila have been scared again? I’ll support Emmie, but this secret has left us all uneasy.
