On the most romantic day of the year, Yvonne discovered the awful truth about her husband…
Gazing in the shop windows, I wondered whether it would be something sparkly or perhaps a romantic dinner.
‘I can’t wait,’ I smiled, heading to pick a thoughtful card.
It was November 2012, days away from my second wedding anniversary. Thinking about my husband Moe, 31, still made me feel, like a giddy teenager.
We had two sons, Nazeem four, and ILias just four months. We wanted a big family but our marriage was just as important.
We’d known each other since we were 14 years old – got together later in 2002.
Moe was a romantic. For our first wedding anniversary he’d splashed out on roses and chocolates before a swanky dinner.
That night, after my job at the local Sheriff’s office, I tried to tease Moe into telling me his plans.
Lately, he’d been a bit distant and I’d been coping with a new born so I was looking forward to spending some time together.
‘It’s just another day,’ he mumbled, glued to the TV. ‘We can’t afford to buy presents.’
His words stung and I went to bed hoping he was bluffing.
Yes money was tight – but surely he could stretch to something?
On our wedding anniversary, I cooked lobster at home.
‘Delicious,’ he said, munching away and then headed to bed.
I got nothing.
It was so out of character that I made excuses for him.
‘He’s working hard,’ I told myself. ‘It’s extra pressure with two babies.’
But then he stopped calling me on his lunch break like he’d always done – and night after night he worked late as a time-share salesman.
I knew my Moe. There was only one explanation.
‘He’s having an affair,’ I sobbed.
I really didn’t want to believe it was true so I didn’t confront him and turned detective.
First, I checked Moe’s phone.
Heart thumping, I saw he’d regularly been phoning a work colleague called Clara*.
I felt utterly betrayed.
Still, I wanted more proof – and I wanted to know what Clara had that I didn’t.
One day, I turned up at Moe’s office with some lunch.
‘Surprise,’ I smiled, as Moe shifted uncomfortably.
He awkwardly introduced me to his colleagues around me.
‘This is Clara,’ he said, casually.
I forced a smile. She had long jet black hair and a curvaceous figure. It took all my strength to resist yelling.
I kissed Moe on the cheek.
‘See you later,’ I said, fighting my tears.
I raced downstairs and cried on the street.
What had I done to deserve this? I’d been swept up with the new baby – had I neglected us?
For the next few days, I pretended nothing was wrong. I didn’t know what to do.
In January 2013, my mobile rang. It was a woman from Moe’s work.
‘I thought you should know,’ she said, quickly. ‘Moe’s been cheating with someone here.’
My heart sank. I felt so humiliated that everyone knew about Clara…
‘She’s called Rachel*,’ the woman added. ‘She’s a busty red head.’
Her words slammed into me like bullets.
‘T-thank you,’ I stammered, putting the phone down.
I’d thought it couldn’t get worse but now I knew that Moe had two mistresses. I was broken.
‘It’s just rumours,’ I told myself, unable to face the truth.
So using his code, I hacked into his voice mail.
There was a message from Clara.
‘I can’t wait to get my hands on you tonight,’ she purred.
I almost threw up. All night I called Moe but his phone was off.
‘It’s true,’ I wailed. I had my proof.
With Valentine’s Day just days away, I wanted to know how Moe would juggle all three of us.
First I found out that Rachel had a boyfriend and I paid him a visit.
‘Rachel’s sleeping with my husband,’ I blurted. ‘I thought you should know.’
The fuse was lit, and I waited for the fireworks.
Minutes after Moe arrived home from work on Valentine’s Day, I could see from his face that Rachel had told him about my visit.
‘The game’s up,’ I snapped.
For weeks, I cried all my tears and now I just felt rage.
Moe was devastated.
‘I’m so sorry,’ he wept. ‘They meant nothing. I love you.’
I couldn’t even look at him.
Like a lioness, protecting my children, I visited Clara and Rachel, and warned them to stay away from my husband.
Of course, I wanted to throw Moe out. I never wanted him to see him again. But life isn’t that simple.
I had two children to think about – and despite everything, I loved him still. I couldn’t throw it all away.
‘Can you ever forgive me?’ he begged. ‘I’ll spend the rest of my life making this up to you.’’
He was full of remorse and totally ashamed.
Slowly, we tried again.
It took a long time to build up the trust but Moe was devoted.
He really listened when I told him how much he’d hurt me. He explained how much having the two children had panicked him – but he was ready to be a dad and a husband.
The following Valentine’s Day he surprised me with a holiday to the Bahamas where we conceived our daughter, Yasin, now three.
Now, every Valentine’s Day, Moe treats me with something extra special, like diamond earrings and designer bags.
This year, with three children and a tight budget, I’ve asked for some perfume.
‘I know you’re sorry,’ I’ve insisted.
Moe will never cheat again and I trust him more than ever.
It took a lot to rebuild our marriage and he knows it would be over if it ever happened again. He wouldn’t risk that.
Something things are just worth fighting for.
Moe says: ‘The affairs were going on for about eight months. I felt terrible when Yvonne found out. I deeply regret what happened and I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her. I was in lust with them – I’m most definitely in love with her.’
