He became instantly defensive.
“Of course I did.
She’s doing a great job. Mom loves her.”
“Actually, I’m not sure she does.
And Lena doesn’t seem to know basic caregiving skills.”
“You’re overreacting,” he snapped. “Not everyone has to do things your way, Cassie.”
I was taken aback by his tone.
This wasn’t the Ben I knew.
One evening, Sharon pulled me aside while Ben was in the shower.
Her fingers clutched my wrist with surprising strength. “Cassie,” she said softly, “would you mind setting up one of those little camera things?
I don’t feel safe sometimes when I’m alone.
I’m afraid I might faint, and nobody would know.”
My heart sank. “Has something happened, Sharon?”
She glanced toward the hallway.
“Uh… no… I just want you to help and watch over me through those cameras.
I asked you because I know Ben isn’t good with tech.”
The way she emphasized “watch over me” made my skin prickle.
“Of course,” I promised.
The next day, I installed three discreet nanny cams. One in the hallway, one in the living room, and one near Sharon’s room. I didn’t tell Ben.
Sharon had asked me in confidence, and something told me he wouldn’t approve.
A few days later, during my lunch break at work, I began reviewing the footage.
What I saw made my stomach turn.
Lena wasn’t helping Sharon much at all. The cameras showed her spending most of her time on her phone or watching TV.
She’d rush through Sharon’s exercises, forget her medication, and once, she even yelled at her for spilling tea.
But what shattered my heart was seeing Ben. He would “drop by” during the day when I was at work.
They would sit close together on the couch, laugh, and share intimate touches.
I was devastated but not entirely surprised.
Some part of me had known something was wrong. I kept watching, hoping for an innocent explanation, but finding only more betrayal.
Then came the conversation that turned my grief into rage. Ben and Lena were sitting on the patio, thinking they were out of earshot.
“Soon the beach house will be yours, baby,” Ben said.
“I’ll talk Mom into how much you’ve helped her and how much you deserve to be praised.”
Lena giggled.
“And your wife? What about her?”
Ben shrugged.
“Cassie’s clueless.
Always has been.”
I didn’t confront Ben immediately. Instead, I took the footage to Sharon.
We sat together in her room, watching the evidence of her son’s betrayal.
“I suspected something,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
“But not this… not planning to take my property.”
Together, we devised a plan.
Sharon decided to host her birthday celebration at the beach house Ben had promised to Lena. She invited everyone, including Lena, expressing how much she appreciated her and saying that Lena had almost become part of the family. When everyone arrived, Sharon stood up to make a toast.
“Dear Lena,” she said, “I want to thank you for taking care of me.
As a sign of my gratitude, this beach house is yours.”
Lena’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and Ben smiled proudly.
Then Sharon’s tone changed.
“Lena, that’s what you dreamt of hearing after having an affair with my son, isn’t it?”
Gasps filled the room. At that point, I stepped forward and displayed screenshots from the hidden cameras.
There were images of Ben and Lena in compromising situations.
I even played their conversation about the beach house for everyone to see. Ben was speechless.
Lena turned pale, then fled the room in tears.
“Mom, Cassie, I can explain,” Ben stammered.
“Save it,” I said. “I’ve already called a lawyer.”
The fallout was swift.
Ben moved out that night. I filed for divorce.
Lena was fired, and Sharon updated her will, ensuring that neither Ben nor Lena would benefit from her estate.
Sharon and I have grown closer through this ordeal.
We’ve supported each other, finding strength in our unexpected bond. “You know what I’ve learned?” Sharon told me recently as we sat on the beach house porch.
“Trust your instincts.
When something feels wrong, it usually is. But also, surround yourself with people brave enough to face the truth with you.”
I nodded, watching the sunset.
Sometimes the family you choose becomes stronger than the family you’re given.
And sometimes, the most painful betrayals lead you to your truest allies.
