Helena never doubted her husband Chad—until the day she found a second phone hidden in his gym bag. The message on the screen sent her world into a tailspin: “So excited to see you again tonight. Love you!” After fourteen years of marriage, trust shattered in an instant. Her mind spiraled—late nights at work, subtle distance, new aftershave—it all suddenly seemed like signs she had missed. When Chad came home, she confronted him, heart pounding, hands shaking. She placed the phone on the table. “Unlock it,” she said. His hesitation nearly broke her,

but he finally did. The messages were affectionate, intimate—but the truth wasn’t what she expected. She’s my mother,” Chad said quietly. Years ago, Chad had been placed in foster care. He never really knew his mother, only fragments of memories. But three months ago, after a feel-good article about him rescuing a cat went viral, she recognized him and reached out. Chad didn’t tell Helena because he wasn’t sure it was real. He wanted to be certain before bringing her into their lives. The second phone?