I Hired a Governess, and Very Soon the Neighbors Started Gossiping Behind My Back — Story of the Day
I believed that employing a governess would resolve our issues, but the rumors started to circulate. The word “CHEATER” finally showed up on our garage. How far would I go to defend my family and get the truth?
I always believed that I had everything figured out. Home, work, and the kids all functioned flawlessly. However, my confidence faltered when my youngest child, Lily, began to bring home subpar marks.
In addition, the significant project that Oliver and I had been working on for the previous six months was almost finished. I started to struggle to keep up with everything at home as late hours at the office became the norm.
I was obviously in need of assistance.
My MIL, Martha, jumped right in with her “brilliant” plan.
“You’re obviously overwhelmed, Susan,” she continued, her voice brimming with pretended worry. “You know, I could move in. Assist with homework, take over the cooking, and maintain order in the house. To be honest, everyone would feel relieved.
“Martha, you are so kind. But I’ve got it under control.”
Her disappointed sigh could’ve powered a wind turbine, but I stood my ground. There was no way I’d let her convert my household into her personal empire.
Instead, I posted an ad for a governess. Jackie, who was nearly glowing, entered my life a week later. Her presence gave you the impression that you had just found the solution to every issue you had.
By the time the interview ended, she was already discussing math and her favorite novels while baking pies with Lily and Tom Jr.
“Mom, Jackie is incredible!” With her face covered in flour, Lily smiled.
“Is she able to stay forever?” Tom Jr. added, putting a piece of uncooked dough in his mouth.
“She’s definitely hired, but forever might be a stretch.”
I was able to breathe for the first time in months.
Jackie was in charge of the mayhem in the house, so I turned my attention to my work. We were finally getting close to finishing our presentation for a few possible investors. Time was of the essence.
“How are things going for you?” During a late-night Zoom call, Oliver inquired.
I said, looking through my notes, “Solid.” “But to do this, I’m going to need every ounce of concentration.”
Oliver chuckled. “Well, you now possess a secret weapon. It sounds like Jackie works miracles.
I sipped lukewarm coffee while leaning back in my chair.
She is, in fact. It’s similar to having an Excel-savvy Mary Poppins.
Jackie’s presence allowed me to work late without feeling guilty. However, a thought lingered in the back of my mind as I shut down my laptop later that evening.
All of this seems a bit too ideal, doesn’t it?
I dismissed it. What could possible go wrong, after all?
Jackie’s first week on the job seemed like a dream. Lily’s grades miraculously improved, the kids loved her, and Tom finally had someone to help him sort through his disorganized notes for his side project.
“Mom, guess what?” Lily exclaimed one evening as I went through the door. “Jackie helped me with my math, and I got an A on my test!”
“That’s amazing, sweetie!” I kissed her forehead.
Tom Jr. chimed in, grinning. “And she made homemade pizza! It was very good.”
Jackie appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a towel. “Only because I have excellent sous chefs.”
Everything appeared wonderful until it wasn’t.
A few days later, I started observing weird behavior from the neighbors. Mrs. Cunningham, who often stopped to chat about her garden, suddenly crossed the street when she spotted me coming.
The Smiths, who usually smiled and waved, avoided eye contact. I had the impression that I had entered a social twilight zone.
“Perhaps they’re simply occupied,” I whispered to myself.
The answer hit me like a brick that night. As I pulled into the driveway, my heart stopped.
Scrawled across the garage door in bold, red letters was one word:
“CHEATER.”
Below the graffiti, taped to the door, was a photo of me and Oliver. We were having coffee and laughing at a café. Although it was innocent and entirely professional, the timing, the angle, and our appearance… It shouted something quite different.
Tom was waiting inside, his face booming. The same picture was staring at me from the screen of his phone as he held it up.
“Want to elaborate?”
The ground underneath me began to disintegrate as I muttered, “It’s not what it looks like.” “I was with Oliver…”
“Working?” he interrupted. “Because it doesn’t look like work.”
I swallowed hard. That evening, I had to tell him about the planned business trip with Oliver, but the words caught in my mouth. It was silly, but I lied something vague about the single trip and retreated upstairs to pack.
My God… I have never lied before. I’ll take care of this after work. I must now concentrate on my work.
I ended up in Jackie’s room later that night, looking for a needle and thread to repair a rip in my jeans.
Her diary lay open on the desk, the words scrawled across the page stopping me cold:
“Everything is going according to plan. The hubby has already started suspecting her.”
Jackie entered before I could comprehend the reading.
With an almost mocking smile, she asked pleasantly, “Looking for something?” “I’ll fix those pants for you, so don’t worry.” However, she said in a sweetly toned voice, “I think your issues are more serious.”
Her smile was too flawless and intentional. Something was very, very wrong.
The presentation was a smashing success. I was completely focused on my work for two days, surrounded by encouraging coworkers and the satisfaction of finishing a task. However, the burden of what was waiting for me back home weighed heavily on me regardless of how many compliments I got.
My baggage were neatly arranged on the porch like unwanted visitors when I eventually got back.
“Tom?” I rattled the door doorknob and called.
locked. Moreover, my key doesn’t fit. Panic set in as I knocked harder.
When the door finally cracked open, Martha was standing there, her eyes gleaming triumphantly.
“This family no longer accepts you. You are a traitor and a liar.
“What are you discussing? Why have you come here? I insisted.
Jackie appeared out of nowhere, smugly standing behind Martha. They appeared to be two villains enjoying their alleged triumph, straight out of a lousy film.
“Jackie will be a perfect replacement for you here,” Martha added.
“Martha, did you time this correctly?”
“Oh, my dear!” Martha chuckled. You weren’t the ideal fit for Tom, as I’ve been telling him for years. And now, with a little assistance from Jackie and me, naturally, he has finally realized the truth.
“What are you discussing?”
She moved in closer.
It wasn’t difficult, you know. I just sowed the seeds. Your late-night gatherings? The small picture you took with Oliver during your innocent coffee break? I was like that, sweetheart. After that, Tom didn’t need much persuasion.
“What about the notes of love?” Jackie added her voice. “The Oliver ones that Tom discovered in your belongings? What a shame.
I gazed at them. Which notes? I never… You!
“Oh, sweetheart,” Martha cut in. “You don’t have to elaborate. Now it’s over. All that matters is that Tom believes what he has observed.
I was filled with anger and incredulity, but I didn’t want to give them the joy of witnessing my breakdown.
“Martha, you’ve gone to great lengths. However, avoid being overly at ease. This is not the end of it.
“I believe it is. Susan, you had better leave. This is the end of your time here.
I gripped my bag handle and muttered, “We’ll see about that.”
I vowed that it was far from the end as I turned and left.
I was heartbroken. Tom only sent me one chilly text after ignoring all of my calls:
“I’m not prepared to speak. I’m going to file for divorce.
The statements were deeply hurtful. My personal life was collapsing, but my career had just reached a significant turning point. I sank into sorrow as I glanced at the unopened coffee on the nightstand in a tiny, empty hotel room.
Then a single idea broke through the mists:
“My children are still with me. They love me and they depend on me.
I would never, ever allow Jackie and Martha to emotionally take them away from me.
I picked up Lily and Tom Jr. from school the following day and gave them ice cream as a surprise.
“What’s happening, Mom?” Tom Jr. licked his cone and inquired.
“Yes,” Lily said. “You’re behaving… differently.”
I inhaled. “I need your assistance. Jackie is not the person she poses as. She is conspiring to harm our family with Grandma.
Lily’s gaze expanded. “Jackie? Absolutely not! She is so kind!
“Consider it,” I urged softly. “Has she done something odd?”
Tom Jr. scowled. She was looking through your drawers when I saw her. It seemed strange, but I remained silent.
Lily let out a gasp. “I overheard her discussing Martha on the phone! Was Grandma there?
I gave a nod. “Will you assist me?”
Lily and Tom Jr. looked at each other. “We’re in,” declared Tom Jr.
“Excellent,” I smiled and remarked. “This is the strategy.”
I picked them up from their activities the following evening. I was prepared to correct the record and reclaim my family.
“Do you believe our strategy will succeed? Do you think Dad will accept our story? Tom Jr. inquired.
“He must,” I answered.
Tom was browsing through his phone in the kitchen when we got home. Sitting in the living room, Martha and Jackie talked as if they had nothing to conceal.
Could you all please come to the living room? We must speak,” I said.
The first to object was Martha. “This isn’t necessary, Susan. There is enough drama for us.
I cut in, “It’s important.”
Tom scowled. “What are you doing here, Susan? I believed that we
Tom Jr. stepped forward, holding the recorder tightly, and added, “Dad, you need to hear this.”
Jackie and Martha both tensed.
“What’s happening?” Tom inquired, now becoming truly perplexed.
Lily raised her voice. “We have discovered a plot against Mom.”
Tom scowled, but before he could answer, Tom Jr. hit the play button.
Martha’s voice boomed: “Jackie, you did well. Outstanding effort on Oliver’s notes!
Jackie then said, “I’m happy it’s working.” Hiring me was the ideal strategy.
There was silence in the room. Tom fixed his gaze on the recorder.
“That’s not the case.” Martha started, her tone faltering.
But Tom got up suddenly. “Enough. Pack your bags and head out, you two. Tonight.
Martha sputtered, but she was silent after one glance at Tom. When Jackie realized her time was up, her self-assured exterior fell apart.
Later that evening, when the home was once more peaceful, Tom took a seat next to me on the couch.
“I apologize, my love. I ought to have trusted you.
Despite my heart hurting from the experience, I said quietly, “It’s okay.” “We’ll overcome this.”
Jackie vanished from our lives after that, and Martha lost all control over our household. Even though that chapter was painful, I felt stronger when I looked at my husband and kids.
I would never forget the lesson I had learned: until I allow it, no one can break me.
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