When Lisa’s husband, Tom, started pressuring her to take a second job, she couldn’t understand why. She was already the higher earner, and their finances were stable. But when Tom kept pushing, Lisa decided to get a job that would expose the truth he was hiding — and in the end, she uncovered a secret that shattered their marriage.
Pressure at Home
In our marriage, I’ve always been the breadwinner. I work from home, long hours at my computer, and while Tom runs his mechanic business, I’m the one who brings in more money. It was never an issue — until recently.
Suddenly, Tom began hounding me about taking on a second job.
“You don’t even leave the house to work, Lisa, so you can’t possibly be as tired as I am,” he said one evening, cutting his steak.
“But you’re a mechanic, Tom,” I argued. “You have a full team of guys, and you take three days off a week because you can. Why should I work more when we’re not struggling?”
He shrugged. “Let’s just table this conversation.”
But he didn’t drop it.
A Suspicious Demand
At first, I thought maybe Tom was struggling financially. But that didn’t make sense — his shop was thriving. Cars came in every day, and he kept hiring new staff.
When I confided in my mother over pasta one night, she frowned.
“Lisa, if money isn’t the problem, then what is? Why would he want you to burn yourself out with another job?”
I didn’t have an answer.
The breaking point came when we discussed selling my car for a newer one.
“I told you, Lisa,” Tom said firmly, “you need to get that second job.”
My stomach dropped. Something was off.
My Plan
If Tom wanted me to get another job, fine — I would. But I wasn’t about to let him control me. Instead, I’d teach him a lesson.
I applied for a night-shift job at the bowling alley — the very one Tom and his friends went to every week. I knew the place. It was dark, dingy, and notorious for its waitresses in skimpy dresses. My friend Jill once joked, “Tom and Marcus don’t go for bowling, Lisa. They go for the waitresses.”
Perfect. If Tom wanted me to work, he’d have to see the cost of his request.
The First Shift
On my first evening, I slipped into the short, tight uniform and manned the drinks counter. Teenagers laughed and played, ordering sodas and fried snacks.
Then Tom walked in. Alone.
The moment he saw me, his jaw tightened, eyes darkening with anger.
“What the hell are you doing, Lisa?” he hissed, storming over.
“I’m working, Tom,” I said sweetly. “You wanted me to get a second job, remember?”
“This isn’t what I meant!” he snapped.
“Well, the tips are fantastic,” I shot back, smiling at the rowdy men cheering at my stall.
Tom’s fists clenched, but he returned to his lane, glaring at me every few minutes.
The Truth Comes Out
Halfway through my shift, my manager, Ursula, leaned close.
“Is that guy bothering you?” she asked, nodding toward Tom.
“What do you mean?” I asked cautiously.
Ursula sighed. “That man has seduced nearly every waitress here. One of the girls just had his baby two weeks ago. She did a paternity test. He’s on the hook for child support now.”
Her words made my world stop.
That’s why Tom wanted me to get a second job. He needed me to unknowingly help cover the cost of his betrayal.
The Showdown
I marched straight over to him, rage burning through me.
“You’re a disgusting human being!” I shouted, my palm cracking across his cheek.
The entire alley fell silent.
“What the hell, Lisa?” he stammered.
“You’ve been with these waitresses? One of them had your baby?!” My voice broke as tears blurred my vision.
His face drained of color. “I can explain—”
“I don’t want an explanation!” I screamed. “You’re going to pack your things tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll file for divorce.”
And I walked out, leaving him in the middle of the bowling alley he had used as his playground of lies.
Reflection
I thought Tom was just insecure about money. I thought maybe he was jealous of my job, or wanted to feel more in control. But the truth was far uglier.
He didn’t just betray me — he tried to manipulate me into paying for the consequences of his infidelity.
I may have lost a husband that night, but I kept my dignity. And that’s worth more than any marriage built on lies.