Every Time I Returned from a Work Trip My Dog Looked Different, Until Her Collar Revealed What My Husband Was Hiding — Story of the Day
Posted on June 21, 2025
Every time I came back from a work trip, my dog looked… different. New collar, new perfume, new attitude. My husband said he was bonding. I felt something smelled off.
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It was another Sunday morning. I pulled into our driveway after a long night shift at the café, eyes burning, brain buzzing with one thought.
Tea. Silence. Couch.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
The second I opened the door, Bella launched at me like a furry rocket. She was my sweet little white-and-caramel cocker spaniel.
“Not really. Just dropped her off since I was nearby. What? I’m bonding. She loves me now.”
It Was Just Grooming—Until It Wasn’t
He winked. I blinked. That, from the same man who last week said, ‘She stinks and keeps licking my slippers.’ I scooped Bella up and took another whiff. Nope, not my imagination. Chanel No.5.
She was pretty. Too pretty. Long hair, perfect skin, yoga pants — of course. And she smiled when she saw Jason. Not just friendly-smiled. Warmly. Like they had a routine.
Jason stepped inside. Bella’s camera caught him walking the long corridor, and the woman was following him.
I blinked. Zoomed in. Then Bella began to jump. Excited, full tail-wagging mode.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Who are you even jumping for like that, huh?” I muttered at the screen. “I’m your only best friend, you fluffy traitor.”
Why did she write that note on the collar? If she knew about me… why warn me? Why help me instead of confronting him herself?
None of it added up.
Something was off.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
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I went back home and waited. Unpacked my bag, made myself a coffee, and flipped through bills. Stared at the front door like it might explain things on its own.
Evening came. Jason didn’t. I sat at the kitchen table, tapping my nails against the cup. Maybe they’re spending the night together. Maybe it’s their anniversary.
Or maybe I’ve officially gone insane.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t wait any longer. It was either confront him or lose my mind right there, in my own house. I grabbed my keys and my anger.
“Let’s see if she smiles when I open the door instead.”
I followed the taxi’s route. I knew that neighborhood. A friend of mine used to live just a few blocks away. In 15 minutes, I was standing across from a house with glowing windows, knees trembling.
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Let her open it. Let her look me in the eye.
The Other Woman Had a Cookie—and a Child
Footsteps. The door creaked open. And there, standing barefoot with a half-eaten cookie in hand, was a girl.
Ten, maybe eleven. Brown eyes. A gap in her teeth when she smiled.
Then Bella charged past me and straight into the girl’s arms, licking her face, wagging like she hadn’t seen her in years. The girl hugged her tightly.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“I made her new bows! Do you like the lilac one or the rose gold more?”
I stood frozen. The world tilted a little. Then footsteps again. Jason appeared in the hallway, barefoot too, with a dish towel slung over his shoulder. He saw me and froze mid-step.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Ellie… is my daughter.”
“Oh, Jason! So now you live with two families?”
“Her mom and I — it was one night. Years ago. Before us. She never told me. Not until recently. She sent a letter. Said my daughter had been asking about me.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
But I was already moving. I stormed past him, toward the hallway, heart pounding, vision blurring. And then — footsteps.
The woman from the doorway appeared, holding Ellie’s jacket in one hand and a juice box in the other. Bella trotted happily behind her. Jason exhaled hard.
“This is Sasha. She’s Ellie’s nanny.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
And just like that, all the anger I’d been storing for days melted into something softer. Not forgiveness. Not yet. But understanding. Some families don’t come together the way you plan. But if there’s real love, you can still make it work.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: My MIL acted like my pregnancy belonged to her: she painted the nursery without asking, smoked stinky herbs to ‘ensure a boy,’ and bossed me around daily. But when I gave birth to a girl, her cruel reaction made me smile… Because I was ready. Read the full story here.
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