[Music] looking back I often wonder how my life might have turned out if I hadn't accepted an invitation to that fateful business seminar in New York it was there amidst the clinking of glasses and polite laughter at a corporate mixer that I first caught a glimpse of Lisa grois she wasn't the center of attention yet her mere presence seemed to cast a magnetic pole over everyone in the room I was captivated the the thought of speaking to her seemed laughable she appeared so far out of my reach that it felt feudal to even try my
career at the time was on the rise I was a young software salesman with an impeccable track record earning respect among colleagues and competitors alike a chance conversation with a mutual acquaintance at that same event led to my introduction to Lisa though brief our exchange left me stunned her sharp wit And understated elegance were disarming and for the first time I allowed myself to entertain the idea that maybe just maybe I could be part of her world Lisa's background however was an entirely different story raised in opulence and groomed to take her place within her
family's perfume Empire she had lived a life that most people could only dream of her rebellious streak though had earned her a reputation for challenging the traditional expectations Of her family while her brothers seamlessly fell in line with their parents Vision Lisa's defyant Independence made her both a source of frustration and Fascination for those around her our courtship wasn't without its challenges Lisa's parents staunch in their belief that I wasn't good enough for her made their disdain abundantly clear every dinner every event every encounter with her family carried an undertone of judgment Lisa to her
credit Seemed unfazed by their disapproval brushing off their remarks with a confidence that left me in awe it was her unwavering choice to be with me that eventually gave me the courage to ignore their disdain the prenuptual agreement as contentious as seemed at the time became the Lynch pin that allowed our Union to move forward Lisa's insistence on a no children Clause surprised me but didn't deter my commitment to her I chocked it up to her upbringing her Family valued Legacy through wealth and Enterprise not necessarily through Offspring although I yearned to one day be
a father I set aside my dreams convincing myself that love would be enough for 3 years our marriage was everything I'd hop for we traveled the world attended glamorous events and lived a life of luxury that still felt surreal to me yet beneath the glittering surface cracks were forming Lisa's frequent absences for work began to take A toll on our connection while I chose to believe that her passion for her career was the culprit subtle signs began to emerged that something else was a miss it wasn't until I stumbled upon a photograph in a newspaper
gossip column that I realized just how much of our life together had been built on half truths and hidden secrets I stepped into the house after a grueling day at work only to be met with a fury I had long anticipated my wife of 12 Years Lisa Stood waiting her face a mask of Rage that broke into a storm of accusations as soon as the door shut behind me this confrontation though dreaded was something I knew couldn't be avoided forever admittedly Lisa had ample cause for her anger I had been unfaithful yet before condemning me
too quickly consider this Lisa's own betrayal came first lasting over 6 months before I began my own industry regressions while I had been aware of her Affair for years It was only now that she uncovered mine igniting The Firestorm that had been brewing beneath the surface of our relationship the moment I stepped into the house she screamed at me you pig from there things spiraled downhill looking back I think those were the kindest words she threw my way during her TI raade although I barely caught every third word it was crystal clear she had uncovered
my secret affair and she was livid even if I could have Squeezed in a response I wouldn't have known what to say to diffuse her Fury so I just stood there staring at the floor waiting for the storm to pass eventually her anger ebbed and she demanded what do you have to say for yourself should I just file for divorce in a quiet voice I replied well for starters I've known about your Affair for the past 9 years so yes maybe divorce is the right step what she gasped her face losing all color what are
you talking about calmly I opened my briefcase pulled out a set of photos and handed them to her evidence of her infidelity I had no idea how she'd react but what happened next caught me off guard Lisa who is wealthy enough to bury me in a mountain of legal trouble didn't explode as I expected instead she dropped the photos burst into tears and looked at me with such anguish that it left me speechless I don't want a divorce she sobbed I love you then she fled to our bedroom leaving Me utterly confused and even more
uncertain about our future Le is the most beautiful woman I've ever met even in my wildest dreams I never imagined I'd end up married to someone like her when we tied the knot I assumed she'd eventually grow tired of me and cast me aside within a couple of years one unusual aspect of our marriage was a prenuptual agreement her extremely wealthy family insisted upon I had no issue with most of its terms but one Clause nearly made me walk away Lisa demanded that we have no children despite my reservations I agreed I was deeply in
love with her ironically by the time this story unfolded I had four children life it seems had taken a turn I never expected did I mention my life feels like a complete wreck a bit of context might help my wife Lisa Gravois comes from an incredibly affluent family I'm David toddman by the way Lisa never took my last name her family's name is a Luxury brand synonymous with their world-renowned perfume company Gravois sense as a co-owner of the business it made perfect sense for her to keep her maiden name initially I wasn't thrilled but over
time I came to appreciate the separation it created since we don't share a last name many people don't even know we're married which affords me a level of anonymity when we got married I couldn't believe Lisa had chosen me she's breathtakingly beautiful with long Black hair piercing blue eyes and a model-like figure with just a touch more curves she even worked as a model in her teens I looked decent enough sandy-haired and fit but Lisa is in a completely different League we met at a party in the Hamptons hosted by my college roommate and his
wife my roommate was a successful Commodities Trader and his wife Beth had been close friends with Lisa since their days at Vasser when I was introduced to Lisa I Was floored by her beauty as was every other man in the room she exuded confidence and Allure leaving the single men and quite a few married ones en raptured but I knew she was out of my league so I didn't linger instead I mingled with other women at the party following a friend's advice stick to women in your league or you'll waste your time chasing someone who's
about to leave with someone else yet no matter where I went Lisa seemed to appear by my Side at first I thought it was coincidence by the fourth time it was obvious she was interested in me while I was flattered I also felt uneasy I assumed she was just looking for a fling and would discard me when the novelty wore off I wasn't keen on being someone's temporary play thing and yet here we are 12 years later with a marriage that feels like it's on the verge of collapse maybe this was her plan all Along
but I didn't let myself dwell on it after that party though Lisa began pursuing me relentlessly look I'm a decent guy but what could someone like Lisa grais possibly want with me I was just a software salesman not that I wasn't good at it in fact I excelled at my job and had worked my way up to a senior sales director position in Just 4 years earning a respectable $5,000 a month but that was Pocket Change compared to Lisa's income she brought in $40 million a year before bonuses so naturally I assumed she was toying
with me ironically my aloofness seemed to make her more determined she was relentless and after four weeks of persistence she finally convinced me to go out with her it took 6 months before we slept together and over a year before we tied the knot our wedding was a jaw-dropping display of extravagance 600 guests attended and I heard the whole Affair cost about $6 million un Surprisingly her family insisted on a prenuptual agreement Lisa was clearly uncomfortable broaching the subject but I had no objections I understood their reasoning besides I wasn't after her money I made
a decent living on my own still when I agreed to sign Lisa seemed Overjoyed she admitted her family would cut her off if she married me without one but as she assured me she was determined to marry me no matter what that didn't stop me from wondering how Long our marriage would last the prenuptial agreement stipulated that if we divorced within the first three years I'd receive only $500,000 I couldn't believe the word only was used in reference to half a million dollar the terms improved slightly after that for every additional year we stayed married
Beyond 3 years I'd earn another $500,000 prated if necessary additionally neither of us could claim any of the others Assets in The event of a split all that aside the best part of the deal was that I got to be with the most stunning woman in the world and if she decided to kick me out at least I wouldn't leave empty-handed one of the most unusual Clauses in the prenup was an agreement that we would not have children although I eventually accepted it this condition didn't sit well with Lisa's parents but Lisa's relationship with them
was strained to say the least she told me they barely Interacted outside of board meetings and that they preferred her brothers Lisa had already clashed with them about the no kids rule long before we met so their disapproval wasn't a shock unsurprisingly we've had little to do with them over the years on the rare occasions when Lisa's parents visited it was uncomfortable they looked at me like I was less than nothing for the first 3 years of our marriage though life was amazing I truly believed Lisa loved me During that time but shortly after our
third anniversary I discovered she was having an affair our relationship had always been unconventional Lisa traveled extensively for work about a week out of every month early on I sometimes accompanied her on these trips but those opportun unities became rarer as time went on occasionally she'd be home for several consecutive weeks but those stretches were the exception yet whenever she returned from a trip she Was insatiable and our intimate life remained passionate the truth began to surface when I saw a photo in the gossip section of the newspaper Lisa's Celebrity Status often landed her in
these pages so I scanned them regularly one day I nearly missed it a photo from a party in Paris in the corner of the image I spotted someone who looked like Lisa I grabbed a magnifying glass to be sure why was this such a big deal because Lisa was supposed to be in Japan On business at the time there could have been a logical explanation maybe a last minute schedule change but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off and I needed answers when we first got married Lisa suggested I quit my job to
travel with her full-time I refused telling her I didn't want to be financially dependent eventually she stopped asking one perk of being married to someone like was access to endless resources but I Avoided using her money knowing how closely she tracked her finances thankfully I had my own income which I mainly spent on gifts for Lisa an exhausting challenge given that she already had everything as my suspicions grew I became consumed with worry sleep and food were afterthoughts I needed Clarity using my own funds I hired a private investigator I chose a firm in St
Louis one I knew Lisa's company had never worked with by this point Lisa's Travel schedule had increased she was away about 2 weeks each month oddly despite her absences our physical relationship remained fiery she seemed genuinely upset whenever she had to leave and Overjoyed Upon returning for a while I almost convinced myself I was imagining things but deep down I knew something wasn't right a month later I received the investigator's report and it hit me like a ton of bricks the truth was devastating the report confirmed That Lisa's lover was Gerard loville whose family held
a powerful Legacy in European banking the levels owned a network of Banks and Gerard served as president of their holding company he and Lisa had known each other since childhood and at one point everyone assumed they'd marry but their relationship ended Lisa married me and Gerard tied the knot with Teresa apos the daughter of a Greek shipping magnet together Gerard and Teresa had three Children the report went into painful detail apparently Gerard and Lisa had split because Gerard wanted children and Lisa adamantly didn't his family had even threatened to disinherit him if he agreed to
her terms then I read something that made it all click Gerard's wife had passed away 6 months earlier with Teresa gone nothing was stopping Gerard and Lisa from reigniting their relationship for 5 days I was a mess trapped in a fog of sadness and Confusion Gerard had been Lisa's First Love and it was clear their connection had been reignited what I couldn't understand was why Lisa hadn't left me whenever she came home she was all over me loving attentive even passionate if I I hadn't known better I would have believed she truly cared for me
she seemed Overjoyed to see me and our time together in bed was as intense as ever but as messy as things already were they were about to get worse when I first Read the report my gut reaction was to confront Lisa and demand a divorce but after taking some time to think I found three reasons to stay first I was still in love with Lisa despite everything second our physical relationship was undeniably amazing and third there was the finan Cal incentive thanks to our prenuptial agreement I earned roughly $1,370 for every day I stayed married
to her from a purely practical standpoint it wasn't a bad deal I decided to hold Off on making any decisions until Lisa returned from her next trip in the meantime a reckless thought began to take rote if she was cheating on me maybe I should do the same even then I wasn't sure I'd actually go through with it as I molded over my options Thelma Johnson one of my sales associates came into my office Thelma was attractive maybe an 8 and a half compared to Lisa's 11 she had a great figure a kind demeanor and
was an excellent Salesperson recently divorced she'd caught her husband cheating but didn't seem particularly heartbroken about it you've been all a fall week Thelma said anything I can help with I liked felma and respected her work ethic that day I decided to open up to her I just found out Lisa's been cheating on me I admitted I don't know whether to confront her or just ignore it easy felma replied blunt ly divorce her and move on it's not that simple I countered I signed a marriage contract for every year I stay married I get $500,000
that's about $1,400 a day not exactly chump change I laid out the other perks of being married to Lisa luxury cars designer clothes lavish parties private jets felma listened thoughtfully and promised to think it over the next day she returned to my office shut the door and sat across from me I think I've got a solution to your problem she saidoh and what's that I Asked curious stay married to Lisa Thelma suggested but with a Twist I raised an eyebrow amused a Twist do tell she smiled knowingly stay married but have an affair I started
to interrupt but she held up a hand hear me out she said just let me explain I leaned back in my chair gesturing for her to continue all right Thelma the floor is yours you're torn for two reasons she began first you still love Lisa even after what she's done second you want Children something Lisa will never give you having an affair alone won't solve that sure you could get a mistress pregnant but that would blow up your marriage I nodded slowly true so what's your point she hesitated for a moment before dropping her bombshell
I think I could be the solution she said flashing a warm smile I blinked what are you saying you want to be my mistress not just just your mistress she replied with a Sly grin I Want something more I frowned unsure of where this was going I'm not sure I like the sound of this just hear me out she insisted I motioned for her to continue David you've known me for years longer than you've known Lisa Thelma said you've always thought Lisa was out of your league but I never saw it that way she's lucky
to have you and she's an idiot to risk losing you but since she's made her choice I'm not going to let this chance slip by she took a deep Breath before continuing I've always been attracted to you but I knew I couldn't compete once Lisa entered the picture now though things are different you want children and I want children Lisa has hurt you and I want to help you heal here's my proposal become my lover I'll keep things discreet so you can stay married to Lisa but I'll give you the children you've always wanted you
get to keep your life with Lisa and fulfill your dream of being a father we Both win I stared at her in stunned silence as she awaited my response I won't lie I was both shocked and intrigued by Thelma's proposal it sounded absurd but part of me couldn't help being drawn to the idea still I could see potential challenges and I began to lay them out first thank you for even suggesting this I said sincerely I'm genuinely flattered it's far more than I could ever expect but there are some issues finances could be Complicated then
there's raising and naming children and what if down the road Road you decide you want to get married Thelma nodded I thought about those problems too but I think I have Solutions financially I own my house and all I'd ask is that we split the cost of raising the children your name would be on their birth certificates as their father but unless you want otherwise they'd take my last name as for marriage I don't see myself wanting that again But I'm realistic enough to know I can't predict the future so I'd suggest we draft a
written agreement with a clause allowing either of us to end things with 6 months notice if I get married you'd have the right to decide on custody if you terminate the agreement I'd keep custody but you'd still have generous visitation rights either way you'd always be recognized as their father we sat in silence for a while each processing what the other had said Eventually I broke the quiet I have to admit your offer is intriguing but I'm not ready to commit to anything like this yet how about we start by going on a few dates
and see if we're compatible Thelma agreed and we began casually dating our first few outings were simple dinner and dancing later we added theater trips to the mix I quickly realized that spending time with Thelma was enjoyable she was warm funny and easy to talk to it was a far Better use of my evenings than sitting alone at home waiting for Lisa to return from her endless trips on our fifth date we shared a long tight Embrace in my car as I dropped her off by the 6th Thelma turned to me and said we definitely
compatible on dates now let's find out if we're compatible in bed Lisa had always been electrifying in bed so I wasn't sure what to expect with Thelma as we undressed I noticed that she was even more attractive than I had imagined While shorter and curvier than Lisa her body was soft and alluring that night we didn't stop at just one round or even two by the time I went home I expected to feel guilty about cheating on Lisa but I didn't if anything my time with Thelma soothed my bruised ego the next day Thelma strolled
into my office radiant she closed the door walked around my desk and kissed me passionately I think last night proved we're compatible so what's the next step Grinning I replied why don't you find a lawyer not connected to this company or leases to draft an agreement then we'll take it from there she beamed I know just the person my brother Tim heun's a great lawyer and someone I trust completely he even warned me not to marry my ex-husband with that Thelma left and I returned to work over the next few days I thought less and
less about her proposal since she didn't bring it up I assumed she had decided Against it honestly I wasn't planning to revisit the subject either by then I was leaning toward divorcing Lisa outright and accepting the financial hit at least I wouldn't end up like so many other husbands financially ruined I knew I'd still walk away with a decent amount 2 weeks later Thelma surprised me by walking into my office and placing a completed cont contract on my desk take your time reviewing it she said make any changes you want if we both agree we'll
Sign it in front of my brother we'll have witnesses and a notary I was stunned she hadn't mentioned the idea since our night together and we hadn't gone out since then either I'd assumed the whole plan was off the table yet now here it was an actual agreement in black and white almost instantly my thoughts shifted back to the idea of taking Thelma as my mistress and having children with her Tim her brother brother turned out to be incredibly Thorough he brought up questions thelman I hadn't even considered one in particular struck me deeply what
would happened to the children if something happened to Thelma or me the question sent a chill down my spine Tim however had a clear solution if Thelma passed away he and his wife would raise the children unless I wanted custody if I was still with Lisa and chose not to take full custody I'd still have unlimited access to the children and They'd be informed that I was their father if I died the children's last name names would be changed to mine and my assets would be placed in a trust for them until they turned 25
as I read through the agreement I realized how serious Thelma was for the first time the idea of building a life with her and creating a family began to feel real I was still wrestling with my decision when Lisa mentioned on Monday That her travel schedule would increase next year that was the final push I needed the very next day I told thma to schedule a meeting with her brother Tim to finalize things Tim a sharp and pragmatic attorney approached the meeting with a professional demeanor though it was clear he deeply cared for his sister's
happiness David you're a lucky man Tim said shaking his head with a Ry smile your wife is stunning and my sister's gorgeous too I'd say you've hit The jackpot I laughed but Thelma gave her brother a look Tim don't forget that Gloria is a fantastic woman and you're lucky to have her I know Tim replied chuckling but a deal like this even Gloria would be jealous just kid she's more than enough for me satisfied with his response Thelma smiled and we returned to the matter at hand one part of the agreement stipulated that Thelma and
I would plan our intimate encounters around Lisa's business trips adjusting Early on to align with Thelma's most fertile periods at the office Thelma and I maintained a strictly professional relationship she even openly told colleagues she was done with dating and planned to have a child through artificial insemination 3 months after we first slept together Thelma called to tell me she was pregnant we maintained a physical relationship during her pregnancy as best as her condition allowed when Thelma went into labor I Couldn't be there as Lisa was home still I rushed to the hospital as soon
as possible to meet my son Gavin whom we had named after her grandfather 18 months later our daughter Jennifer was born shortly after Thelma asked if she could become a stay-at-home mom explaining she had saved enough to last 5 years until both children were in school I was thrilled and offered to cover her her mortgage and utilities through a fund I'd quietly set aside we Hadn't planned on having another child but during one of Lisa's trips Thelma miscalculated her ovulation period tearfully She called to tell me she was pregnant again she feared I'd be angry
but I reassured her that I loved her and all our children this time I was lucky enough to be present in the delivery room when Scotty was born I was so Overjoyed that I floated on Cloud9 for days before Scotty's birth Thelma and I agreed it was time to prevent more Pregnancies after some discussion we decided to leave it to a coin toss Thelma would have her tubes tied if it landed heads and I'd get a vasectomy if it was tails the coin came up heads and Thelma underwent the procedure for a while life seemed
to settle into a comfortable Rhythm then Lisa's travel schedule was abruptly cut back this threw a wrench into my arrangements with Thelma if Lisa wasn't traveling to see Gerard I felt hypocritical sneaking away To see Thelma as nonsensical as it seemed the change disrupted everything when Lisa canceled her trip she appeared genuinely happy which made me feel relieved Thelma however was thrilled at first but as the weeks passed both women began to grow increasingly frustrated Lisa wanted to spend more time together insisting we needed to reconnect meanwhile Thelma was upset that we hadn't been intimate
in nearly 6 weeks although I continued to sleep with Lisa My guilt often affected my performance my life was unraveling and I felt powerless to fix it then one evening I came home to discover that Lisa had found out about my infidelity she confronted me and instead of denying it I finally said you're right maybe we should just get a divorce Lisa's reaction shocked me she stared at me then burst into tears I love you I don't want a divorce she cried before running to the bedroom I followed her Confused when I found her lying
face down on the bed sobbing I sat beside her and pulled her close you were right Lisa I said gently we've been drifting apart for years I thought you wanted a divorce no she choked out I don't want that then why bring it up I asked completely baffled I thought it would wake you up make you realize we need to fix our marriage she admitted between sobs oh I murmured struggling to find the right words finally I confessed Lisa I've Known about your affair with Gerard for years I assumed you were ready to leave me
and be with him Lisa gasped her face pale with SH oh my God she whispered why didn't you ever say anything at first I was so hurt that I was ready to confront you and ask for a divorce I admitted but over time I realized I'd only hurt myself financially and honestly I still loved you but the pain was overwhelming and I was almost ready to file for divorce Then someone at work gave me another idea Lisa's tear stre face showed pure bewilderment she had no idea I knew about her Affair or that I had
been unfaithful myself so you have a mistress she said quietly her voice breaking you're cruel get out of here and leave me alone for the first time I realized the full scope of the damage we had done to each other with every passing moment the situation grew more surreal why on Earth was Lisa furious with me for Having an affair when she was the one who started hers taking this as my chance to escape the madness I decided to spend some time with Thelma and the kids when I arrived at Thelma she pulled me into
the bedroom before I could even explain what had happened afterward we finally talked I thought you'd lost interest in me she admitted softly with Lisa being home all the time I started convincing myself that I didn't need you anymore but honestly I was going crazy Thinking about life without you I filled her in on the strange encounter with Lisa and her emotional Outburst to my surprise Thelma began to cry why are you upset I asked when she had calmed down a bit it's obvious Lisa still loves you deeply Thelma said her voice trembling shek do
whatever it takes to keep you that doesn't make sense I replied first Lisa told me to leave second she's been happy with Gerard for nearly a decade how could she still love me I don't know Thelma said through her tears but something's changed and she clearly doesn't want to let you go it's not fair she's the one who left you and I want you nothing about this situation made any sense anymore in the face of it all I kissed thma made love to her again and tried to to clear my mind by the next morning
after another round of closeness I headed to the office hoping to begin untangling the mess my life had become but when I Arrived at work I found Lisa sitting in my office her expression told me she wasn't there for a friendly visit good morning Lisa I said cautiously this is unexpected I don't recall you ever visiting me at work what's going on you know exactly why I'm here she snapped we need to talk about your Affair realizing this wasn't a conversation to have in public I closed the office door and sat down across from Lisa
I looked at her expectantly all right Lisa what do you Want to discuss she didn't hesitate first who is she I kept my voice steady her name is Thelma Johnson she used to work for me Lisa's eyes narrowed and her tone turned accusatory did you hire a private investigator or something the abrupt question caught me off guard what no why would I one of my friends saw you at a restaurant the other day she interrupted he said you were kissing her passionately he tried to follow her but lost track she paused letting her words Sink
in before delivering the final blow so are you planning to keep seeing her I could barely manage a response oh God was all I could mutter well are you Lisa pressed Lisa I doubt you're going to like what I have to say but you need to hear it I said afterward I think we'll both agree that it's time to end this marriage sadness flickered in her eyes but she nodded for me to continue if you had kept traveling as much as you were before we wouldn't be having this Conversation I began what do my trips
have to do with any of this Lisa demanded I've known about your affair with Gerard for years I said bluntly you were meeting him on your business trips and while you were gone I started seeing Thelma I figured if you could have an affair so could I Lisa's face hardened do you have a child with her sit down Lisa I said firmly no I don't have a child with her I have three you've always known I wanted children and you Never did Lisa sat silently for a long moment processing the information finally she stood I
need time to think this through she said quietly before leaving I figured it would only take a day or two for the company lawyers to draw up divorce papers in the meantime I decided it was safer to stay with Thelma while Lisa processed everything that night being with Thelma and the kids brought me a sense of relief and for the first time in a while I felt happy the Next morning Lisa called my office expecting to hear that the papers were ready I picked up the phone only to be blindsided by her request I want
to meet Thelma and your children Lisa said what I asked sharply listen Lisa I know you're upset and we can argue about whether you have a right to be but I won't let you drag my kids or Thelma into this mess David I promise she said her voice calm and measured I won't do anything to upset embarrass or hurt your Kids Thelma or you I just want to meet them I'll even bring a nanny to help with the kids while Thelma and I talk if you still want a divorce after this I'll respect the terms
of our agreement I hesitated considering the potential Fallout if the meeting went poorly it could make everything worse but it also seemed like the fastest way to resolve things I'll need to talk to Thelma I said cautiously if she agrees when and where how about tomorrow morning at 10: At our house Lisa suggested when I told Thelma about the plan she wasn't happy if you see us side by side you'll realize she's better than me she said her voice tinged with insecurity I rolled my eyes this isn't about comparing you two it's the quickest way
to finalize the divorce reluctantly Thelma agreed and with that I braced myself for what was sure to be an unforgettable meeting the next morning I brought Thelma and the kids to Lisa's House Thelma seemed overwhelmed by the Grandeur of the estate while the kids were buzzing with excitement after I told them about the pool game room and even an ice cream bar inside instead of walking in as I normally would I rang the doorbell to my surprise Lisa herself answered the door typically one of the household staff would handle it as there were always a
few around during the day David Lisa greeted me with a smile this is still your home you Don't need to ring the bell I wasn't sure what kind of Welcome To Expect I replied hesitantly Lisa introduced us to a kindl looking middle-aged woman this is Helen The Nanny she'll take the kids to the the pool while we talk we'll sit in the kitchen where we can keep an eye on them in the kitchen Lisa offered drinks I wanted whiskey but settled for a pepsy given the circumstances Thelma asked for water and Lisa poured herself a
glass of wine I Felt a twinge of annoyance if I'd known wine was on the table I might have chosen differently Lisa started the conversation with a direct approach Thelma David mentioned that you've been together for about eight years as much as we could Thelma replied nervously he insisted we only meet while you were traveling but he always made time for the kids even if it was just for an hour or two he never missed their parties Lisa gave me an unreadable look so Thelma you've been happy with David don't you want a full-time husband
David is the best man I've ever known Thelma said firmly HEK a better part-time husband and father than most full-time men I've met so no I don't want anyone else I want what David is willing to give me Lisa's expression s softened and I noticed a tear slipped down her cheek before she quickly wiped it away she turned to me David could you check on the kids I'd like some time Alone with Thelma I glanced at Thelma though she was visibly anxious she gave me a small nod I kicked off my sandals Sat by the
pool and let my feet dangle in the water as I watched the kids Splash around regret lingered in the back of my mind regret that Lisa had never wanted children and had chosen infidelity occasionally I glanced toward the kitchen window at first Lisa seemed to be doing all the talking then Thelma spoke and Lisa began crying their Conversation continued with the two women taking turns at one point Thelma started writing something down eventually they were hugging and crying together Lisa appeared at the door and called me back inside reluctantly I stood and returned to my
chair unsure of what to expect a part of me wanted to ask if whiskey was still an option but I thought better of David Thelma said reaching for my hand we've come to an agreement my stomach Sank okay I said cautiously am I going to hate this Lisa gave me a faint smile we'll let you decide I leaned back confused and bracing for impact this meeting had started with the expectation of divorce discussions and now it seemed these two women had other plans I didn't understand look I said trying to steady my voice Lisa you've
been cheating on me for nearly 9 years and yes I cheated too but only because you started it I don't Understand why you're clinging to me when you could have been with Gerard divorce me and you'll be free Lisa burst into tears and Thelma smacked my arm what was that for I asked irritated Gerard is dead Thelma said quietly oh I stammered feeling like an idiot I had no idea I'm sorry Lisa took a deep breath wiping her eyes David you're right I cheated Gerard was my first love and I thought I'd moved on until
I met you he ended things with me because I didn't Want children when I saw him again during my travels he was grieving his wife's end of life I wanted to support him through his pain and one thing led to another but even while I loved Gerard I realized I loved you just as much maybe more when Gerard had a heart attack and passed away he'd been pressuring me to leave you and marry him I refused because I couldn't bear the thought of losing you I love you David I can't survive without you and I
know you Still love me even though you've built a family with Thelma if I can love two people at the same time I know you can too I understand I can't have you all to myself but like Thelma I want as much of you as you're willing to give I exhaled deeply sinking into my chair I could almost hear men across the world envying my position but all I could see was chaos waiting to happen two women wanting to share one man dis Aster written all over it I looked between Lisa and Thelma both of
whom were watching me with a mix of Hope and anxiety I decided to play dumb so how exactly is this supposed to work I asked Thelma pulled out a notepad and flipped to the schedule the plan they had worked out was surprisingly detailed in essence Lisa would remain in the master bedroom while Thelma and the children would live in the North Wing which had three bedrooms and two bathrooms I would alternate between them spending nights With thma on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays and with Lisa on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays Sundays were my choice I could
stay wherever I wanted sleeping Arrangements didn't necessarily guarantee closeness though whether or not we were intimate On Any Given night would depend entirely on mutual agreement however if one of them decided they weren't in the mood or unable to I wasn't allowed to switch to the other that night there were other rules but This was the foundation of their agreement I told them I needed time to think the idea seemed far-fetched but they insisted it was either this shared Arrangement or nothing I was skeptical surely one of them would eventually want me full time but
then paranoia crept in what if they were serious about the All or Nothing ultimatum could I risk losing both of them conveniently I had a business trip scheduled for the following day I promised to give them my Decision when I returned surprisingly I managed to focus on my work and even closed to deal with Stellar Enterprises but as my flight home touched down it hit me I'd already made up my mind I would accept their Arrangement Thelma took the new terms to her brother Tim to draft an updated agreement as she explained the situation to
him his eyes widened in disbelief when she finished he turned to me with mock indignation David I officially hate you he said Shaking his head I laughed knowing he was joking you could always find yourself a mistress I quipped earning a sharp slap on the arm from Thelma not a chance Tim replied with a chuckle for the first 7 months the arrangement worked surprisingly well my bed life didn't necessarily become more intense but it was consistent I was intimate with one or both women three to five times a week with Helen The Nanny taking care
of the kids during the day Thelma Returned to work in my office Lisa initially wary of this resolved the issue by offering Thelma a better-paying job with excellent benefits Thelma now worked for Lisa and seemed genuinely happy with the arrangement but then just shy of the seven-month Mark I came home one evening to find both women waiting for me in the dining room they said there was an issue with the agreement that needed amending my stomach sank what now I thought little did I know Things were about to take another wild turn Lisa spoke first
wasting no time David I want to have a baby she announced I was stunned of all the possible topics they could have raised this was the last thing I expected Ed Lisa wanting a child it felt like I had stepped into an alternate reality Lisa continued her voice softer now I know I always said I didn't want children but watching you with Thelma's kids changed something in me I see how much joy they Bring you and I want that too I want to experience that love all I could manage was a week okay apparently that
was the magic word both women squealed with delight hugging and kissing me then Lisa added something that sent my thoughts spiraling again Thelma and I also agreed on another point I shouldn't be married to you panic said in were they planning to kick me out after Lisa had her baby I'd known they were close but was this their plan All along let me get this straight I said my voice tight you want me to get Lisa pregnant and then you're both going to kick me to the curb if that's your plan just say so but
don't think for a second I'll let you cut me off from my children what felma exclaimed her voice rising in shock no David that's not at all Lisa quickly chimed in her face flushed with embarrassment I must have explained it badly that's not what we meant at all Thelma threw her arms Around me I love you David I'd be devastated if you left and I feel the same way Lisa added tears streaming down her face then what are you talking about I asked exasperated because none of this makes sense to me Lisa reached for my
hand let's all have a drink and calm down once we've had a moment I'll explain everything more clearly I promise we'll respect whatever decision you make after my first shot of whiskey I asked Lisa are you sure about wanting A child this is a big shift for you Lisa admitted that spending time with Thelma's kids had awakened a maternal Instinct she hadn't realized she had she couldn't ignore the desire any longer the new agreement would adjust my time with her to prioritize her fertility Cycles 4 months later Lisa was pregnant and eventually she gave birth
to a beautiful baby girl named Charlotte she had Lisa's striking eyes and my smile Thelma and the kids adored her as For the divorce it turned out to be part of their elaborate plan to ensure Thelma's children would face no Stigma Lisa proposed that I divorce her after Charlotte's birth and marry thma once married Lisa would use her considerable resources to retroactively adjust records making it appear as though Thelma and I had been married when our children were born later Thelma and I would divorce and Lisa and I would remarry if this sounds confusing imagine
How I felt living it shortly after Charlotte's birth I finalized my divorce from Lisa and married Thelma somehow Lisa secured the necessary documents and made everything appear seamless when I asked why they didn't just alter the records without going through the motions they simply replied that's a woman's business I didn't argue the only downside to Lisa having a baby was that her parents now visited more frequently to see their granddaughter it added a New layer of complexity as I was sure of they didn't buy Lisa's story about having an assistant always present their Curious glances
confirmed as much and the kids when they were young they didn't think much of our unconventional family setup as they grew older we explained that their mothers were close friends and that I had been married to each at different times the finer details those could wait until they were adults in the end our family wasn't Traditional but it worked for now the complexity of human emotions often defies simple explanations and as our unconventional Arrangement evolved so too did the intricate tapestry of Our Lives from the outside our lives resembled a modern fairy tale wrapped in
drama but the reality was far more nuanced each chapter brought its own challenges and moments of reflection life with Lisa and Thelma was surprisingly harmonious after Charlotte's birth while the transition to co-parenting between two households with shared custody was unconventional the arrangement allowed us to embrace an odd sense of balance Charlotte became the glue that bound us further with her first smile Giggle and tentative steps any lingering tension seemed to dissolve in the sheer Joy of watching her grow her innocence served as a reminder of what really mattered in those initial months we all found
new purpose thma Delighted in Charlotte's company often commenting that watching her bond with Gavin Jennifer and Scotty felt like healing Old Wounds the older children embraced their new sibling wholeheartedly and their Giggles often echoed through the sprawling estate as for Lisa motherhood softened her in ways I never imagined possible she grew more patient and introspective a transformation that rippled through our lives professionally the arrangement Proved mutually beneficial Lisa and Thelma once wary of each other began to collaborate on several Ventures combining Lisa's business Acumen with Thelma's practical expertise what initially began as a business relationship
blossomed into a genuine friendship they often joke that that between managing their professional Endeavors and our family Dynamic they'd inadvertently created the most efficient Partnership imaginable for my part I found myself thriving in the supportive environment the Dual Dynamic of being a father in two households taught me to compartmentalize and cherish the time I had with each family unit the arrangement wasn't without its awkward moments switching between roles of husband to Thelma and ex-husband but still partner to Lisa but over time we all adapted even Lisa's parents once staunchly opposed to our relationship Began to
warm to the arrangement albeit begrudgingly their frequent visits to see Charlotte served as an olive branch of sorts and while they never fully embraced Thelma or acknowledged my other children their presence added a layer of normaly to Charlotte's life the years passed in a blur of birthdays milestones and shared victories Charlotte grew into a bright and curious child displaying an uncanny knack for diplomacy it wasn't uncommon for her to mediate squabbles Between her older siblings her small voice voice often saying we're all one big family remember her perspective simple yet profound often brought Clarity during
moments of Doubt as the children Grew Older the complexity of our Arrangement became harder to explain we made a collective decision to sit them down and share the full story when they were ready it was during one such family discussion that Gavin the eldest voiced what we had all feared so who do I belong to Mom or Dad the room fell silent it was Lisa who broke the tension placing a hand on Gavin's shoulder you belong to yourself she said softly but you're also a part of all of us we not defined by labels we're
defined by how we care for each other Gavin nodded thoughtfully her words resonating deeply our unconventional family also Drew attention from the outside world rumors and Whispers circulated particularly in Social Circles tied to Lisa's business Empire yet we maintained a united front rushing off scrutiny with humor and Poise Le often quipped let them gossip at least they're paying attention as the children entered their teenage years the challenges became more pronounced navigating adolescence within a blended family required constant communication and adaptability there were moments of rebellion awkward family therapy sessions and the occasional Outburst of frustration
yet these challenges only Reinforced our bond each difficulty was met with unwavering support and love one of the most poignant moments came when charl at the tender age of 16 asked me Dad how did you and Mom and Thelma manage to make this work I paused taking a back by the maturity of her question after a moment of reflection I replied we managed because we chose love even when it wasn't easy and because we believe that family no matter how unconventional is worth fighting for That conversation stayed with me it became a touchstone in my
understanding of what we had built a family rooted in resilience and bound by an unshakable commitment to each other it wasn't perfect and it wasn't traditional but it was ours in time the children left the nest pursuing their dreams and carving paths that reflected the values we had instilled in them Gavin became a lawyer passionate about advocating for unconventional families like ours Jennifer pursued a career in environmental science inspired by Thelma's love for nature Scotty ever the charmer followed in Lisa's footsteps joining the family business and breathing new life into the gravo brand and Charlotte
with her diplomatic Spirit embarked on a career in international relations bridging divides much like she had within our family as for Lisa Thelma and me our lives continued to intertwine the love we shared evolved deepening Into a profound respect and appreciation for the journey we had undertaken together we often reflected on how far we had come marveling at the strength it took to build and sustain our unique family in the Twilight years of Our Lives we found ourselves sitting together on The Veranda of the estate watching the sun dip below the Horizon the laughter of
grandchildren echoed in the background a testament to the Legacy we had created Lisa turned to me her Eyes filled with gratitude we did good didn't we I nodded smiling better than good we did extraordinary and so our story messy beautiful and deeply human continued proving that love in all its forms has the power to transform and endure [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music]
