Jack never took sick days, so when he stayed home sick one morning, it was already strange. But as his wife prepared the kids for school, she opened the door to find a life-sized porcelain statue of Jack on the porch—down to the scar on his chin.

Jack, pale and shaken, dragged it inside without explanation. Later, their son handed her a note found under the statue: *“I’m returning the statue I made while believing you loved me… You owe me \$10,000 or your wife sees every message. —Sally.”*

She quietly pocketed the note, dropped off the kids, and called a divorce lawyer. That night, she found Jack’s laptop open with emails to Sally: *“My wife can’t find out”* and *“I still love you.”* She sent the proof to herself and contacted Sally directly.

Sally revealed they had been together almost a year, believing Jack was divorced. She agreed to testify.

In court, the wife won the house, full custody, and \$10,000 paid to Sally. Jack avoided her gaze. When he tried to speak afterward, she cut him off: *“You never meant for me to find out.”* She drove away, leaving him with the statue, his lies, and the ruins of his double life.