I thought everything was fine at home while I was away on a work trip until a message from my 10-year-old son shattered that belief.

In just a few words, he revealed how my husband had made him feel like an outsider, and I knew I had to act fast to protect my child.

I was three days into a work trip. Just three days. I should’ve been enjoying my time and focused on my meetings.

But instead, I found myself booking the first flight home after hearing that message from Jake.Everything had seemed fine at first.

Our family wasn’t perfect, but we were happy, or so I thought. Jake, my eldest, was from my first marriage.

He was ten now, a bright kid with a love for drawing and adventure. Tommy, who was six, was from my marriage to Mark.

The two boys got along like real brothers, always playing and laughing together. I never saw a problem.Each night, I would FaceTime the boys.

They’d show me their drawings, tell me about their day, and I’d laugh along with them. Mark, my husband of seven years, was at home taking care of them.

I trusted him. He’d always been great with

Tommy. And I thought he was good with Jake, too.Well, one regular evening, Jake sent me an audio message.

His sweet voice filled the silence of my hotel room. “Hey, Mom. Today was good. Tommy and I played outside.

Oh, and Tommy and Dad finished their food first, and then I got to eat what was left. Dad says it’s normal, and I should be okay with it.

But, um, I think it was kinda weird. Was it?” I stopped breathing. Played the message again. Leftovers?