My husband came home with another woman and said he wanted her to be his second wife. I thought he was joking at first. But when I saw he was serious, I agreed with one condition. That condition surprised him.
I never imagined I’d be in this situation, but here I am, ready to share what happened a week ago.
It all started a few months ago when Jack, my husband of eight years, began acting differently.
We weren’t newlyweds anymore, but our marriage was steady. Or so I thought.
Jack’s mood swings were subtle at first.
He’d always been full of ideas, but suddenly, he talked about “alternative lifestyles” as if he had just discovered a new way of living.
“One evening,” he said while scrolling through his phone, “some people really are embracing unconventional ways of life. It makes you think about what works and what doesn’t.”
I asked, “Like what?”
He responded vaguely, “Oh, I don’t know. Just… ways to simplify life.”
I assumed he meant harmless things like minimalism or eco-friendly living.
Jack was always jumping on trends—there was a time he became obsessed with woodworking, then another time he talked about opening a food truck.
Most of those ideas fizzled out eventually. I thought this one would be no different.
Later, he made a comment one night as I folded laundry.
“Wouldn’t it be helpful if we had some extra help around here?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” I replied, looking at him.
“Oh, nothing,” he said with a shrug. “You’re always so busy. Don’t you think it’d be nice if you had someone to share the chores?”
“Like hiring a cleaning service?” I joked.
He chuckled but didn’t reply. His tone was strangely serious, and I started to feel uncomfortable.
Soon after, I noticed he was spending much more time on his phone. He carried it everywhere—kitchen, bathroom, even to bed.
He would sit scrolling, often laughing to himself. When I asked what was so funny, he said, “Just some reels on Instagram.”
At first, I dismissed it. But then I started noticing how strange his habit was becoming. Who spends so much time on their phone all of a sudden?
That’s when I knew I had to ask him what was going on.
One night, as he came out of the bathroom holding his phone, I asked, “Jack, is everything okay?”
He paused in his steps.
“Of course,” he said with a smile. “I’m just thinking of ways to improve our lives, that’s all. Don’t worry.”
His words sounded reassuring, but I felt the opposite. “Improve our lives” seemed like code for something I wasn’t ready to hear.
A few days later, Jack asked me something that made my stomach tighten.
“Do you think I’m truthful with you?” he casually asked.
“Truthful?” I repeated. “Uh, yeah. Why?”
“No reason,” he said quickly. “I just believe honesty is very important in a marriage. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Absolutely,” I replied, narrowing my eyes. “But what’s this about? Where’s this coming from?”
He shrugged, “Oh, nothing. I just think it’s time we talked about the future. Ways to make things better for both of us.”
I tried to change the subject. “I have to pick up a few things from the store today. Want to come?”
“Sure,” he said.
I hoped he’d drop whatever weird topic he was bringing up. But looking back, that talk was just the start of a storm.
Last week, Jack came home from work in a surprisingly upbeat mood. I was chopping vegetables for dinner when he walked in through the door.
I looked up, expecting his usual half-hearted “Hey, babe.” But instead, he arrived with a young woman behind him.
“Amelia,” he said happily, “this is Claire.”
I put down the knife, confused.
Who was this woman? Was she a friend? I’d never heard her name before.
“Hi, Claire,” I said. “Can I help you with something?”
She just looked at Jack, waiting silently for him to speak.
“What’s going on, Jack?” I asked, feeling impatient.
I sensed something wasn’t right.
He started to say, “Amelia… Claire is going to be my second wife.”
I thought he was joking.
“Good one, Jack,” I said, laughing. “You got me. Where’s the hidden camera?”
But he didn’t smile. His face was serious.
“You’re joking,” I said. “This isn’t true, right?”
My eyes shifted from Jack to Claire, who stared back, as if I was being unreasonable.
He confirmed, “No. Listen, Amelia, this may seem unusual, but it’s practical. Claire is a hardworking woman. She can help with cooking, cleaning, and household chores. It keeps everything running smoothly. Besides, it’s better than hiding and having a mistress, right? At least I’m honest.”
I stared at him, trying to understand his words.
He wanted to bring another woman into our lives as if it was nothing. And he wanted me to accept his honesty? Seriously, Jack?
Claire stood behind him, avoiding my gaze. I could tell she wanted to leave.
As I stood there, Jack kept talking about “the best solution” for everyone. That’s when I had an idea.
I crossed my arms and waited.
When he finished, I smiled sweetly.
“Okay,” I said. “You can have a second wife. But I’ll set one rule.”
His face lit up. “Of course! Whatever! What’s the rule?”
I announced, “She can’t approach my second husband. Deal?”
His eyes widened as if I said something crazy.
“Second husband?” he stammered. “W-what do you mean?”
“Well, if you’re allowed to have a second wife, why shouldn’t I have a second husband? Think about it, Jack. Two incomes. Someone to take me out when you’re busy or don’t want to. A man who actually buys me flowers. It’s only fair, right?”
He looked stunned. “That’s… that’s not how it works!” he exclaimed.
“Oh, I’m the crazy one?” I shot back. “You come home with a stranger and expect me to accept her. But my having the same freedom? That’s ridiculous? Funny logic, Jack.”
Claire stayed quiet, looking between us like she had walked into the wrong room. If she was nervous before, she now looked ready to leave.
His face turned red as he tried to defend himself.
“This is different,” he said. “A man having two wives… it’s accepted in some cultures. But a woman with two husbands? No one’s ever heard of that.”
I snorted. “Oh, so now you’re an expert on culture? Funny, I don’t recall you adopting any other traditions. Why only this one?”
“Amelia, stay serious,” he pleaded. “You can’t have a second husband. That’s not how things are done!”
“Then, Jack,” I said calmly, “if you want to follow “tradition,” I’ll do the same. But my rule is: if you have a second wife, I get a second husband. Take it or leave it.”
He stared, wide-eyed. I knew he wanted to yell at me, but even he knew he was being unreasonable.
Without another word, he turned to Claire. “Go home. We’ll talk later.”
Claire didn’t argue. She grabbed her purse and almost ran out without even saying goodbye to the man she thought was going to marry her.
That night, Jack tried everything to make me see I was wrong. “You don’t mean this,” he said, pacing. “You’re just trying to prove a point. Let’s discuss this like adults.”
I replied calmly, “We are talking. I’ve been clear. If you want Claire, I want another husband. Fair’s fair, Jack.”
By morning, his attitude changed.
He came into the kitchen looking down.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said shyly. “Maybe this second-wife idea wasn’t such a good one.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Maybe?”
He said quietly, “Yes. It was a bad idea. Let’s just forget this ever happened, okay?”
Haha! Nice try, Jack.
“It’s too late to forget,” I said. “Last night, I created a profile on a dating app. I’ve already received dozens of messages from men who seem more eager to be my second husband than I expected.”
He asked nervously, “What do you mean?”
“I’m done, Jack. It’s over,” I responded.
The next day, I packed my bags and moved to a friend’s house.
Jack kept calling and texting, begging me to forgive him. I ignored him.
Eventually, I filed for divorce. From what I hear, Claire even stopped answering Jack’s calls.
He should have thought twice before suggesting such a “practical” solution.
