My husband James started behaving strangely. Always on his phone, late phone calls, his clothes engulfed in different smells. I started suspecting that he was ch:e:ating on me, so I decided to hire a private investigator named Benson. But when we met the next day, the private investigator’s face was totally pale.

Me: “Did you find what I asked you to?”
Benson: “About that, I think it’s better if we stop investigating him.”
Me: “What are you saying? Why?”
Benson: “There’s a lot more going on here than we realized. Trust me, this is bigger than you think, and it’s safer if we let it go.”

What had Benson uncovered about James? Was my husband tangled in something even darker than in:fide:lity?

But Benson didn’t say more.

“Keep the money,” he muttered before hanging up. “I don’t want it.”

That night, sleep evaded me completely. I had to know what was happening. If Benson wouldn’t help, I’d figure it out myself.

“Come on, Eileen,” I said. “You can do this.”

I purchased hidden cameras and a voice recorder, planning to plant them in James’ car and his home office.

But while I was installing a camera in his study, I came across something that made my skin crawl.

There were already hidden cameras installed. One in our bedroom. One in the hallway. The living room. Even the kitchen.

I’d never noticed them before.

My mind spiraled, panic taking over. Honestly, who was James? Why was our home wired like this?

Was James monitoring me? Was I living inside a prison disguised as a marriage? I felt trapped and unsafe, and before I could stop myself, I grabbed a suitcase and started packing.

“Annie, I need you to talk me down from a panic attack,” I said, putting my phone on speaker when my best friend answered.

“Okay, Eileen,” she said calmly. “Talk to me. What’s going on? What triggered you?”

“James…” I said. “I found hidden cameras in the house. I don’t know why they’re here. I don’t know what to do. I’m not okay, Annie!”

“Breathe,” she said slowly. “I need you to breathe. What are you doing? Are you home?”

“I’m home,” I sighed. “And now, I’m packing a bag.”

“Why?” Annie asked. “Where are you going?”

“Are you seriously asking me that question?” I asked, packing my pajamas.

“I’m trying to understand,” Annie said.

I needed to go somewhere else.

“I’ll speak to you later. When I’m settled,” I said.

That’s when James walked in.

He took in the open suitcase and my trembling hands.

“Darling, what’s going on?” he asked.

I pointed at the camera in the corner of our bedroom.

“Why are there cameras in our house, James? What the hell is going on?” I shrieked.

Surprisingly, he didn’t get angry but he smiled, like I’d caught him in some harmless prank.

“How did you find them?” he asked, his voice calm, almost amused. “Were you trying to install a camera too?”

The absurdity of his response drove me crazy.

“Yes! I thought you were ch:eating on me! But this… I don’t know,” I gestured wildly at the camera, my voice cracking. “This is worse! You’ve been watching me. Why, James? Who are you?”

My husband stepped closer.

“I’ll explain everything, Eileen,” he said. “Just, please, try to understand.”

I nodded.

“I told you I work in cybersecurity, yes?” James began slowly. “That’s not the entire truth… I’m not just a cybersecurity kind of guy, darling. I’m an agent.”

My stomach dropped.

“An agent?” I repeated, the word tasting foreign in my mouth. “What… What kind of agent?”

“I’m with the Secret Service,” he said, his voice steady but his expression careful. “The cameras are for our safety, not to spy on you, darling. I couldn’t tell you before, it was too dangerous. I just wanted to make sure no one would come snooping around while we were out. Or worse, while you were home alone.”

I’d been convinced James was sneaking around with another woman, only to find out that he was… what?

“A secret agent?” I whispered, my mind struggling to connect the dots. “You’re James Bond now, huh?”

He chuckled softly, although the weight in his gaze didn’t lift.

“It’s not as glamorous as it sounds, really. I provide security for high-level government officials, sometimes foreign diplomats when they visit. It’s complicated and stressful, but I’ve been trying to transfer to desk duty.”

“Desk duty?” I asked, still reeling.

“Actual cybersecurity,” he clarified. “So I can be home more. I want to build our family, Eileen. That’s why I’m making the switch.”

I dazed. The man I’d thought was pulling away from me wasn’t running toward someone else. He was running from a dangerous life to protect us both.

“So… no late-night affairs?” I asked weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

James smiled, reaching for my hand.

“No af:fairs, my darling,” he said softly. “Just a lot of secrets I wish I didn’t have to keep. And trying to stay away from people who would love to uncover them.”

Somehow, as wild as it sounded, it made sense.

“Is this a deal breaker, Eileen?” James asked, his voice quieter now. “I’ve wondered about it for a long time… If I told you the truth, would you still want to be with me? Would you still want us to have kids together?”

I stood there for a moment, every possible answer spinning through my mind.

“That’s why I’ve been trying to get out of active duty,” he continued. “I knew this day would come, sooner or later, everything would catch up to me.”

I swallowed hard, my thoughts finally settling.

“It’s not a deal breaker,” I whispered.

James held me close. And for the first time in weeks, I felt grounded again. Our life wasn’t going to be easy, far from it. But at least now, I knew what we were up against.