On the First Day of School, the Teacher Called My Son by a Different Name, and He Acted Like It Was Completely Normal

Travis stood there, calm, offering no explanation. After school, instead of our planned celebration, Travis suddenly announced he was taking Lucas to “Grandma’s” for a father-son trip. It didn’t feel spontaneous. Suspicious, I followed them in a cab to a large house I didn’t recognize. Lucas ran to the pool like he’d been there many times.

Then Jenna walked out, and Travis kissed her. I confronted them and learned the truth: Jenna had lost a son named Jamie, and Travis had told Lucas to pretend to be him to “make her happy,” even rewarding him with candy. I saw it for what it was—a betrayal deeper than the affair itself. They’d built a false family around my real child.

That night, I went to Travis’s mother, told her everything, and made my decision. I would end the marriage, take the house, secure child support, and protect Lucas from ever being used like that again.Continue reading…