About two years ago, I divorced my husband. I have two kids, 13 and 8. His new wife wants to be friends with our kids after his second marriage last year. I didn’t object. My life was perfect until I discovered my ex’s new wife was lying to my daughter about me.
It started little. After visiting her dad over the weekend, my 13-year-old Maddy came home one Sunday. She was quieter than usual. She nodded and went to her room when I inquired whether everything was good.
Unusually, she didn’t ask for homework help that night. At our customary movie night, she didn’t sit next to me. I assumed she was exhausted or going through something she didn’t want to discuss.
But it got worse over the next few weeks. She retreated from me. At first, I thought it was teenage stuff. Hormones. Mood swings. My 8-year-old son Jamie started acting weirdly too.
He suddenly remarked, “Mom, is it true you left us because you didn’t love us anymore?”
I froze. “What? No, baby, why ask?
Looked down at his porridge. “Clara said.”
My ex-husband married Clara.
My heart dropped. I was seething within but kept my voice calm for Jamie. Why would she say it to an 8-year-old? Not even close. I stayed. I campaigned for shared custody because kids need both parents. Not even a messy divorce. Separation had occurred. It ached, but we did our best for the kids.
That night, I called my ex after the kids went to bed.
He caught on the second ring. “Hey. Everything okay?
Keeping it measured. “Has Clara told the kids about me?”
He sounded disoriented. Not that I know of. Why?”
“Because Jamie told me I left because I didn’t love them.”
He paused. “That can’t be right. Clara wouldn’t say that.”
“Well, he didn’t lie.”
He sighed. “Okay. Will talk to her.”
To believe him. Really did. But damage was done.
I took the kids to the park after school the next day. I packed soccer balls and snacks. Just us three. I needed a relaxed conversation.
I put them on the bench after a while.
“Maddy, may I ask?” I said softly.
She shrugged. “Okay.”
Has Clara ever mentioned me? Why did your dad and I divorce?
Maddy paused. “She said you cheated on Dad.”
My mouth fell.
“What?”
She looked down, uneasy. “She said you left for that. That Dad was devastated. That you were selfish and didn’t care how much it affected him.”
I closed my eyes to stop the room from whirling. It was a falsehood that my ex and I never discussed our personal matters with the kids.
“Maddy, that’s not true,” I responded steadily. “I never cheated on your dad. We were no longer content together. Both agreed to split.”
“I didn’t believe her at first,” Maddy whispered. “But she repeated it multiple times…”
I couldn’t sleep that night. I paced the living room. Quite quietly, I cried. Because someone was lying to my kids about me and I didn’t know how to stop it without starting a conflict.
I wanted my kids out of the middle.
Next morning, I requested a meeting with my ex. Face-to-face. No kids.
We met in a quiet cafe. He looked drained. As did I.
“She’s poisoning the kids against me,” I told him. She told Jamie I didn’t love him and Maddy I cheated on you.
His hand stroked his hair. “She told me she was helping them ‘process’ everything. I had no idea it had gone this far.”
You must address her. This must end.”
“I will.”
Weeks passed. Clara again remained silent. Children, especially Maddy, remained distant. Whenever she returned from her dad’s, I had to win her over again.
I started journaling. Everything strange they said. Everything that suggested Clara was still undermining me.
I pondered going back to court, but I didn’t want to drag the kids. I hoped my ex would act.
An unexpected event occurred.
For a class project, Jamie required family photos. I gave him many from our pre-divorce family. He enjoyed taking them to school.
His teacher, Ms. Lopez, called me Friday.
“Hi, I just wanted to share something with you,” she remarked pleasantly. Jamie presented on his family today and spoke eloquently about you.”
I grinned. “Really?”
“Yes. He said, “My mom always makes me feel safe.” I feel like I can tell her anything with her. It moved me.”
I hung up after thanking her. Just one comment gave me hope. Clara may not have reached Jamie.
Clara and I met at a school event days later.
We kept our distance, but I noticed. Clara’s smile tightened whenever a teacher or parent greeted me pleasantly.
That night, it worked.
Clara didn’t only want to change history. She wanted to replace me. She wanted to be “better mom.”
She told numerous stories, but the truth always came out. Children are smart. They feel reality.
No confrontation with Clara. Neither did I yell or insult her.
I focused on making better memories with the kids. Extra one-on-one. Cooking together. Game nights. Little things.
Maddy warmed up again. Slowly. But I noticed. She sought my guidance. Inform me of her day. Sitting alongside me, she muttered, “I think I was wrong to believe her.”
Hugged her fiercely. Sweetheart, it’s okay. No need to select. I’ll always be honest.”
I was surprised by the twist.
Flustered, my ex called.
He responded, “Clara’s been fired from her job. “She was caught spreading coworker rumors. Charged her with supervisor infidelity. Nothing was true.”
The Stepmother’s Secret
