Sure! Here’s a shorter version of your story that keeps the core meaning and emotional arc intact:
I’m 33, married to James, 39. We agreed early on to wait for kids until we had a house and financial stability — which we now have. I work as an editor at a top magazine, and James leads a cybersecurity team.
Lately, though, James has been acting strangely — always on his phone, taking late-night calls, and smelling like someone else’s perfume. Fearing he was cheating, I hired a private investigator, Benson.
Benson later told me to drop the investigation — that it was “safer” for both of us, which only fueled my panic. I decided to install hidden cameras at home but was shocked to find some already there.
While I was packing to leave, James walked in. When I confronted him, he surprised me with the truth: he’s not just in cybersecurity — he’s a Secret Service agent. The cameras were for our protection, not surveillance of me.
James said he’s planning to transition to a safer, desk-based role so we can finally start our family. Though the truth was overwhelming, it brought relief. Now, we’re moving forward — with honesty, and hopefully, a baby on the way.