Uma mulher embarcou em seu voo esperando apenas mais uma viagem de rotina, mas o passageiro ao lado dela tinha outros planos. O que aconteceu em seguida mudou completamente como o voo terminou — para ambos.
Então lá estava eu, embarcando em mais um voo de Nova York para Los Angeles, esperando uma viagem tranquila e sem incidentes. Como consultor de marketing de 35 anos, viajo muito a trabalho, então, agora, já tenho toda a rotina de aeroporto e voo sob controle.
Dessa vez, eu estava indo para uma grande conferência em Los Angeles, com uma conexão super apertada para San Diego para uma reunião pré-conferência. Tudo estava programado até o minuto, e eu realmente não podia me dar ao luxo de atrasos.
A mulher prestes a embarcar em um voo | Fonte: Midjourney
Eu tinha tudo planejado perfeitamente, até mesmo escolhendo um assento no corredor para uma escapada rápida. Quando cheguei na minha fileira, notei que o cara no assento da janela já estava acomodado.
Ele parecia ter uns 40 e poucos anos, irradiando um tipo de autoimportância que era difícil de ignorar. Ele estava vestido com uma camisa social bem passada, calças bonitas e sapatos brilhantes. Ele ficava olhando seu relógio caro, como se tivesse um lugar mais importante para estar, e mal olhou para cima quando me sentei.
O homem sentado em uma das janelas do avião | Fonte: Midjourney
Nada demais, pensei. Tudo o que eu queria era um voo tranquilo e talvez alguns minutos para rever minhas anotações para a reunião em San Diego. Mal sabia eu que esse cara estava prestes a transformar minha simples viagem em um mini-pesadelo.
Na metade do voo, os comissários começaram a servir o jantar. Eu não tinha comido o dia todo porque estava muito focado em me preparar para a conferência. Quando o serviço de refeições começou, eu estava morrendo de fome.
A mulher trabalhando em seu laptop no avião | Fonte: Midjourney
Assim que senti o cheiro da comida, meu estômago roncou, me lembrando de quão faminto eu estava. Eu mal podia esperar para comer, rever minhas anotações e talvez até tirar um cochilo rápido antes de pousar.
Mas então a natureza chamou. Olhei para o corredor, esperando que o carrinho de comida ainda estivesse a algumas fileiras de distância. Estava, então imaginei que tinha tempo suficiente para uma rápida parada no banheiro. Pedi licença, tentando não incomodar muito o Sr. Importante, e fui para a parte de trás do avião.
A mulher indo ao banheiro | Fonte: Midjourney
Quando cheguei ao banheiro, vi uma fila. Ótimo, exatamente o que eu precisava! Olhei meu relógio ansiosamente enquanto os minutos passavam, mas a fila mal andava. Quando finalmente chegou minha vez, eu estava praticamente batendo o pé com impaciência. Eu sabia que o serviço de refeições tinha começado e não queria perdê-lo.
Mulher esperando impacientemente sua vez no banheiro do avião | Fonte: Midjourney
Quando finalmente voltei para meu assento, não conseguia acreditar no que vi: minha bandeja de comida tinha sumido! E o cara ao meu lado estava sentado ali, feliz da vida comendo sua segunda refeição!
O homem sentado ao lado da mulher desfrutando de uma segunda porção de comida | Fonte: Midjourney
“Uh, eles trouxeram minha refeição enquanto eu estava fora?” perguntei, embora a resposta fosse dolorosamente óbvia.
Ele levantou os olhos da bandeja, um sorriso presunçoso se espalhando pelo rosto. “Ah, sim. Você estava demorando, então imaginei que não queria. Não queria que fosse desperdiçado.”
Olhei para ele, estupefata. “Você comeu minha refeição?”
Mulher fica surpresa ao saber que passageiro arrogante havia comido sua refeição | Fonte: Midjouney
“É”, ele disse, ainda mastigando. “Eu ainda estava com fome depois do meu, e você não estava aqui. Você pode simplesmente pegar alguma coisa no aeroporto quando pousarmos.”
Eu não conseguia acreditar no que estava ouvindo. Eu já tinha lidado com pessoas privilegiadas antes, mas isso era um nível totalmente novo. Fiquei ali por um momento, completamente sem palavras. Quem faz isso?
Mulher fica perplexa com audácia de passageiro arrogante | Fonte: Midjourney
“Você está falando sério agora?”, perguntei, mais para mim mesmo, ainda esperando que fosse algum tipo de piada bizarra.
Ele apenas deu de ombros, totalmente imperturbável. “Relaxa, é só comida de avião.”
O homem arrogante sorrindo para a mulher enquanto desfruta de sua refeição | Fonte: Midjourney
Sentindo uma mistura de raiva e descrença, apertei o botão de chamada e perguntei à aeromoça se ainda havia alguma refeição. Ela me deu um sorriso de desculpas e disse: “Sinto muito, mas ficamos sem refeições. Você gostaria de alguns pretzels em vez disso?”
Pretzels? Isso não ia exatamente dar certo, mas o que eu poderia fazer? Peguei o saquinho de pretzels, me sentindo derrotado e cada vez mais irritado com a audácia do meu companheiro de assento.
Mulher expressa decepção por ter apenas um pretzel para comer | Fonte: Midjourney
Enquanto isso, o Sr. Importante terminou as duas refeições, recostou-se na cadeira e adormeceu prontamente, parecendo tão satisfeito quanto um gato que acabou de pegar um rato.
O homem arrogante dormindo profundamente no avião | Fonte: Midjourney
Tentei me concentrar no meu trabalho, mordiscando os pretzels e olhando feio para o homem, agora roncando suavemente ao meu lado. Meu estômago roncou em protesto, mas me forcei a me concentrar nas minhas anotações.
Lembrei a mim mesmo que tinha uma conexão apertada para me preocupar e não podia deixar esse idiota estragar meu dia. Continuei olhando meu relógio, contando os minutos até pousarmos.
Mulher trabalhando enquanto o homem arrogante ao lado dele dormia profundamente | Fonte: Midjouney
Quando começamos a descer para Los Angeles, os comissários de bordo fizeram os anúncios habituais sobre pousos e voos de conexão. O lembrete sobre conexões apertadas me tirou da frustração e me colocou de volta no modo trabalho. Olhei para meu companheiro de assento. Ele ainda estava inconsciente, completamente alheio ao mundo.
Homem ainda dormindo no avião ao pousar | Fonte: Midjourney
O avião pousou e, assim que o fez, peguei minha mala, pronto para correr para meu próximo portão. Mas assim que me levantei, ouvi um comissário de bordo fazer um anúncio importante: “Atenção, passageiros com conexão para San Diego. Houve uma mudança de portão de última hora. Vocês precisam ir para o Terminal 4, Portão 45, o mais rápido possível.”
A mulher ouvindo um anúncio enquanto se prepara para sair do avião | Fonte: Midjourney
Ótimo, pensei. Exatamente o que eu precisava — uma mudança de portão. Virei-me para sair quando olhei para o Sr. Importante, ainda roncando. Na verdade, fiquei pensando se deveria acordá-lo. Quer dizer, claro, ele tinha comido minha refeição e sido um completo idiota, mas isso significava que eu deveria simplesmente deixá-lo perder a conexão?
A mulher pensando se deveria acordar o homem | Fonte: Midjourney
Quando peguei minha mala no compartimento superior, decidi dar-lhe um leve empurrão. “Ei, pousamos”, eu disse baixinho, sem querer incomodar mais ninguém.
Nada. Ele nem se mexeu.
O homem dormindo profundamente em seu assento | Fonte: Midjourney
Cutuquei-o um pouco mais forte. “Você pode querer acordar; nós pousamos, e há uma mudança de portão.”
Dessa vez, ele murmurou algo ininteligível em seu sono e virou a cabeça para o outro lado, claramente não pronto para acordar. Imaginei que a comoção das pessoas saindo do avião acabaria por acordá-lo, e, além disso, eu tinha que chegar ao meu próximo portão.
Eu não podia me dar ao luxo de perder meu voo. Então, deixei-o lá, ainda dormindo profundamente, e saí correndo do avião.
A mulher se afastando do homem adormecido enquanto se dirige para a saída do avião | Fonte: Midjourney
O terminal estava lotado de pessoas, e eu tive que me esgueirar pela multidão para chegar ao meu novo portão. Quando cheguei lá, eles já estavam embarcando. Cheguei bem na hora, e quando me acomodei no meu assento, finalmente senti uma onda de alívio. Eu estava a caminho de San Diego, e pela primeira vez naquele dia, tive um momento para respirar.
A mulher está sentada na janela de um avião, sorrindo e aliviada por estar a caminho de seu destino final | Fonte: Midjourney|
Só quando cheguei em San Diego e me encontrei com meus colegas é que descobri a história completa. Enquanto conversávamos sobre nossos voos, uma das minhas colegas de trabalho, Lisa, mencionou que tinha visto alguém que parecia muito familiar.
A mulher com seus colegas, jantando em um café | Fonte: Midjourney
“Eu juro, tinha um cara no LAX que parecia ter acabado de acordar de um coma”, disse Lisa, rindo. “Ele estava saindo cambaleando do avião, parecendo completamente desorientado. Eu o ouvi discutindo com um agente do portão porque ele perdeu a conexão. Aparentemente, ele estava dormindo quando anunciaram a mudança do portão, e quando ele acordou, já era tarde demais.”
Lisa falando sobre o homem que viu no aeroporto | Fonte: Midjourney
Não pude deixar de sorrir. “Como ele era?”
Lisa o descreveu — um homem de 40 e poucos anos, vestindo uma camisa social levemente amassada, calças sociais e sapatos engraxados, com um relógio caro que ele ficava checando enquanto discutia com o agente do portão. Seu cabelo estava uma bagunça, e ele parecia ao mesmo tempo esfarrapado e furioso.
Não havia dúvidas em minha mente: era ele.
A mulher sorrindo ao perceber que sabia de quem seu colega estava falando | Fonte: Midjourney
“Ah, aquele cara!”, eu disse, incapaz de esconder a satisfação na minha voz. “É, ele estava sentado do meu lado. Você acredita que ele comeu minha refeição enquanto eu estava no banheiro e depois adormeceu? Eu tentei acordá-lo, mas ele não se mexeu.”
Os olhos de Lisa se arregalaram. “De jeito nenhum! Isso é karma em ação bem ali.”
Lisa gesticulando enquanto diz que o karma fez seu trabalho | Fonte: Midjourney
Não poderia concordar mais. Por mais que eu estivesse frustrado com toda a provação, havia algo profundamente satisfatório em saber que o carma havia interferido. Enquanto eu cheguei à minha reunião no horário, o Sr. Importante estava preso em Los Angeles, sentindo falta de suas conexões e provavelmente se arrependendo de sua decisão de se entregar às duas refeições.
Às vezes, o que vai realmente volta. E neste caso, o karma não deixou passar.
Se você gostou desta história, aqui está outra sobre um passageiro arrogante que perturbou a paz de um adolescente ao reclinar o assento bem na frente do rosto dele.
Leia a história completa aqui .
Este trabalho é inspirado em eventos e pessoas reais, mas foi ficcionalizado para fins criativos. Nomes, personagens e detalhes foram alterados para proteger a privacidade e melhorar a narrativa. Qualquer semelhança com pessoas reais, vivas ou mortas, ou eventos reais é mera coincidência e não intencional do autor.
O autor e a editora não fazem nenhuma reivindicação quanto à precisão dos eventos ou à representação dos personagens e não são responsáveis por nenhuma interpretação errônea. Esta história é fornecida “como está”, e quaisquer opiniões expressas são as dos personagens e não refletem as opiniões do autor ou da editora.
While My Friend Was on a Trip, I Discovered Her Husband Was Cheating and Plotting to Steal Her House, but She Turned on Me Instead — Story of the Day
When my best friend left town for a work trip, she asked me to watch her house. I agreed, not knowing I’d uncover her husband’s betrayal—and his secret plan to take everything from her. But when I told her the truth, she didn’t thank me. She accused me instead.
They said friends were the family you chose. I used to believe that with all my heart. Jessica had been my best friend since college, and even after all these years, we remained close.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
We’d laughed, cried, and shared almost everything. But my intuition had never screamed louder than the day I met Mark, Jessica’s husband. Something about him felt wrong.
Cold eyes with a warm smile. Like someone pretending to be kind but hiding something darker underneath. I didn’t like him then. And I liked him even less now.
One day, Jessica and I were sitting on her porch, like we had so many times before.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The air was soft with late spring heat, warm but not heavy, and her cat, Taco, sprawled on the sunlit tiles like royalty, one paw twitching in a dream.
Jessica stirred honey into her tea, slow and quiet. Then she looked up at me with that guilty little smile I knew all too well—the kind she wore when she wanted something but didn’t want to ask.
“I need a favor,” Jessica said. Her voice was soft, like she already knew I wouldn’t like what was coming.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms. “What kind of favor?”
She avoided my eyes. “I’m flying to New York next week. Big marketing pitch. I’ll be gone five days.”
I waited. She still hadn’t asked anything real.
“Could you check in on the house?” she added. “Feed Taco, water the plants, maybe bring in the mail. Just keep it from looking empty.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I raised an eyebrow. “And your husband? What’s he doing while you’re gone?”
She looked down at her tea. “He said it’s not really his thing.”
I blinked. “What’s not his thing?”ly
“Taking care of the house. Feeding the cat. He said it’s not a man’s job.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I scoffed and shook my head. “So, he can close real estate deals and wear cufflinks before noon, but a can of cat food is too much?”
Her jaw tightened. “Mark’s just not domestic. That’s just how he is.”
I leaned forward. “Jess, I love you. You know that. But you’re doing it again.”
She frowned. “Doing what?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“You’re making excuses for him. Again. He doesn’t do much, but you keep defending him. Why?”
Her voice got louder. “You’ve never liked him. From day one. You always look for reasons to hate him.”
“I had reasons, Jess. I still do. My gut said no the moment I met him.”
She pointed a finger at me. “You’re alone, Lee. And that’s not his fault.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I flinched. That one hit hard, but I kept my voice steady. “You think I’m jealous? You think I want your life?”
She stood up and crossed her arms. “You never gave him a chance. You decided you didn’t like him before you even heard him speak.”
Before I could answer, the sliding door opened behind her. Mark walked out like he owned the world. Crisp polo. Perfect hair. Phone in hand, thumbs tapping.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“What are we talking about?” he said. “Me again?”
“Just your refusal to feed the cat,” I said.
He gave that smug smile I hated. “I delegate where it makes sense. It’s called efficiency.”
I turned to Jessica. “He hasn’t looked up from that phone. Who’s he texting so much?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“It’s work,” she said. “He has a big client. Real estate.”
I stared at his screen. “Must be a very flirty deal.”
Jessica slammed her glass down. “Enough. If you’re going to keep insulting him, maybe you shouldn’t help.”
I sighed. “I said I’d do it, and I will. For you. Not for him.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mark looked up. “Try not to rearrange the furniture.”
I smiled. “Wouldn’t want to upset your kingdom.”
But I was already planning to keep my eyes open.
It was late afternoon when I pulled into Jessica’s driveway. The sky looked strange—dark clouds rolled in slow, and the air felt still, like it was waiting for something bad to happen.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I parked and walked up the steps. The back door key was warm in my hand. I unlocked it and stepped inside.
Taco was there right away, rubbing against my leg, purring loud like always. He had no idea what was going on.
I bent down and gave him a quick scratch behind the ears. “Hey, buddy,” I whispered. “Let’s get you some food.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
I filled his bowl and poured some water, then walked around the kitchen. I checked the plants in the window and the mail on the counter. Everything looked normal. Too normal. That’s when I heard it.
Laughter.
A man’s voice—Mark. And then a woman’s laugh followed.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I froze at the bottom of the stairs. My heart pounded. I moved slowly, quietly as I could. The bedroom door was open just a little. I stepped closer and peeked in.
Mark was on the bed. Half his shirt was unbuttoned. Next to him was a woman wearing Jessica’s robe, sipping from her favorite glass like she owned the place.
“I told you it would work,” Mark said. He raised his glass and took a sip. “She signed it without reading. Didn’t even ask questions. Just trusted me like always.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The woman laughed. “Are you sure this gives you the house?”
Mark leaned back against the pillows. “Yes. Once I get it notarized on Friday, it’s done. She thinks it’s just boring bank papers. Something about refinancing. I made it sound simple.”
The woman looked around the room. “What about all her stuff? Clothes? Books?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He waved his hand. “We’ll throw out what we don’t want. Maybe sell a few things. I already packed some boxes. The rest is trash. The cat’s going too.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Wow. She’s going to be crushed.”
Mark smirked. “She won’t be. We’ll be long gone before she knows. I’ve been looking at condos in Miami. Pool, gym, all that. This place will be listed by the time she gets back.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I felt sick. I couldn’t listen anymore. My foot hit the edge of the stairs. A soft creak.
Mark’s head turned. “Did you hear that?” he asked, voice sharp.
I didn’t wait. I ran. Down the stairs. Out the back door. Into my car. My hands shook as I grabbed my phone. I hit Jessica’s name.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Lee?” she answered. “What’s going on?”
“There’s a woman in your house. With Mark. I saw them. I heard everything. He tricked you into signing papers. He’s stealing your house.”
She didn’t answer right away.
Then she said, “You’re lying.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I’m not. Jess, please believe me—”
“You’ve always hated him. You’ve been waiting for a reason to tear us apart. You’re jealous. And now you’re making up stories.”
“No, I’m trying to help you. I’m trying to protect you.”
Her voice turned cold. “Don’t call me again.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Click. The line went dead.
Later that evening, my doorbell rang. I opened it. Mark stood there. Calm. Hands in his pockets.
“She told me everything,” he said. “About your little story.”
I didn’t blink. “I’m not afraid of you.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He stepped closer. “You should be. Keep pushing, and someone’s going to get hurt.”
I knew Jessica wouldn’t believe me unless she saw everything with her own eyes. Words wouldn’t be enough.
Not even tears would move her. Jessica was too in love with him. Too loyal. Too proud.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
She wouldn’t walk away without something solid. Proof she could touch. Proof she couldn’t explain away.
That’s why I did something I hated—something that felt cold and cruel, but also right.
I downloaded a fake call app. I set it up to look like the hospital was calling her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The message said I had been in a car accident. It said I was in the emergency room and not waking up.
I knew it was wrong to scare her like that, but it was the only thing that would pull her back fast.
And it worked.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Six hours later, there was a knock at my door. Jessica stood there, breathing hard. Her hair was messy. Her eyes were wide. She looked like she had run the whole way.
“Are you okay?” Jessica asked as she rushed inside. Her face was pale, and her breath came fast. She looked like she had been crying.
“I’m fine,” I said. “There was no accident. I’m not hurt. I made it up.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“You lied to me?” she shouted. Her voice shook. “What the hell, Lee? Why would you do that?”
“Because you wouldn’t listen,” I said. “You wouldn’t hear me. I had to bring you back. I needed you to see it for yourself.”
She stared at me, her eyes wide and full of pain. For a moment, I thought she might hit me. But then she took a deep breath and said, “Okay. Show me.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
We drove to her house. Neither of us spoke. The silence felt heavy.
When we reached her block, I parked a few houses down. We got out and walked slowly. At her window, we stopped and looked inside.
Mark was on the couch with the same woman. They were kissing like they didn’t have a care in the world.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Jessica didn’t speak. She took out her phone. Her hands shook, but she snapped photo after photo. Her jaw tightened.
“I want to go inside,” she said.
We walked to the door. It was unlocked.
Inside, everything was different. The scent of her favorite candle was gone.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The hallway was cold and quiet. Black trash bags lined the wall. Boxes were stacked on top of each other.
Sharp words written across them: “JUNK,” “DONATE,” “TRASH.” Her life was being packed away like it meant nothing.
Jessica’s voice cut through the air like a knife. “Mark!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He turned around fast, eyes wide. “Jessica? What the hell are you doing here?”
She stepped forward. Her voice was loud. Her hands were tight fists at her sides. “What am I doing here? Are you serious? You liar! You cheat! You’re throwing away my life like it’s trash!”
The woman on the couch jumped up. She grabbed her purse and started moving toward the door. “I’ll just—”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Sit down!” Jessica snapped. “I’m not finished.”
Mark raised both hands. “Jess, wait. This isn’t what it looks like.”
She laughed, but it sounded sharp and cold. “Not what it looks like? You’re kissing another woman in my house! She’s wearing my robe. Drinking from my glass. You tossed my things in garbage bags. And you’re telling her my house is yours now?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mark looked nervous. “You signed the papers. You didn’t even read them.”
“You tricked me,” Jessica said. Her voice was shaking now. “You told me it was for refinancing. You stood in front of me and lied.”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. They’re signed. It’s legal. It’s done. You just ruined everything.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Then he turned to me and pointed. “This is her fault. Lee. She’s been against me from the start. She poisoned your mind.”
Jessica took one step toward him. “No, Mark. You did this all by yourself. Lee told the truth. You think you can break me? You think you can take everything I own and leave me with nothing?”
She shook her head. “You’ll be left with nothing. Just your ego. And that won’t help you now.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mark’s face twisted. “You’ll regret this.”
“No,” Jessica said. Her voice was calm now. “You will.”
She pointed at the door. “Get out. Both of you. I don’t want to see either of you in this house again.”
The woman ran out first. She didn’t look back. Mark stood there a second longer.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
His jaw was tight. His fists clenched. Then he turned and walked out. He slammed the door behind him.
Jessica didn’t move. She didn’t cry. She didn’t scream. She just stood there. Still and quiet.
I looked at her. “You’re awfully calm.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She turned to me. “Because I already knew. I’ve felt it for a while. I knew he was cheating. I saw the strange paperwork. I just didn’t want to believe it. I needed proof.”
“You could’ve told me,” I said.
“I didn’t want it to feel fake,” she said. “I needed him to think I still trusted him. And I needed you to act normal. You did.”
I nodded. “So… you used me?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She shook her head. “No. I trusted you. Even when I acted like I didn’t. You stood by me.”
“I always will,” I said.
She gave me a small smile. Then she looked at the bags and boxes. “Let’s clean this up. I’ve got a life to rebuild.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: When I found out my husband and my best friend were having an affair, I thought nothing could hurt more. But then my own mother asked me to hand over my children to them — as if I didn’t matter at all. I was broken, but I knew one thing: I wouldn’t let them win.
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