Shocked to see my wife kneeling in front of the maid, and even giving me 30 thousand pesos to “cover up” the shocking secret

I looked through the half-open door and was shocked to see my wife kneeling in front of Ms. Marites. My wife looked like she was begging her, her mouth repeating the same sentence over and over again…

My wife and I have been married for less than a year. Just last month, my wife got pregnant. Because I felt sorry for her poor health and her hard work at home, I decided to hire a maid.

According to an acquaintance’s recommendation, I got to know Ms. Marites – a long-time maid, famous for being diligent, skillful, and especially good at taking care of children. Thinking that I would feel more secure if an acquaintance introduced me, I immediately hired her. She accepted the job that same day.

When Ms. Marites came to work at my house, my wife was still at her mother’s house in Quezon City and had not returned yet. I only texted her to let her know that I had found a maid. The next day, my wife returned home and greeted Marites without saying anything more. I think she was pleased, because she worked very neatly and diligently.

On the third day,

That night, the clock had just struck 12, the house was immersed in the dim yellow light from the living room. I woke up because of a strange feeling… the bed beside me was cold.

Where was my wife?

I got out of bed, my heart beating faster than usual. The whole house was so quiet that I could hear my own heartbeat. As I walked through the dark hallway, I saw a crack of light coming from the maid’s room on the ground floor. The door was ajar.

And then… my wife’s voice rang out, choked as if she was about to cry:

“Ate Marites… please… huwag mong sabihin sa kanya. Kung mahalo niya ito, mawawasak lahat. We’re happy now, magkasama kaming buo, and our baby’s coming… Please… I beg you.”

I stopped. I couldn’t breathe. A chill ran down my spine.

I bent down, my eyes glued to the crack of the door. The scene inside was like a knife piercing straight through my chest.

My wife — the woman I loved more than life itself — was kneeling on the floor, her hands clasped as if begging, her eyes red as she looked up at Marites. On the table next to them, a thick envelope was neatly placed.

Marites folded her arms, her face expressionless, her eyes cold as if she was weighing someone’s fate.

“Alam mo ba, Señora… the truth has a way of coming out. Hindi mo kayang takpan ito habang-buhay.”

My wife sobbed, her voice breaking:

“Kahit anong mangyari… I’ll pay. Just… let this die with us.”

I saw Marites slowly take the envelope, glance at it, then nod slowly, each word heavy as falling stones:

“Fine. But remember… I own your peace now.”

I was startled, and stepped back. My heart was pounding, my hands trembling as I clung to the wall.

Not daring to listen any longer, I turned and quickly walked up the stairs. Each step felt like stepping into a deep void.

In my mind, there was only the image of my wife kneeling, the envelope on the table, and Marites’ cold words.

I knew… from that moment, our happiness had a crack that could never be healed.