One Night After Dance Class, My Daughter Announced She Was Getting a New Mom Who Was Her Coach — Story of the Day #5

I sacrificed my dream for my daughter. Ever since I was a little girl, I had dreamed of becoming a professional ballroom dancer. I loved the music, the graceful moves, the sparkle of the costumes.

Dancing made me feel alive, like I could fly. For a while, it seemed like I was on my way.

I danced in small competitions and worked hard to improve. Even after I married Ron, I kept going to the studio, holding on to my dream.

We had not planned to have a child so soon, but life surprised us. I found out I was pregnant, and everything changed overnight.

My priorities shifted. I stopped dancing, thinking it would only be for a while. But once Riley was born, it became clear that I could not return. The time, the energy, the chances — they were all gone. I was a mom now.

Still, I never once regretted it. Riley was the best thing that ever happened to me. Her little hands, her big eyes, the way she said “Mommy” — she made my heart full in ways dancing never could.

I loved her more than I thought it was possible to love another human being.

But a dream, even if put aside, still lives inside you. And deep down, I hoped Riley would one day love dancing too.

That is why, when she came to me and said she wanted to take dance lessons after Ron showed her videos of my performances, I almost cried. I signed her up that very day. The following week, she started.

But soon after, I noticed Ron was acting differently. He was distant, always working late, and quiet when he came home.

One evening, I could not hold it in any longer. I looked at Ron across the kitchen table and asked, “Are you against Riley dancing?”

He looked surprised. “No. Why would you think that?”

“You have been acting different. You come home late. You don’t talk to me like before. You seem far away.”

He let out a breath. “Natalie, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“But there is,” I said. “You never tell me what you do at work anymore. You eat dinner in silence. You avoid eye contact.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I’ve just been busy. That’s all.”

“I know you never liked dancing,” I said. “You never danced with me. Not even at our wedding. Not at parties. I always let it go. But maybe now it’s bothering you. Maybe you don’t want Riley to dance either.”

He shook his head. “That’s not true. I like seeing her happy. I see her smile when she comes home from practice.”

“Then what’s wrong?” I asked. “Please, just tell me.”

He paused. “Nothing is wrong. You’re just thinking too much. Soon I won’t be working so late.”

He got up, came over, and hugged me. He stroked my head like he used to. I closed my eyes. But in my chest, something still felt off. Something was not right.

After that talk, things did seem to get better. Ron started coming home earlier.

He didn’t stay as late at work, and he talked more when he got home. He told me little things again — what he ate for lunch, who said something funny at work, how traffic was awful. I started to breathe easier.

I thought maybe I had just overreacted. Maybe he had really been working hard and just needed some space. I wanted to believe that. I really did.

Then one afternoon, I picked up his phone to look up a recipe. Mine had died, and I was in a hurry.

As I typed, a list of recent transactions popped up. Strange payments. No names. No stores.

Just amounts and a payment code. I froze. Ron always told me when he bought something. Always.

He was the type to call and ask if I wanted something when he was at the store. So what were these?

I stared at the screen. Then I remembered our anniversary was coming up. Maybe he was planning something. A trip? A surprise gift? That would explain the secret payments.

I wanted to believe that, so the next morning, after he left for work, I decided to look for a gift. I know I should not have. It was sneaky. But I could not help it.

I went into his office first. I looked through drawers, behind books, under papers. Nothing.

Then I opened our bedroom closet. Everything was folded, like always. But one shirt was lying in the corner.

I picked it up. Glitter. Pink, sparkly glitter. The kind that sticks to your skin. The kind used in body makeup.

I don’t own anything like that. I stood there, holding that shirt, and one thought hit me hard: Where the hell had he been?

I grabbed my phone and texted him: As soon as you get home, we are having a serious talk.

I left the shirt on the bed. I could not bear to touch it again. Then I drove to pick up Riley from kindergarten. I tried to stay calm, but my hands shook on the steering wheel. Riley’s voice brought me back.

She climbed into the car with a big smile and started telling me about her day. She showed me her drawings — scribbles of houses and hearts and stick people.

She told me how Olivia didn’t want to share her crayons and how Mason cried because someone took his snack. Kindergarten drama.

A whole world of tiny people with big emotions. I nodded and smiled where I could, but my mind was still spinning.

When we got home, Riley asked, “Do I have dance class today?”

I hesitated. “I’m not sure if Dad will be able to take you.”

Her face fell. “But why? I really want to go!”

I looked at her. My sweet girl. Her eyes wide with hope. I could not let her down.

I texted Ron again: Forget it. We will talk after you and Riley come back from dance.

When Ron arrived, I didn’t say a word. I could not even look at him. I handed him Riley’s dance bag and turned away. He didn’t ask anything. Just took her and left.

As soon as the door closed, I started pacing. Around the kitchen. Into the living room. Back down the hallway.

I thought about what I would do if it was true. If he was cheating. I had already made up my mind. I would not stay. Not for Riley. Not for anyone.

I sat down on the couch and stared at our family photos. Our wedding. Riley’s first birthday. Christmas in matching pajamas.

It hurt to look at them. I had trusted Ron. I had loved him with everything I had. And now, I felt like it was all falling apart.

Just as I was about to fall apart, the doorbell rang. My heart jumped. I thought Ron and Riley were back. But Ron had a key. Why would he ring the doorbell?

I opened the door. Jessica stood there, holding Riley’s hand. Jessica was the mom of one of the girls from the dance class. Riley smiled up at me like nothing was wrong.

“Hi,” I said. “Why are you bringing Riley home? Where’s Ron?”

Jessica smiled. “Ron said he had something important to take care of. He asked me to drop her off. It wasn’t a problem.”

I reached for Riley’s hand and nodded. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” she said and walked back to her car.

I closed the door and picked up my phone. I called Ron. No answer. I called again. Still nothing. I tried one more time. He didn’t pick up.

“Who are you calling?” Riley asked.

“Your dad,” I said.

“Why? Because I’ll have a new mom now?”

I froze. “What did you say?”

She looked at me and said, “Coach Stacy will be my new mom.”

“Who told you that?” I asked.

“No one. But Dad spends a lot of time with her. They hug sometimes.”

“You saw them hug?” I asked, trying to stay calm.

She nodded. “Yeah. I like Coach Stacy. But I still want you to be my mom too.”

My chest felt tight. It was too much. Not only had he cheated — he did it where our daughter could see.

“Riley, go pack your toys. We’re going to Grandma’s.”

“Okay,” she said. Then she looked at me. “Don’t tell Dad I said that. He told me it was a secret.”

“I won’t say anything, sweetie,” I whispered. “I promise.”

I took Riley to my parents’ house. I told them she would sleep over. Then I got in the car and drove straight to the dance studio.

I did not care what time it was. I was shaking. My heart was beating too fast. I was angry, hurt, and confused all at once.

I stormed into the studio. I saw Ron and Stacy right away. They were standing very close to each other.

They were not touching, but there was something between them. A feeling. I could see it. I could feel it.

“Why is our daughter saying she will have a new mom?! Her coach!” I shouted.

Stacy looked shocked. “What?!”

“If you are cheating,” I shouted at Ron, “you could at least have the decency not to do it in front of our child!”

“Natalie,” Stacy said, “I think you do not really understand what is going on here.”

“No one asked you… you… you…” I could not find the words. I forgot every insult I wanted to say.

“Natalie, I am not cheating on you,” Ron said. “I would never do that.”

“Then how do you explain the unknown expenses?” I shouted. “Your constant lateness? The glitter-covered shirt? And our daughter says she saw you hugging Coach Stacy!”

Ron rubbed his forehead. “Riley must have misunderstood everything.”

“Misunderstood?!” I said. “Children say what they see! And she thinks she is getting a new mom!”

“I do not want to be part of this,” Stacy said. She turned and started walking out of the studio.

“But you wanted to sleep with my husband?!” I shouted after her.

“No one slept with anyone!” Ron shouted suddenly. “I asked Stacy to teach me to dance. I was taking lessons for you. To surprise you on our anniversary.”

“What?” I said. It felt like lightning had struck me.

“Yes,” Ron said. “I do not like dancing. I never learned how. But I know how important it is to you. And you are important to me. So I wanted to learn.”

“Then why did you not say anything?” I asked.

“Because it was supposed to be a surprise!” he shouted.

“Oh God,” I said. “I am such an idiot. Forgive me. And you too, Stacy. I did not mean to shout like that.”

Stacy nodded. “It happens. But I think you need to find another coach for Riley.”

“But you are the best,” I said.

“I do not want rumors or scandals in my group,” Stacy said.

“We are sorry,” Ron said. He took my hand and led me outside.

“I am sorry,” I said, crying. “I am just an idiot. I do not know how I could have doubted you.”

“It is okay,” Ron said. “But I think we need to talk this through.”

I nodded. I saw he was angry. I thought he would leave. But he came closer and hugged me. I broke into tears.

“I need you to trust me,” he whispered. I nodded again.