My mind spiraled. Was Nick hiding a secret child? I checked his call history—there were several calls to an elementary school.The following Saturday, I pretended to be sick and followed him. He did go to the park, just like he said, and met up with Jake and Chris. But later, I saw a little girl run into one of the men’s arms—not Nick’s. Still, the phone calls nagged me.

That night, I confessed everything. Nick laughed and explained: Jake had borrowed his phone to call the school about his daughter. The school saved Nick’s number under “Dad’s Cell” by mistake.I was relieved—and embarrassed.Now, we joke about his “secret family,” and I’ve learned that sometimes, anxiety just needs a good run before it settles down.