I paid for my daughter-in-law’s expensive makeup artist courses so she could work and help the family. She finished them a month ago. And yesterday, a friend sent me a photo from a salon, and I was shocked when I saw who she was honing her skills on…

My son got married four years ago. I immediately liked my daughter-in-law. A quiet, well-mannered girl. They lived modestly, rented an apartment, and had just enough money for essentials. My daughter-in-law stayed at home, she didn’t have a job, nor much of an education.

A year ago, I suggested that she take some courses to get a profession. Something like a makeup artist, a hairdresser, anything really. So she could earn a living. She was excited about the idea. She chose makeup artist courses. Expensive, high-quality ones, with a diploma.

I paid for the training. It was a large sum. But I thought of it as an investment. My daughter-in-law would gain a profession, start working, and help my son. Things would become easier for them.

She studied for six months. After classes, she would come to me, show what they did, and tell stories. I was happy. I saw that she liked it and was striving forward.

She finished the courses two months ago and got her diploma. She started looking for a job. Within a week, she got hired at a beauty salon. A nice salon in the city center. I was proud of her.

In her first month of work, she came home tired but happy. She would talk about clients and colleagues. My son said she was pleased with her job. I was glad my money hadn’t gone to waste.

A month ago, I noticed my husband started staying late more often. He came home later than usual, saying it was due to work, business. I didn’t think much of it. Work is work.

Two weeks ago, he bought a new suit. An expensive one. I was surprised. I asked why. He said it was for an important event at work; he needed to look good. I nodded.

A week ago, I noticed he started shaving more often. Daily. He used to shave every other day. And he also started using cologne. He never used cologne before, but suddenly he bought and was using it.

Yesterday morning, he left for work as usual. He returned late in the evening. Said there was an event, a corporate gathering. He looked good. Fresh, well-groomed.

In the evening, a message came from my friend. She sent a photo. She wrote that she accidentally saw this in the salon today and decided to show it to me.

The photo was of my husband. He was sitting in a chair at the beauty salon. My daughter-in-law stood next to him, doing his makeup. They were both laughing. They were standing very close. She bent toward his face, holding a brush. He was looking at her. Not at himself in the mirror. At her.

I looked at the photo for a long time. My friend wrote that they seemed too comfortable with each other. That she was surprised when she saw it. She decided to take a photo and show it to me.

I called my husband and asked where he was during the day. He replied he was at work. I asked if he was at the beauty salon. He paused. Then admitted he had stopped by. My daughter-in-law had offered to do his makeup before the event. Free of charge. He agreed.

I asked why he needed makeup. He said the event was important, and he wanted to look good. That my daughter-in-law is a professional and offered to help. That there was nothing to it.

I asked why he didn’t tell me. He replied that he didn’t think about it. That it was nothing, not worth mentioning.

I looked at the photo again. They stood too close. Laughed too freely. His look was not as usual.

I called my son and asked if he knew that his wife was doing makeup on my husband. He was surprised. Said no, he didn’t know. That she hadn’t told him.

I called my daughter-in-law. Asked about the makeup. She responded calmly. Said yes, she did my husband’s makeup that day. That he came to the salon and asked to be tidied up before a big meeting. That she, as a relative, gave him a good discount. That everything was fine.

I asked how often he comes by. She hesitated. Then said this was the third time that month. That he was a good client. That he pays well even with the discount.

The third time that month. He went to her salon three times. Didn’t say a word to me. She did his makeup. Also silent. I paid for her education. I practically placed her in her job. And she quietly serves my husband.

Three days have passed. My husband says I’m exaggerating, that there was nothing special. My daughter-in-law is silent, avoiding me. My son is confused, unsure whose side to take. And I sit and think. I paid for her education. Invested money to help her and my son. And it turns out, I gave her a job where she quietly meets up with my husband. Three times in a month. And I found out about it by accident.

Tell me, am I paranoid? Or is there something to worry about when your daughter-in-law quietly does makeup for your husband, and both keep it a secret? And what do you do when you realize your help has turned against you?

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I paid for my daughter-in-law’s expensive makeup artist courses so she could work and help the family.
She finished them a month ago, and I truly believed I was doing the right thing.
But yesterday, a friend sent me a photo from a beauty salon, and I was shocked when I saw who she was honing her skills on…
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