You’re not overreacting here at all. Joking around and having fun is one thing, but Lisa’s prank crossed a serious line. Jokes about infidelity and questions of paternity aren’t just “harmless” — they’re rooted in deeply emotional territory that can shake trust in a relationship, especially with your first child on the way. Your reaction makes total sense; she built up an intense, emotional scenario and kept pushing even when it was visibly distressing to you.
Given her talent for acting and her history of pranks, it’s understandable she might have thought this would be just another light-hearted joke, but the content and intensity made it inappropriate. Trust is fragile, and this particular prank would understandably impact your sense of security with her, making you question if she truly understands the boundaries between a harmless joke and a hurtful one.
Your need for space is a healthy response. You’re not punishing her or reacting impulsively — you’re taking a moment to process. Once you feel ready, talking with her about how this impacted you can help. You could explain that, while you love her sense of humor, some topics—like infidelity and trust in your relationship—are off-limits because of the potential harm they can cause. Remind her that with your first baby on the way, both of you need stability and trust more than ever.
Taking space doesn’t mean you’re abandoning her or failing to support her during pregnancy. In fact, it’s a mature choice to step back, process, and come back to the relationship when you’re ready to communicate constructively.
