My husband always left for work in his spotless SUV, but one day, I saw him switch into a rusty old car halfway through the day. I had a gut feeling something wasn’t right, so I followed him. What I discovered shattered everything I thought I knew about my marriage.
We all think we know our spouses, don’t we? The way they like their coffee, the side of the bed they prefer, even the way they hum off-key in the shower. After ten years of marriage, I thought I knew Henry inside and out. I knew his dreams, his quirks, and even the subtle shift in his voice when he tried to hide something small, like sneaking the last cookie.
On our wedding day, he had promised, “No secrets between us. Not even a headache.”
I had laughed, feeling lucky to have found someone so honest. But if I had known then what I would eventually uncover, I would’ve realized that promise was just as much a lie as the life he was living.
It started on an ordinary Tuesday a few months ago. I was folding laundry, matching up tiny superhero socks that belonged to our six-year-old son when my phone rang.
“Mrs. Diana? This is Jessica from Dr. Khan’s office. I’m calling to confirm your appointment for this afternoon.”
“That’s right. 2 p.m.” I said, balancing the phone between my ear and shoulder.
There was a pause, then Jessica added, “Dr. Khan mentioned there’s something specific about your husband she’d like to discuss. She said it’s important.”
I froze, my hands stilling on a half-folded shirt. “Something about Henry? What do you mean?”
“That’s all she said, Mrs. Diana. Will you still be coming in?”
Part of me wanted to cancel. The kids had a playdate after school, and I had a million things to do. But “about your husband” echoed in my mind, so I agreed to go.
That afternoon, I arrived at Dr. Khan’s office. It was as pristine as ever, all chrome and glass, filled with last month’s fashion magazines. I’d been going there for Botox for years, watching the signs of aging fade under her skilled hands. But today felt different. Instead of leading me into the treatment room, Dr. Khan invited me into her private office, gesturing to a plush chair across from her desk.
“Diana, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but… is everything alright? Are you and Henry having financial troubles?”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Financial troubles? No, not at all. Henry’s a top manager at my father’s company. We’re doing well. Why?”
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