Julia was thrilled to surprise her husband Michael on his birthday, but everything changed when she overheard an unfamiliar voice. Hidden in the living room, her heart raced as she heard her husband laughing with another woman. She watched them head towards the bedroom she shared with Michael. Julia was on the brink of discovering a heart-wrenching betrayal.
Standing in our inviting living room, I gazed at the photos of Michael and me from our adventures.
We met in college, united by our love of exploration, which led to a whirlwind romance and a joyful marriage filled with laughter and memories.
Each picture in our living room chronicled stories, from hiking in the Rockies to exploring Greece’s ancient ruins. Every moment with Michael had been an adventure.
Today, I was preparing a surprise birthday party for him. He believed I was away on a business trip, but that was part of the surprise. I wanted everything to be perfect, so I pretended to leave town.
“Bye, baby! Have a nice trip!” Michael said, kissing me goodbye.
I walked out the door with my suitcase in hand but didn’t go far.
I drove to my friend Linda’s house, parked there, and then walked back to our neighborhood.
Waiting near a neighbor’s house, I checked my watch as it was almost time for Michael to leave for his meeting.
He had an important work presentation that would keep him busy until late afternoon, giving me ample time to prepare everything.
As soon as his car left the driveway, I sprang into action.
I slipped in through the back door, careful not to be noticed.