Ethan’s life changed in one terrifying night.
He had always believed his marriage was perfect. For eight years, he and Isabel had built a life together that seemed unshakable. They had a lovely home, quiet mornings, and evenings filled with laughter. Ethan worked hard, determined to give Isabel comfort and stability.
To him, Isabel was not just a wife—she was his best friend. They shared dreams, whispered plans for the future, and laughed until their sides hurt. Ethan thought that was enough.
One evening, sitting together on the porch as the sun painted the sky orange, Ethan sighed in happiness.
“We really do have a great life, don’t we?” he asked with a proud smile.
Isabel smiled back, but there was a flicker in her eyes, something he couldn’t quite place.
“Yeah, Ethan, it’s wonderful,” she said softly.
He brushed it off, thinking she was tired. After all, no marriage was perfect. But deep inside, something had already started breaking. He just didn’t see it.
The call came on a business trip, about forty miles from home. Ethan was driving when his phone buzzed. A strange number flashed on the screen, and for some reason, his gut told him to answer.
“Hello?” he said.
“Is this Ethan?” a woman’s voice asked.
“Yes, who’s calling?”
“This is Nurse Karen from the local hospital. Your wife, Isabel, is in the ER. She’s unconscious.”
The words slammed into him like a punch.
“What? What happened? Is she okay?”
“I don’t have all the details, but you need to come right away.”
Panic surged through him. His hands shook on the steering wheel. Without thinking, he pulled the car around, slamming on the gas, his heart racing.
“Please be okay, Isabel,” he whispered, tears stinging his eyes. The highway blurred, his thoughts jumping from accident to illness to unthinkable loss.
Every mile was torture.
When Ethan finally reached the hospital, he rushed through the sliding doors, his chest heaving.
“My wife—Isabel Williams,” he gasped at the nurse’s station. “Where is she?”
The nurse looked at him strangely. “That’s odd. I thought her husband already brought her in. He’s with her now.”
Ethan froze.
“What? I’m her husband,” he snapped, his voice rising in panic.
The nurse pointed. “Room 12.”
His pulse thundered in his ears as he sprinted down the hall. He pushed open the door—and froze.
There was a man sitting by Isabel’s bed, gently holding her hand.
Ethan’s voice cracked with anger. “Who are you?”
The man looked up calmly. “I’m Logan. Her… lover. We’ve been seeing each other for a year. She and I were in the accident. I brought her here.”
Ethan’s stomach dropped. His hands curled into fists. He wanted to punch him, to scream, but he forced himself to stay still.
“You’re her what?”
“Her lover,” Logan repeated. His voice was steady, almost respectful. “But listen, Ethan… she does love you. She just felt neglected. She missed you, missed your attention.”
The words burned through Ethan like fire. Neglected? He had been working every day, breaking his back to give Isabel everything. How could she say she was neglected?
Logan continued, his eyes sincere.
“She talked about you all the time. She said she missed how things used to be. But she didn’t know how to tell you. She felt you were drifting apart.”
Ethan’s throat tightened. “Why didn’t she just talk to me?” he muttered, almost to himself.
“Maybe she was scared,” Logan said softly. “Maybe she thought you wouldn’t listen. I don’t know. But right now, she needs you.”
Ethan stared at Isabel, pale and unconscious on the bed. His heart cracked. How had he missed her unhappiness? He thought hard work was love, but maybe she had needed more than that.
Logan leaned back. “She wanted affection, Ethan. That’s why she turned to me.”
The words cut like knives.
“I love her,” Ethan whispered, his voice breaking. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was enough.”
Logan nodded slowly. “You were doing what you thought was best. But she needed your heart, not just your hard work.”
For a long moment, silence hung in the air. Then Logan admitted, “I told the nurse I was her husband when I brought her in. I just didn’t want to complicate things. I’m sorry for the confusion.”
Ethan closed his eyes, trying to control his emotions. After a long pause, he said, “Thank you for bringing her here. But whatever happens next… Isabel and I have to face it.”
Logan stood. He looked at Ethan, then at Isabel. “I understand. I’ll step back. She needs you more than me right now.”
Just then, Isabel’s eyes fluttered open.
“Ethan…” she whispered, her lips curling into the faintest smile. Relief flooded through him. He rushed to her side, taking her hand.
“I’m here, Isabel. I’m right here.”
Her gaze shifted to Logan. Confusion clouded her face.
“Who… who are you?” she asked weakly.
Logan forced a gentle smile. “I’m your husband’s work colleague,” he lied, his voice calm. Then he leaned close to Ethan and whispered, “Make her happy.”
Ethan gave a small nod. Logan left quietly, not looking back.
His words echoed in Ethan’s mind—Make her happy.
When Isabel turned her tired eyes back to him, Ethan brushed her hair gently from her face.
“How are you feeling?” he asked softly.
“A little dizzy,” she admitted. “What happened?”
Ethan kissed her hand and whispered, “Don’t worry about that right now. Just rest. I’m here with you.”
She closed her eyes again, holding onto his hand as if she didn’t want to let go. Ethan sat there silently, his chest aching with guilt and love.
He had been given a brutal truth, but also—maybe—a second chance.
And he silently promised himself: this time, he wouldn’t waste it.