Lisa Thompson had always been the kind of woman who could handle anything life threw at her. She worked as an accountant in one of the most prestigious firms in Santa Clara, California. Even with her demanding 9-to-5 job, she managed to keep her house in perfect order. She’d wake up at 5 a.m. sharp, make breakfast for her husband, Chad, and herself, get to work on time, and still return home in the evening to prepare dinner.
Chad had been supportive of her, often helping out with household chores. But everything changed after Lisa gave birth to their twins, Lucas and Charlie.
For three years, Chad and Lisa had tried to have a baby. The day the pregnancy test showed two pink lines, they were over the moon with joy. When Lisa gave birth to two beautiful baby boys, she felt like her life was finally complete. Wanting to give her children all the attention they deserved, she decided to take a break from work and embrace the role of a stay-at-home mom.
But while Lisa saw this as a precious time to bond with her children, Chad saw it as something else entirely.
“You’re just lounging around all day, Lisa. At least start working out! Look at how much weight you’ve gained since the pregnancy! Losing a few pounds wouldn’t hurt you!” he would often mock her.
At first, Lisa brushed it off. She thought Chad was just stressed from work. But as time went on, she realized he was growing distant—not just from her but from their marriage. He stopped appreciating the little things she did, refused to help around the house, and every time she asked if they could spend time together, he would ignore her and go to bed.
One evening, Lisa finally decided to confront him.
“Honey, I know work has been stressful, but we’ve always promised to be honest with each other,” she said gently. “Lately, I feel like you’re avoiding me.”
Chad barely looked up from his laptop. “Nothing like that, Lisa. It’s all good.”
“Are you sure? Because I’ve noticed—”
“Noticed what, Lisa?” he snapped, his voice rising. “Can you just let me work in peace? Stop poking your nose into everything! Maybe use your energy for something productive—like looking at yourself in the mirror! When was the last time you actually tried to take care of yourself?”
Lisa felt tears sting her eyes. “Chad…”
“Oh, come on, Lisa! What? Are you going to cry now and make me look like the villain? Fine! Go ahead! But answer me this—are you letting yourself go on purpose? Are you trying to push me away?” He stood up, glaring at her. “Are you seeing someone else? Where do you go so early in the morning and come back only after I’ve woken up?”
Lisa gasped. “You think I’m cheating on you?”
“How would I know? You don’t work, you don’t contribute, and you don’t even try to look good anymore! We could afford a babysitter, but no—you just want to stay home and stuff your face all day! Fine, do what you want!” With that, he stormed off, leaving Lisa speechless.
That night, while Chad was working in his study, he heard a loud thud. He rushed out, thinking the twins had fallen, but his heart dropped when he saw Lisa collapsed on the floor.
“Lisa! Lisa, wake up!” He shook her, but she didn’t respond. Panicked, he called 911 and carried her to the car, rushing her to the hospital.
He left the twins with their neighbor, Mrs. Clemments, and spent the night at the hospital. The doctor informed him that Lisa had collapsed due to extreme stress and exhaustion.
Chad sank into a chair, running his hands over his face. “Exhaustion? But she’s been resting at home all this time… hasn’t she?” he muttered.
Back at home, unable to sleep, he sat on the bed when a small book slipped off the blanket. Lisa’s personal diary.
For a moment, he hesitated. Reading someone else’s diary was wrong. But his curiosity got the best of him.
The first page was a heartfelt entry about their twins’ birth:
Hi there, PD!
It’s me, Lisa! What better day to start writing than today? I’M FINALLY A MOM! I can’t describe the joy I felt holding my babies. I just hope I can be a good mother. And Chad… oh, he was so emotional. I know he’ll be the best dad ever! But I’ll love my babies so much they’ll take their mama’s side, haha!
Chad smiled as he flipped through the pages. Lisa had documented every moment with the twins, from their first giggle to their late-night feedings. But then he turned to an entry that wiped the smile off his face:
Hi PD…
I don’t know what’s happening, but Chad feels distant. He plays with the babies, but when it comes to me… it’s like I don’t exist. Maybe it’s work stress? I hope things get better soon…
Page after page, Chad read about Lisa’s pain, her self-doubt, her loneliness. And then, the entry that hit him like a punch to the gut:
Hi PD…
Chad mocked me today. He said I look fat. He didn’t even let me explain. I don’t even recognize him anymore… Did I do something wrong?
Tears blurred Chad’s vision as he turned to the last entry:
I found a gym that promises fast results! Chad doesn’t notice how hard I’ve been trying, but I’ll prove it to him. The diet is tough, the supplements make me sick, but I have to do this. I have to get my husband back…
Chad felt like the worst husband in the world. Lisa had been pushing herself to the breaking point just to please him, and he had done nothing but tear her down.
The next morning, he walked into Lisa’s hospital room with a bouquet of her favorite flowers and a handwritten card:
Get well soon, honey. The kids and I miss you. Home isn’t home without you.
Lisa’s eyes welled up as she read it. “Chad… I…”
“You don’t have to say anything,” he interrupted, taking her hand. “I’ve been a jerk. I was blind to everything you were going through. I’m so sorry, Lisa. I love you just the way you are. I’ll never make you feel like this again.”
Lisa’s lips trembled. “Oh, Chad…”
“I mean it, Lisa. I’ll be better. I promise.”
When Lisa came home, she was surprised to see a candlelit dinner waiting for her. Soft music played in the background, and Chad pulled out a chair for her.
Later that evening, he knelt before her and held out his hand. “Mrs. Lisa Thompson, may I have this dance?”
Tears filled Lisa’s eyes as she nodded. As they swayed to the music, she whispered, “I missed you, Chad.”
“I missed you too, Lisa. And I’ll never take you for granted again.”
From that day on, Chad changed completely. He helped Lisa with the twins, took her on weekend movie dates, and most importantly, he reminded her every day:
“I love you for who you are, Lisa. Always.”
Lisa still goes to the gym, but this time, she’s doing it for herself—not to win back love that was always hers to begin with.
