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<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
My husband, Ethan, has been in the hospital for nearly a week now.
\nHe underwent surgery to repair an old ailment that had been plaguing him for years\u2014a hip problem that had now caught up with him.<\/p>\n
Normally, I visit Ethan in the mornings or afternoons when the kids are in school. But, on Friday, my father offered to take the kids for the night.<\/p>\n
It would be a great idea to surprise Ethan with an evening visit.<\/p>\n
When I entered his hospital room, he looked up from his phone and instantly froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d I said, smiling as I placed my luggage on the chair. \u201cYou weren\u2019t expecting me, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
He blinked many times and gave me a hesitant laugh. \u201cNo. I mean, uh, didn\u2019t you come earlier today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did. But I had some extra time, so here I am.\u201d I shrugged and sat down next to him. \u201cI miss you, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/istockphoto-1227554887-612x612-1-300x200.webp\")
\nFor illustrative purposes only.
\n\u201cSam\u2026\u201d he whispered, reaching for my hand but stopping halfway. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t\u2026 I mean, you must be exhausted. The kids \u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids are with Dad,\u201d I interjected, staring at his face. Something in his expression made my stomach turn. \u201cThey miss you so much, Ethan. Sarah cried again this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ethan smiled, but there was something\u2026
\nI am not sure, but he has a distracted expression in his eyes. As if his mind was working overtime on something else.<\/p>\n
We made some small conversation, and I peeled an apple for him, which is his favorite food. But the entire time, I couldn\u2019t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Ethan gave shorter answers than usual. He kept staring at the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cEthan,\u201d I extended his hand again, and this time he allowed me to take it. \u201cTalk to me. What\u2019s going on? Are you in pain? Should I call the nurse?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo!\u201d he said too quickly, then softened his tone. \u201cNo, I\u2019m fine. Really. Just\u2026 tired.\u201d<\/p>\n
But then, on my way to throw the apple peelings in the trashcan outside the ward, I came across Carla.<\/p>\n
Carla is one of Ethan\u2019s nurses. She\u2019s friendly, talkative, and the type of person who immediately puts you at ease.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot_7-5-201x300.webp\")
\nFor illustrative purposes only.
\nShe stepped into my path, gazing nervously down the corridor before lowering her tone. \u201cCan I talk to you for a second?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her gaze flashed to Ethan\u2019s room, and her voice dropped even lower.
\n\u201cListen, I don\u2019t want to alarm you, but\u2026 look under your husband\u2019s bed when you go back to the room.\u201d<\/p>\n
She turned and went away, leaving me standing there with a growing sense of dread in my stomach.<\/p>\n
What exactly was she talking about? Was there anything wrong with Ethan? Was there a secret I should have noticed?<\/p>\n
I took a big breath and returned to the room, attempting to appear normal.<\/p>\n
But my thoughts were racing. Carla\u2019s words rang through my head: \u201cLook under his bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
I quickly grabbed the apple I was peeling before and feigned to drop it.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when I noticed it. My heart has stopped.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/young-woman-fear-looking-under-2-300x225.webp\")
\nFor illustrative purposes only.
\nThere were eyes under the bed\u2026 peering at me.<\/p>\n
At first, I felt I was imagining things. But no.<\/p>\n
There was a woman huddled there, looking back at me like a deer caught in headlights.
\n\u201cWhat the \u2014\u201d I shot to my feet. \u201cWho the hell are you? What are you doing under my husband\u2019s bed?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you dare \u2018wait\u2019 me! After everything we\u2019ve been through? After ten years of being together?\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman scrambled from behind the bed, her face as red as a firetruck. She appeared humiliated.<\/p>\n
\u201cSamantha, stop. It\u2019s not what you think.\u201d<\/p>\n
I yelled and backed away from both of them. \u201cHow long has this been going on? Is this why you\u2019ve been acting so strange, Ethan?\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman hesitated, then mumbled, \u201cI\u2019m a wedding planner.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot_1-22-300x210.webp\")
\nFor illustrative purposes only.
\n\u201cEthan hired me to help organize a surprise wedding. For you.\u201d
\nI wasn\u2019t sure whether to laugh or cry. The rage I\u2019d felt moments before had dissolved into something softer, making my chest ache.<\/p>\n
Then, slowly, I started laughing, tears flowing down my cheeks.<\/p>\n
The wedding planner, Jessica, whispered another sorry before departing the room, leaving the two of us alone.<\/p>\n
As the door closed, Ethan reached for my hand. \u201cSo\u2026 what do you think? Still mad at me?\u201d<\/p>\n
He pulled me close, and I could feel his tears dampening my shoulder. \u201cI love you,\u201d he whispered. \u201cEven after ten years, I fall more in love with you every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot_2-20-300x198.webp\")
\nFor illustrative purposes only.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My husband, Ethan, has been in the hospital for nearly a week now. He underwent surgery to repair an old ailment that had been plaguing him for… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21258,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n