Two days before Christmas, my husband Shawn told me he had to leave for an unexpected work trip. He mentioned a last-minute client emergency in Boston and assured me he’d be back as soon as he could. I tried to stay supportive, even though the idea of spending Christmas without him left me feeling disheartened. Still, I helped him pack and gave him a hug goodbye, trusting his words.
But something felt off. His voice was calm, too calm—and his eyes didn’t quite meet mine when he promised to make it up to me.
On Christmas Eve, the house was quiet. I tried to keep busy baking cookies and wrapping gifts. That night, Shawn called, but the sound of laughter and clinking dishes in the background raised a red flag. When I asked where he was, he quickly said, “Emergency meeting,” and ended the call.
That’s when I remembered something strange—our fitness tracker app was still synced to his car. I opened it, expecting to see him in Boston.
He wasn’t. His car was parked at a hotel just 15 minutes away.
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