On Valentine’s Day, Cora woke up feeling unexpectedly hopeful. Despite recent challenges in her marriage, she was filled with a quiet determination to reconnect. She spent the morning preparing a thoughtful surprise for her husband, Eric. The dining table was beautifully set with a homemade dinner, glowing candles, and a small wrapped gift beside his plate. She wore a red dress he had once given her—a symbol of cherished memories and better days.
Cora and Eric had met at a business conference in Texas. Both raised in foster care, they found comfort in their shared past and dreams for the future. Marriage came quickly, followed by the arrival of triplets. Life, once full of promise, became overwhelming. Eric worked long hours to support the family, while Cora stayed home caring for the children. Over time, the stress of daily life built a quiet distance between them.
That evening, when Eric walked in and saw the decorated room, he didn’t react the way she’d hoped. “What is this?” he said with a tired sigh. Cora tried to keep the mood light, guiding him to the table and highlighting his favorite dessert. But his weariness spilled over into frustration. He voiced his stress about work, the house, and everything in between.
Trying to de-escalate, Cora said gently, “Let’s not argue tonight. The kids are asleep.” She needed to run a quick errand—they were out of diapers. “Stay with them. I’ll be back soon,” she said, grabbing her keys.
An hour passed. Then the doorbell rang.
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