The Day My Husband Promised Another Woman Forever

Kyson said he loved me, but then he disappeared for 12 hours on my birthday. He was busy taking his assistant, who had attempted suicide, to the hospital. I pleaded with him to stay, to not leave for another woman. He said he couldn’t make that promise. Later, when I was about to leave him for Bjorn, Kyson’s eyes flashed with anger. “Don’t hold his hand. That will drive me insane.” I smirked and shook my head, “I can’t make that promise.”

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It was my birthday, and a light rain was falling outside the window. I cleaned the room, changed the flowers in the vase, put on a new dress, prepared an extravagant dinner, set the music, and looked toward the door, waiting for my husband, Kyson, to come home. For ten years, ever since I was eighteen, Kyson had celebrated my birthday with me without fail. Even during important negotiations, he’d have his assistant reschedule to be with me.

But tonight, he didn’t come home. I couldn't even reach him by phone. I started to feel anxious. Kyson had always assured me that celebrating my birthday together was a promise he'd never break. By eight in the evening, there was still no sign of him. Nervously, I decided to call him. Until this year, I could call him anytime. But as his business boomed, he got busier and asked me not to call before nine. “In case I’m at a dinner meeting,” he'd say, after pulling me close, fingers entwined in my hair. I’d agreed.

My friends said Kyson’s behavior felt off and urged me to check on him, but I trusted him completely. I kept calling, but Kyson wouldn’t answer. I reheated the food, waited another thirty minutes, and called again. Still no answer. An hour later, I tried once more. Nothing.

Feeling increasingly anxious, I messaged him on WhatsApp, “What’s going on? Are you okay? Should I call the police...” His response came instantly, “Don’t worry, I’m dealing with something. Don’t call the police.” It felt strange to me. He could answer a message right away but not take my call? I asked, “When will you be home? I’m waiting to have cake with you.” He didn’t reply.

My friends’ cautionary words echoed in my mind, “A man can always find time to answer his wife’s call unless he chooses not to.” I bit my lip. I’d always believed that whatever happened, Kyson wouldn’t deceive me. He knew he was the only family I had. I couldn’t bear a betrayal from him. I waited in the living room all night. He returned in the morning, after twelve hours.

He looked exhausted, didn’t offer an explanation, and just fell into bed. His clothes had a faint scent of blood and hospital disinfectant. I felt scared. He’d been so busy this past year that he no longer shared every detail with me. I worried he might be sick and hiding it. I wanted to ask him, but he was fast asleep. I decided to wash his clothes first.

As I emptied his pockets, a hospital admission slip fell out. It was for Jolie Montgomery, dated yesterday evening, from the trauma department. My heart sank. Jolie was Kyson’s assistant. This year, even meeting him at his company required going through her. I recalled an occasion when Kyson and I had dinner plans, but a call from Jolie reminded him of a meeting, and he rushed back to the office. I didn’t feel strongly about Jolie, just that she seemed like a recent college graduate. I couldn’t imagine what kind of injury required him to stay at the hospital all night.

I sat in the living room, biting my lip, my mind blank. I tried to think rationally, hoping for the best, but unease gnawed at me. I remembered a past Thanksgiving; Kyson and I had planned to see a movie, and Jolie had accidentally bought tickets for the same showing. As the movie ended, Jolie looked at me and said, “Kalani, I envy your spot.”

Feeling restless, I scrolled through my phone aimlessly until a short video caught my eye. It showed a tall, handsome man rushing around an emergency room, paying bills, holding the hand of a girl being wheeled into the emergency room. His eyes were red, “Nina, you’ll be okay, I’m here.” The person who filmed it added in the comments, “Saw this at the ER. Couple had a fight, the girl got hurt, and the guy was crying. Seems they’re deeply in love, hope they make up soon...”