I Was Planning Our First Anniversary Surprise When Some ‘Baby’ Texted My Husband – Story of the Day
For our first anniversary, I had everything planned out. A romantic dinner at the restaurant where we first met was the ideal surprise. However, as I was getting ready, my husband’s phone rang and had a message from “Baby.” What did he have to conceal from me?
I often reflected on how fortunate I was to have a spouse. We had been dating for five years, but it had just been a year, and I had always worried that marriage would alter who we were. Rather, it strengthened our bond.
It felt ideal, and we loved and cared more. I had a true family for the very first time. My mom was more concerned with her life than mine, and my dad had left when I was a little child.
After her wedding, my sister and I were estranged and haven’t spoken since. Adam gave me a sense of belonging that I had never experienced before.
I was preparing a surprise at the moment because our first wedding anniversary was coming up.
Six years after our first date, we went to the same restaurant for a romantic meal. I wanted to celebrate our progress together and make it extra special.
But as the days went by, my husband started acting differently. Adam became aloof, began to leave the room to answer calls, and his phone was never far from him.
I initially attempted to ignore it, but the concealment felt like an increasing burden. We had always had an open relationship. Why was he behaving that way?
After receiving yet another odd phone call one evening, I finally lost it.
“What’s going on?” I inquired when Adam came back.
“What do you mean?”
“Are you unfaithful to me?” Before I could stop myself, I blurted out.
“What makes you believe that?”
I listed everything: the distance, the phone, and the secrecy. “A change has occurred.”
“Well, it seems like you’re concealing something as well.”
I was taken aback. “I have a surprise planned!”
He mumbled, obviously irritated, “Yeah, well, you’re not the only one who knows how to do surprises,” and left the room.
Stunned, I stood there. Was he upset with me because I had exposed him? Did I overreact?
He returned a little while later and apologized.
He said, “Let’s put this out of our minds.”
I tried to grin as I nodded, but my uneasiness was growing on the inside. I had the uneasy feeling that I was going to learn something I wasn’t prepared to hear, that something wasn’t quite right.
I was meticulously wrapping Adam’s gift the day before our anniversary when I heard the front door open. As I hastily tucked the partially wrapped gift beneath the couch, my heart skipped a beat.
Adam was at home.
I could hear him enter the bedroom.
He threw his luggage on the bed and yelled, “Hey, babe.” “How have you found the day?”
“Well done.”
Adam placed his phone on the nightstand, where it was easily visible. Never had he done that. Like it was glued to his hand, his phone was never far from him.
Without further comment, he picked up his towel and disappeared into the restroom. My hands were shaking as I stood there. It didn’t feel quite right. I told myself to trust him and not to look.
However, the name “Baby” then showed up on the screen.
I got the message:
I take it you’ll be here tomorrow? You made a pledge.
“No, no, no.” I muttered something beneath my breath.
Is this a real thing? Was Adam unfaithful to me? Was it all a lie, all I had believed?
While attempting to calm my breathing, I hastily pushed the phone back onto the nightstand. I was at a loss for what to do.
I snatched up the present and hurriedly wrapped it, forcing the image of “Baby” from my mind—at least for the moment.
Adam didn’t appear to notice my agitation as he emerged from the restroom. I hardly reacted as he planted a kiss on my cheek.
I mumbled, “I feel a little worn out tonight.” “I think I’ll make the call early.”
Adam’s eyebrows went up. “Are you alright? You look a little strange.
“I’m just… I’m not sure. Perhaps I simply need some time to reflect.
“All right. Well, if you need me, I’ll be here.
Our first wedding anniversary came the next morning. Adam didn’t say anything and departed early. To find out what my husband was actually up to, I made the decision to follow him around.
I quickly got my keys and followed him out of the house. He did not go to the office as he usually did.
He chose a different path instead, coming to a stop in front of a house I didn’t recognize. With a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching, he exited the vehicle.
My gaze never left him as I parked a few blocks away. He walked to his car’s trunk and took out a few shopping bags.
Then it took place. I never saw the person who came out when the door opened. It was a woman, too familiar to me. Adam returned her smile with a smile of his own.
They gave each other hugs. It was more than a fleeting embrace. It was a long, cozy hug that made it seem as though they had been missing one another.
As I sank back in my seat, tears filled my eyes. I was having trouble breathing. She was standing there with my husband, the man I believed to be my acquaintance.
For what seemed like hours, I sat in the car trying to take it all in.
Why? Why her? And why, of all days, on our anniversary?
At least now I know, I thought. I was happy to know the truth, even though it was more agonizing than I could have ever imagined.
After wiping away the tears, I inhaled deeply and swung the car around. Now that I knew the truth, I had to make a choice.
I was already dressed and prepared for our anniversary meal that night. In an attempt to look my best, I put on my favorite dress, curled my hair, and applied makeup meticulously because I wanted everything to be flawless.
All I could think about was the icy knot in my gut, even though I wanted to feel confident and gorgeous.
I had just finished applying my makeup when Adam entered. When he spotted me, his eyes brightened and he grinned.
“Whoa, you look fantastic.”
“Thank you.”
“Where are we going?”
“It’s unexpected,” I remarked.
I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that something wasn’t right when we took a cab to the restaurant.
Adam laughed when we got to the restaurant. “I was aware of it! I was expecting you to bring me here. In fact, I reserved a spot here as well. My time is one hour later than yours, though.
“Really? I suppose we both have a lot of surprises.
I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that something wasn’t right when we took a cab to the restaurant.
Adam laughed when we got to the restaurant. “I was aware of it! I was expecting you to bring me here. In fact, I reserved a spot here as well. My time is one hour later than yours, though.
“Really? I suppose we both have a lot of surprises.
Adam smiled as he unwrapped my gift when I gave it to him.
“Whoa, this is ideal. Nat, thank you.
However, the waiter returned with a cake and set it in front of Adam before I could respond. “Cheater” was scrawled in icing when I looked at the cake.
I was at my breaking point. “I am aware of what is happening. I am aware that you are unfaithful to me.
“What? “That isn’t true,” he answered hastily. “Nat, this is crazy.”
“I noticed the message. that from “Baby.” Yesterday, I followed you. You were with her when I saw you. I witnessed everything.
“This is not what you believe it to be. You’re making snap judgments.
I couldn’t allow him to explain, though. I was unable to hear any more falsehoods.
“You chose MY SISTER out of all the women you could have cheated with!”
There was silence throughout the whole diner. Everyone was watching us.
Adam let out a sigh. “Leave now, please.”
“Where?”
“To reveal the truth to you.”
We were headed to the same house where I had previously seen him after he phoned for a cab.
My heart was pounding once more as we got there. As soon as we exited the vehicle, the door opened before I could ask any questions. My sister Lily was there. When she saw us standing there, she appeared surprised.
She questioned, “What are you doing here?”
Adam turned to her after glancing at me. “I’ve made an effort to keep this a secret, but I will no longer lie, especially if it is affecting my marriage.”
I took a step forward. “What’s happening, Lily? You’ve been out of state for years, and now you’re here having an affair with my husband.
Lily paused. “That is untrue. I… This is where I moved. I didn’t believe I had an option. You don’t get it, Nat.
“You’re absolutely correct; I have no idea what’s going on.”
“I believed you would never pardon me.”
“What am I to forgive you for? for having an affair with my husband?”
“No! I’d never do you any harm.
Adam took over. “Her husband has acted abusively. She had to leave.
“Abuseful?” I said it again. “Lily, I warned you. He wasn’t good for you, I told you. Please leave him, I pleaded. However, you chose to abandon me instead.
She yelled, “That’s why I didn’t tell you.” “Because I anticipated your reaction! I didn’t want to bring you embarrassment.
I remained silent as I tried to take it all in. However, I caught a glimpse of a little lad approaching us from the corner of my eye. He was four years old or so.
Confused, I turned to Adam. “Who is this?”
Adam stated, “This is the ‘Baby’ that you saw in the message.” “He is the son of Lily.”
“You’re a parent?” I looked at my sister and inquired.
Lily gave a nod. Indeed. I had no idea how to describe everything. However, I had no idea where else to go.
“Lily, you ought to have told me. We are sisters. Why did you not believe me?
“I was afraid you would condemn me.”
I looked at both Lily and Adam and said, “I’ll help you, Lily.” However, you both must swear to me that there won’t be any more secrets. Don’t keep anything from me anymore. I can’t stand any more lies since we are family.
“I swear. No more secrets.
Adam gave my hand a squeeze. “Now we’re in this together. Every one of us.
I gave a nod.
With his hand still in me, Adam whispered gently, “Let’s go.” “Don’t we still have to celebrate our anniversary?”
I took a while to respond. I noticed something I hadn’t seen in a while when I looked at Adam’s eyes: sincerity.
Even though things might not have gone as planned, I was prepared to think that there was still time. I really hoped not.
