I'm Lacy. I've been feeling strange about my husband, Damien, for a long time. He used to be the light and joy in our home. Always cheerful, friendly, and open to me. But little by little, I noticed a change in him. He became quiet, always tired, and secretly kept his cellphone. It was like he was hiding something big from me. I couldn't help but suspect—maybe he had another woman.
I knew there were trials in life, but I never imagined that the distance that had gradually grown between us would be this deep. One night, he came home very late, still drunk. He didn't even talk or say anything. He lay straight on the bed, while I was alone in the living room, full of fear and apprehension. In my heart, it felt like all the doubts and fears had exploded. I needed to know the truth. So I decided to put a hidden camera in the living room—even though I knew it was wrong. But for me, this was the last way to find out the truth.
The next day, my chest was heaving with anxiety. I didn't watch the footage right away. I was afraid of getting hurt, afraid of finding out that my worst suspicions were true. But as time went on, I noticed more and more that the coldness between Damien and I was getting worse. I couldn't bear the pain of not knowing anymore. So one night, I turned off the lights, sat down next to my laptop, and watched the video.
What I saw? It wasn't the betrayal I expected. He wasn't with another woman. Instead, I saw him enter the house, sitting on the sofa, holding a letter. As he read it, he slowly began to cry—it felt like the world had collapsed on him. I saw the man I once loved, wrapped in sadness and fear, a man struggling to carry a heavy burden.
I don't understand. Why? What was in the letter that caused her suffering? I need to know.
The next day, while he was fast asleep, I secretly took the letter from his coat pocket. When I read the words, it was as if my heart sank into the depths of the sea. It stated that he had a serious illness — cancer, and would soon return to Him. I cannot explain the weight of what I felt. The pain, the fear, the confusion.
I don't know how to tell him that I've found out the secret he's trying to hide. But I want him to know that he's not alone. I want to make him feel that no matter how cruel this pain is, we're in this together. He should never have to suffer alone.
When she woke up, there was fear and sadness in her eyes. “Lacy,” she said, “I didn’t want you to find out this way. I just didn’t want you to get hurt. I thought if I kept it a secret, it would be easier for you.”
I couldn't hold back my tears. "You shouldn't be here alone, Damien. We're in this fight together. Don't think you need to protect me from your pain. I'm your wife. I'm ready to face this together with you."
At that moment, I hugged him tightly, trying to hold back the tears that flooded my eyes. I wanted him to know that I loved him more than anything. No matter what trials came, I would never leave him.
But, there was one more thing I wanted to tell her — a secret I had been keeping for a long time. Despite my fear, there were also moments when I stumbled into doubt and loneliness. Sometimes, I thought I might not be able to handle all of this anymore. But looking at her, at her tears, I knew I could face anything as long as we were together.
Now, we are closer than ever. The pain has not broken us; rather, it has made our love stronger. With each passing day, we choose to face tomorrow together, full of hope and strength.
