Melanie and Bryan were once the couple everyone admired. After college, marriage, and early years full of shared dreams and love, things slowly changed. Bryan’s demanding real estate job kept him away, while Melanie, now working from home, felt increasingly isolated. They still said “I love you” each night, but cracks had formed.
One December evening, as Bryan prepared for a holiday party, Melanie playfully wrote a note on his chest: “This is my husband. Lay a finger on him, and you’ll regret it.” Hours later, she found added words in a different handwriting: “You can keep the change.”
The phrase haunted her. Bryan shrugged it off, claiming drunken coworkers. But Melanie couldn’t shake her unease. Her mother urged her to investigate. Torn but desperate for peace of mind, Melanie planted a tracker in his car.
One night, instead of a meeting downtown, the tracker led her to a quiet suburban home. She watched in horror as Bryan kissed another woman on the porch. Heartbroken and shaking, she stepped into the cold night and called out, “Hey, Bryan!”
He turned—shocked. The woman beside him froze.