On Valentine’s Day, Cora Morales prepared a romantic surprise for her husband, Eric — candles, lights, a heart-shaped cheesecake, and a small gift. Life had been hard: married young with triplets, Cora stayed home while Eric worked, growing bitter under financial strain.
When he walked in, he didn’t smile — he snapped. “Are we teenagers? You wasted money on this junk?” He insulted her food, threw her gift, and accused her of doing nothing all day. Holding back tears, Cora told him they were out of diapers and stormed out. “Watch the kids,” she said.
An hour later, the doorbell rang. A police officer stood there. “Are you Eric Morales? I’m sorry… your wife was in a car accident. She didn’t make it.”
Back home, everything she’d set up remained. Eric opened the gift he’d thrown. Inside were two plane tickets to Hawaii and a letter: “Happy Valentine’s Day, honey! I got a job to ease your burden. Mrs. Nelson will watch the kids. I planned a trip—just us. I love you.”
Eric collapsed in grief. He never remarried. Every Valentine’s Day, he visits her grave, whispering apologies and wishing he’d simply said, “Thank you.”
