It started as a lighthearted prank, just something fun to send my husband off to his work party with a laugh. But when he stumbled home drunk and I found a reply to my joke scrawled on his chest, it became clear that this night was about to change everything.
It’s strange, isn’t it? How you can be with someone for years, trust them wholeheartedly, and then suddenly question everything? I never thought I’d be that person: the one who starts second-guessing her marriage. But here I am, wondering how things got to this point.
A thoughtful woman standing on her front porch | Source: Midjourney
I’m Micaela, and I’ve been married to Travis for five years. We were that couple everyone thought would last forever.
We met in college — me, a focused business major, and Travis, the charming goofball with dreams of climbing the corporate ladder. He was everything I didn’t know I needed. We balanced each other out, or so I thought.
Looking back, the early days of our relationship were so full of life and so carefree. Travis could make me laugh like no one else.
Even when things were tough — like when I lost my first job out of college or when his father passed away — we leaned on each other. We had each other’s backs. At least, that’s how it used to be.
Things changed gradually, almost imperceptibly. He started working longer hours, and I found a remote job. At first, I loved it. Working from home meant I had more flexibility and more time for myself.
A woman working on her laptop at home | Source: Pexels
But eventually, the space between us seemed to grow, and I didn’t even realize it was happening. He was still sweet, still attentive — but there was a distance, a new kind of silence that had settled between us. Maybe I should have seen the signs earlier.
It was the week before Christmas, and like clockwork, Travis’ company was throwing their annual holiday party. I didn’t have to worry about that anymore, thanks to working from home, but Travis, well, he was still part of the 9-to-5 grind.
A closeup of a man working on his laptop while holding his coffee cup | Source: Pexels
He seemed excited about the party, though, and I figured it was a nice break from the routine for him.
I remember standing in our bedroom, watching him as he got dressed. He was fiddling with his shirt buttons, looking a bit nervous.
“Are you sure you want to wear that shirt?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.
“What’s wrong with it?” he asked, glancing down.
“Nothing, except you wore it to the last party and the one before that. Maybe switch it up a bit this year?” I suggested with a smile.
A woman smiling softly | Source: Midjourney
He chuckled. “You know me, Mica. I’m not exactly a fashion icon.”
While he was fixing his shirt in the mirror, I absentmindedly picked up a black marker from the dresser. I twirled it in my fingers, my mind wandering to silly thoughts. And then, a mischievous idea struck me.
“Hey, Trav, hold still,” I said, walking up behind him.
“What are you doing?” he laughed, looking at me in the mirror as I pulled up his shirt.
A man laughing | Source: Midjourney
“This,” I said, as I scribbled on his chest in bold letters, “This is my husband. If you touch him, you’ll pay for it. M.”
Travis stared at my handiwork in the mirror and shook his head, amused. “Really, Mica? That’s what you’re going with?”
“What? It’s cute!” I grinned. “Besides, now everyone knows you’re off-limits.”
“Yeah, because that’s what every guy wants — his wife’s handwriting all over him,” he teased, pulling his shirt down.
He planted a tender kiss on my cheek before grabbing his coat. “I’ll be back early, promise. Don’t wait up.”
And with that, he was gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
In Travis’ absence, I decided to make use of the time. Our living room still needed decorating, and I’d been meaning to put up the Christmas tree for days. I blasted some holiday music and began hanging the stockings and stringing up the lights. It felt good: that familiar warmth of Christmas filling the house.
A living room decorated for Christmas | Source: Pexels
