Family issues can be tough. The challenges that two people encounter, their ability to tackle problems together, and overcoming the tests that challenge their love and trust is what keeps a relationship strong.
Yet, when communication breaks down between partners, doubts about love and loyalty can creep in. These worries might ruin a relationship completely.
A woman’s husband, with whom she shared a non-verbal child, began coming home from work earlier.
At first, the woman was happy about this change because it meant more time with her son Oliver. But as these early arrivals became regular occurrences, she started to feel uncertain.
James, her husband, seemed to come home while their nanny was still there. This “coincidence” made her suspicious. She began to wonder if his early returns were related to Tessa the nanny instead of him wanting more time with Oliver.
The more she thought about it, the faster her heart raced. She noticed other signs too; James often left the house talking on his phone late into the night.
Her heart sank. “What is happening?” she kept asking herself. Could James be cheating on her with Tessa? Just thinking about it shattered her world into pieces.
One evening after dinner ended, Oliver came up to his mom showing his palm which had “Dad Lies” written on it.
Since Oliver couldn’t speak due to a rare condition he communicated in other ways; now he revealed something important that she hadn’t seen before.
She chose not to confront James immediately but decided instead to uncover what secret he held.
One day when she got home from work early and found James chatting with Tessa in the kitchen; they looked uneasy at her arrival.
Days passed by and finally decided it was time for a talk with Oliver regarding his dad’s secret. When asked about it he simply pointed at James’s briefcase which he never let out of sight.
Hesitant but curious she opened the briefcase not prepared for what lay inside.
Inside were neatly organized papers from hospitals and doctors’ offices containing words like “Stage 3,” “Aggressive treatment needed,” and “Survival rate.”
“Rachel?” came James’s voice behind her. “I didn’t want you finding out like this.”
Turning around tears streaming down her face she said “When were you going tell me you’re dying?”
James explained how he wanted to fight without involving them because he wanted protect them both
“And what about Tessa?” asked Rachel
“Tessa figured out my secret & promised not tell you,” said James.” She has been helping me since.”
Now that everything was revealed Rachel could stand by him & help him fight against this illness together
The next weeks revolved around doctor visits where Tessa supported them every step of way.
