On Valentine’s Day, Eric exploded at his wife, Cora, blaming her for being a terrible homemaker and discarding the thoughtful gift she’d prepared—only to later face a shocking twist when a stranger appeared at their door.
That morning, Cora was buoyant with happiness. She spent her time in the living room, ticking off her to-do list with a rosy glow on her cheeks, excitedly picturing how thrilled Eric would be when he saw the surprise she had so lovingly arranged. Cora and Eric’s love story began at a business conference in Texas, where, sharing a similar background as orphans from foster care, they dreamed of building a big, happy family. Their connection was swift; after a few dates, they married and welcomed triplets just two years later.
As their family grew, so did the challenges. With Cora dedicated to caring for the children and Eric bearing the financial weight of raising a family of five, the pressures of everyday life mounted. They hadn’t enjoyed a fancy dinner or a getaway in years, so Eric, always mindful of every penny, rarely indulged. Cora respected this and made sure to spend carefully.
This Valentine’s Day, determined to create a special evening despite their busy lives, Cora put on an old red dress—a cherished gift from their first anniversary—and meticulously set a table for two. She baked Eric’s favorite heart-shaped red velvet cheesecake, prepared several dishes, and arranged a bottle of wine, all accentuated by the soft glow of candles and twinkling fairy lights. A beautifully wrapped gift rested beside his plate, symbolizing her heartfelt plans.
When Eric finally returned home and was greeted with a warm “Happy Valentine’s Day, honey!” and a gentle kiss, he was instead met with a scene he didn’t expect—a dining room adorned with an elaborate spread, candlelight, and rose petals lining the entrance. Instead of feeling touched, his reaction was explosive. “What on earth have you done, Cora? Are we acting like foolish teenagers?” he shouted, turning on all the lights and casting a disapproving glare over the room.
Cora’s smile vanished as she tried to understand his sudden anger. “Honey, what’s wrong? Are you upset about something at work?” she asked softly, but Eric’s fury only escalated. He accused her of squandering their hard-earned money on frivolous luxuries, questioning whether all his hard work was for nothing.
Attempting to defuse the situation, Cora gently reassured him that the extra cost was minimal as she led him to the table and invited him to taste the meal. However, Eric’s temper got the better of him—after taking a bite of the pasta, he spat it out, yelling that the spaghetti was ruined and that the sauce tasted awful, his voice loud enough to disturb the sleeping triplets.
In the midst of the chaos, Cora pleaded, “Eric, the babies—I put them to bed just half an hour ago!” But instead of understanding, Eric snapped further. He seized the gift box and, with a burst of anger, hurled it onto the floor. “A gift? I’m not a child to be impressed by this junk! Look at the kitchen—dishes everywhere because you were too busy preparing this mess to keep the house tidy!” he fumed.
Overwhelmed by his harsh words, Cora could hardly believe the man she loved was lashing out at her. Tearfully, she muttered, “You’re impossible, Eric! I can’t believe I married the man I once adored!” and stormed off to the children’s room. The crying of the little ones, disturbed by the commotion, only fueled his anger. “Why aren’t the kids quiet yet? Aren’t you supposed to be the perfect mom? Do something right for once!” he yelled.
Finally, exasperated and unable to cope any longer, Cora announced, “They’re crying because I need to change their diapers, but we’re out! So just keep quiet and watch them until I get back—the store isn’t nearby!” With that, she grabbed her coat and left, slamming the door behind her.
Nearly an hour passed, and with no sign of her return, Eric’s irritation turned to worry. “What’s taking you so long for just a packet of diapers?” he muttered, reaching for his phone to call her. Then the doorbell rang. As Eric started to ask who it might be, he opened the door to find a police officer standing there.
The officer asked if Eric was Cora’s husband. Nodding, Eric braced himself for what was coming. With a heavy heart, the officer delivered the devastating news: Cora had been killed in a car accident—her address found via her driver’s license left no room for doubt.
Eric’s world shattered instantly. His face drained of color as he listened to the grim announcement. Distraught, he called their next-door neighbor, Mrs. Nelson, to care for the triplets while he made his way to the mortuary. When he saw Cora’s lifeless body, the pain of his earlier outbursts and harsh words overwhelmed him, and he broke down in tears. After the funeral, he withdrew into himself, unable to face the reality of life without her.
Back at home, memories of that earlier Valentine’s evening haunted him as he sat at the table still set by Cora. Suddenly, he remembered the gift he had so rashly discarded. Frantically, he picked it up, unwrapping it with trembling hands. Inside, he discovered a note accompanied by two plane tickets to Hawaii. The note revealed that Cora had landed a new job—something that would have eased their burdens—and had arranged for Mrs. Nelson to watch the children so she could work. The tickets were for a romantic trip for just the two of them, with hints of more surprises yet to come.
As Eric read her words, a tidal wave of regret crashed over him. The loving, thoughtful surprise he had scorned was now a painful reminder of the moments they would never share again. From that day forward, Eric’s life was irrevocably altered. He never experienced love in the same way, dedicating himself entirely to raising their children. Every Valentine’s Day, he visits Cora’s grave, spending long hours talking to her memory and mourning the chance to have made things right.