“I can’t wait for us to have our own home,” I said, smiling.
“Yeah,” he sighed. “I just need a bit more time to save. Houses are so expensive these days.”
“I know,” I grinned. “But when we finally get one, I want a big kitchen, and a backyard.”
“For a dog?” he teased.
“No,” I laughed. “For a baby.”
His face softened, and he kissed my forehead. “We’ll get there,” he reassured me.
When he left for a work trip on Friday, I didn’t think much of it. His job required travel, so I’d gotten used to it. I planned to spend the weekend deep-cleaning the apartment.
It was a decision I would soon regret.
While cleaning the top shelf of the hallway closet, the ladder wobbled beneath me.
For a split second, I felt weightless, then crashed to the floor.
Pain shot through my leg as I gasped, struggling to move. Gripping my phone with trembling hands, I managed to call for help.
The paramedics arrived, and the pain intensified as they lifted me onto the stretcher. My vision blurred as they wheeled me into the ambulance.
The hospital X-ray confirmed the worst—I had broken my leg.
“You’ll need to stay for a few days,” the doctor said. “We need to monitor the swelling before you can go home.”
Once the doctor left, I called Toby.
He answered immediately, “Hey, Kate! How’s my beautiful wife doing?”
“Toby,” I whispered, “I broke my leg.”
“What? How?”
“I fell off a ladder while cleaning.”
“Kate!” he exclaimed. “I’m coming home.”
“You don’t have to,” I protested.
“I’m cutting my trip short. I should be with you.”
Tears filled my eyes. “Okay.”
Just then, a nurse walked in, smiling warmly. “You must be Kate. I’m Stephanie, and I’ll be taking care of you.”
“Nice to meet you,” I replied, forcing a smile through the pain.
She reassured me, bringing extra blankets and even making light conversation. She was kind and attentive, and we quickly got to know each other.
Then, one day, I noticed something—Stephanie wore a delicate gold bracelet with a small heart charm. The same bracelet I had lost a month ago.
I was taken aback. That bracelet had been a gift from my grandmother, and it had a tiny engraving of a smiley face on the back.
I asked, “That’s a beautiful bracelet. Where did you get it?”
Stephanie smiled, “My boyfriend gave it to me.”
A chill ran through me. “When?”
“A month ago,” she replied.
Memories flooded back—the day I realized my bracelet was missing. I had asked Toby if he’d seen it, but he brushed me off. Now I was certain—Toby had taken it and given it to her.
I needed confirmation.
My heart raced as I pulled up a photo of Toby and me, showing it to her. “Is this your boyfriend?”