Lisa Thompson had always been a master of juggling work and home life. As a top accountant in Santa Clara, California, she somehow managed demanding hours at work while keeping her home immaculate. Her days started at 5 a.m., prepping meals for herself and her husband, Chad, then heading off to work and returning home in time to cook dinner.
Chad used to be supportive—offering to help with cleaning and housework—but after Lisa gave birth to twins, the dynamic shifted.
After three years of marriage and many attempts to conceive, the couple was overjoyed when Lisa finally became pregnant. She decided to take a break from her career to stay home with their babies, a decision she saw as selfless and nurturing. Chad, however, began to see it as laziness.
“You just sit on the couch all day,” he’d sneer. “At least try working out! Look at how much weight you’ve gained!” He mocked her constantly, not recognizing the emotional and physical toll of motherhood.
Lisa felt unappreciated and invisible. Chad barely engaged with her anymore—avoiding conversations, dismissing her attempts at connection, and going to bed early without a word. Desperate to bridge the growing distance, Lisa tried to talk to him.
“Is something wrong, Chad?” she asked gently.
He barely looked up from his laptop. “Nothing,” he muttered. But when Lisa pressed, Chad exploded.
“Can you just stop?” he snapped. “When’s the last time you even looked at yourself? You’ve let yourself go. Are you trying to make me leave you? Are you cheating on me?”
Lisa was stunned. “You think I’m cheating?”
“How would I know?” he shouted. “All you do is stay home and eat. We can afford a babysitter, but you’d rather just stay here and get fat.”
Crushed, Lisa burst into tears as Chad stormed out.
Not long after, Chad was startled by a loud noise. He assumed it came from the twins’ room—but found Lisa unconscious on the floor. He called 911 and rushed her to the hospital, leaving the babies with their neighbor.
Doctors said Lisa had collapsed from exhaustion and stress. Chad sat alone in the hospital room, guilt sinking in. “What do they mean she was weak?” he muttered. “She’s been resting at home…”
As he cleaned the bedroom later that night, Lisa’s journal fell from the bed. Though he knew it was private, he couldn’t resist reading it.
Her words hit him hard.
She had written about her joy at becoming a mother, her hopes for her children, and how much she loved Chad. But page by page, her tone shifted—from hopeful to hurt.
One entry described her sorrow over Chad growing distant. Another wondered if he wanted to leave her. She shared her excitement about joining a gym and surprising him for their anniversary… only to end up sick from the extreme regimen and “healthy” raw foods they had given her.
He hadn’t seen how hard she was trying.
Wracked with guilt, Chad realized how cruel he’d been. The next day, he brought flowers and a heartfelt card to the hospital. “Get well soon, honey,” it read. “Home isn’t the same without you.”
Lisa was touched. “Thank you,” she whispered, eyes glassy with tears.
“You don’t have to say anything,” Chad said, holding her hand. “I’m so sorry for everything I said. I was wrong. You’re beautiful. I love you.”
When Lisa returned home, Chad surprised her with a candlelit dinner, complete with music and wine. At one point, he knelt before her and asked, “Mrs. Thompson, may I have this dance?”
They embraced and kissed, warmth and connection flowing between them again.
From that night on, Chad changed. He helped around the house, planned date nights, and reminded Lisa every day that he loved her just as she was.
Lisa still goes to the gym, but not to lose weight fast or meet anyone’s expectations—only to be healthy for herself and her children. And now, she does it knowing she’s truly loved.