19/12/2025
At 34F, I'm home on maternity leave with my twin infants. Derek, my husband (36M), stumbled back from a three-day "work trip," utterly wrecked. "I barely slept," he groaned, suitcase in hand. "That conference DESTROYED me."
Soon the fever appeared, followed by intense itching. Then, the spots.
"Derek… that looks like CHICKENPOX," I observed.
He dismissed it: "No way. It's just stress. My immune system's worn down."
I shifted into caregiver mode: calamine lotion on blisters, cold compresses, hot soup, fresh linen. He supplied ample excuses—"Worked all night on slides… Clients were tough…"—and I listened, because with twins to care for, any deeper thought seemed overwhelming.
Family dinner plans shifted, until my stepdad texted: "Kelsey's sick. Chickenpox. From her girls' trip." A picture was attached.
It felt like my insides vanished.
Kelsey, my stepsister, was covered in matching spots. Same timeline. Same weekend.
When Derek fell asleep on Benadryl that night, I retrieved his phone, hands shaking. In Photos, a Hidden folder surfaced.
Inside: hotel mirror selfies, a spa robe, champagne, Derek grinning.
Kelsey in a robe, her hand resting on his chest.
Derek kissing her neck.
No shouting—quiet strategy instead.
For the rescheduled dinner, I prepared roast chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, pumpkin pie. Atmosphere: warm, familiar, American. Kelsey arrived, her makeup hiding healing scabs. Derek avoided her gaze, my mother noticing their strange tension.
After dinner, I stood and held up my glass.
"I want to give a toast," was all I said.
Derek stiffened.
My gaze stayed locked on him, smiling.
"My dear husband Derek…" My voice rang out. ⬇️