07/08/2025
My husband left on an âurgentâ business trip just two days before Christmas. When I learned he had lied and was actually at a nearby hotel, I drove there. But when I burst into that hotel room, I froze in tears. The face looking back at me shattered my heart and turned my world upside down.
I always thought my husband and I shared everything. Every silly joke, every little worry, and every dream. We knew each otherâs quirks and flaws, celebrated our victories together, and helped each other through rough patches. At least, thatâs what I believed until Christmas Day when everything I thought I knew came crashing down around me.
âAndrea, I need to tell you something,â Shawn said, his fingers drumming nervously on our kitchen counter. âMy boss called. He needs me to handle an emergency client situation in Boston.â
I looked up from my coffee, studying his face. There was something different in his expression. A flicker of⊠guilt? Anxiety?
âDuring Christmas?â my eyes widened.
âI know, I know. I tried to get out of it, butâŠâ He ran his hand through his dark hair â a gesture Iâd grown to love over our three years of marriage. âThe clientâs threatening to pull their entire account.â
âYouâve never had to travel on Christmas before.â I wrapped my hands around my coffee mug, seeking warmth. âCouldnât someone else handle it?â
âTrust me, I wish there was.â His eyes met mine, then quickly darted away. âIâll make it up to you, I promise. Weâll have our own Christmas when I get back.â
âWell, I guess duty calls.â I forced a smile, though disappointment settled heavily in my chest. âWhen are you leaving?â
âTonight. Iâm so sorry, honey.â
I nodded, fighting back tears. It was going to be our first Christmas apart since weâd met.
That evening, as I helped Shawn pack, memories of our life together flooded my mind.
I remembered our wedding day, how his eyes lit up when I walked down the aisle, and the way he surprised me with weekend getaways. How he worked extra hours at the consulting firm to save for our dream house â the Victorian with the wrap-around porch weâd been eyeing.
âRemember our first Christmas?â I asked, folding his sweater. âWhen you nearly burned down our apartment trying to make a roast turkey?â
He laughed. âHow could I forget? The fire department wasnât too happy about that 3 a.m. call.â
âAnd last Christmas, when you got us those matching ugly sweaters?â
âYou still wore yours to work!â
âBecause you dared me to!â I tossed a sock at him, and he caught it with a grin. âThe office still hasnât let me live it down.â
His smile faded slightly. âIâm so sorry about this trip, darling.â
âI know!â I sat on the edge of the bed. âItâs just⊠Christmas wonât be the same without you.â
He sat beside me, taking my hand. âPromise you wonât open your presents until Iâm back?â
âCross my heart.â I leaned against his shoulder. âPromise youâll call?â
âEvery chance I get. I love you.â
âLove you too.â
As I watched him drive away, something nagged at the back of my mind. But I pushed the thought away. This was Shawn, after all. My Shawn. The man who brought me soup when I was sick and danced with me in the rain. And the man I trusted more than anyone in the world.
Christmas Eve arrived, bringing with it a blanket of snow and an emptiness I couldnât shake. The house felt too quiet and too still. Iâd spent the day baking cookies alone, watching Christmas movies alone, and wrapping last-minute gifts⊠alone.
Around 9 p.m., my phone lit up with Shawnâs call. My heart leaped.
âMerry Christmas, beautiful,â he said, his voice oddly strained.
âMerry Christmas! Howâs Boston? Did you get the client situation sorted out?â
âItâs⊠uh⊠good. Listen, I canât talk right now. I have to goââ
In the background, I heard what sounded like dishes clinking, muffled voices, and laughter.
âAre you at dinner? This late? I thought you had meetings?â
âI have to go!â he practically shouted. âEmergency meeting!â
The line went dead.
I stared at my phone, my hands shaking. Emergency meeting? At 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve? With restaurant noises in the background? None of it made sense.
Then I remembered my fitness tracker! Iâd left it in his car last weekend after our grocery run. With trembling fingers, I opened the app on my phone.. See more in 1st coment