Ethan never imagined his perfect world could fall apart in just one night.
He had always believed his life with Isabel was solid—eight years of marriage, a comfortable home, and a future they dreamed about together. He worked hard every day, convinced he was doing everything right to give her the life she deserved.
To Ethan, Isabel wasn’t just his wife—she was his best friend. They laughed together, shared secrets, and promised each other that nothing could ever come between them.
One quiet evening, sitting on their porch as the sun dipped below the horizon, Ethan sighed with contentment.
“We really do have a great life, don’t we?” he asked, turning to Isabel.
She smiled faintly and replied, “Yeah, Ethan, it’s wonderful.”
But something about her eyes unsettled him. They looked distant, as though there was something she wasn’t saying. Ethan brushed it off, telling himself she was probably just tired. He never pushed her—because he trusted her completely.
He had no idea how wrong he was.
The nightmare began a few days later.
Ethan was on a business trip, about forty miles from home, driving down the highway when his phone rang. The number was unfamiliar, but something deep in his gut told him to answer.
“Hello?”
“Is this Ethan?” a woman’s voice asked.
“Yes, who’s calling?”
“This is Nurse Karen from the local hospital. Your wife, Isabel, is in the ER. She’s unconscious.”
The words punched the air out of his lungs. “What happened? Is she okay?” he demanded.
“I don’t have all the details,” the nurse said gently, “but you need to come to the hospital as soon as possible.”
His hands shook so badly he almost dropped the phone. “I’ll be there right away.”
He yanked the wheel to turn back toward town, pressing his foot hard on the gas. His heart thundered in his chest as the endless miles stretched before him. His thoughts spun wildly—had Isabel collapsed? Was it an accident? Was she dying?
“Please be okay, Isabel,” he whispered over and over, gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. His eyes burned with unshed tears, and he blinked them away to focus on the road.
The drive felt endless, like every mile dragged him through quicksand. When he finally reached the town limits, his chest was so tight he could barely breathe.
The hospital smelled of antiseptic and fear. Ethan rushed through the doors, almost slamming into the front desk.
“My wife—Isabel Williams. I got a call—she’s here. Where is she?”
The nurse looked up, puzzled. “That’s strange. I thought her husband already brought her in. He’s with her now.”
Ethan froze. “What? I’m her husband.” His voice cracked, raw with panic.
The nurse frowned, then pointed. “Room 12, down the hall.”
Ethan’s pulse roared in his ears as he stormed toward the room. The door swung open—and the sight inside stopped him cold.
Another man sat by Isabel’s bed, holding her hand as if he had every right to. He looked up calmly when Ethan appeared.
“Who the hell are you?” Ethan demanded, his voice trembling with rage and fear.
The man stood slowly. “I’m Logan,” he said evenly. “Her… lover. We’ve been together for a year. We were in an accident earlier today, and I brought her here. I told the nurse to call you.”
The words stabbed through Ethan like knives. Lover? His wife had a lover?
His fists clenched at his sides, every muscle in his body screaming to lash out. But he forced himself to stay upright, his voice low and dangerous. “You’re telling me… you’ve been with my wife behind my back?”
Logan didn’t flinch. “Yes. But before you lose it, you need to know—she loves you. She always talked about you. She just… felt neglected. She said you were too busy, that she didn’t know how to reach you anymore.”
Ethan’s world tilted. He stared at Isabel’s pale, unconscious face. Neglected? He had been breaking his back working for them—for her.
Logan sighed, glancing at Isabel tenderly. “She missed your attention. Your time. That’s why she turned to me. But I promise you, Ethan—she never stopped loving you.”
Ethan’s chest tightened painfully. His voice came out a whisper. “Why didn’t she tell me? Why didn’t she just… talk to me?”
“Maybe she was scared,” Logan said quietly. “Maybe she thought you wouldn’t listen. I don’t know. But she needs you now more than ever.”
The words cut deep. Ethan swallowed hard, guilt mixing with fury. He wanted to hate Logan, but he couldn’t deny the truth in his eyes.
Logan hesitated before speaking again. “I told the nurse I was her husband when I brought her in. I didn’t want complications. I’m sorry for the confusion.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. “I should throw you out right now,” he muttered. But after a moment, he exhaled. “You saved her life bringing her here. For that—I’m grateful. But this—” his voice hardened, “—this is between Isabel and me.”
Logan nodded slowly. “I understand. I’ll step back. She needs you now.”
Just then, Isabel stirred. Her eyelids fluttered open, her gaze foggy and disoriented.
“Ethan…” she whispered weakly, a faint smile on her lips.
Relief broke over him like a flood. He rushed to her side, gripping her hand. “I’m here, Isabel. I’m right here.”
She turned her head slightly—and her eyes landed on Logan. Confusion spread across her face. “Who… who are you?”
Logan’s expression softened. “I’m your husband’s work colleague,” he lied smoothly. Then, leaning closer to Ethan, he whispered, “Make her happy.”
For the first time, Ethan saw something in Logan’s eyes—sincerity, not competition. Logan gave Isabel one last look, then quietly slipped out of the room.
His final words echoed in Ethan’s mind like a command: Make her happy.
Isabel squeezed Ethan’s hand weakly. “I feel so dizzy… what happened?”
He brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “Don’t worry about that now. Just rest. I’ve got you.”
Her eyes softened, trusting him completely, before closing again in exhaustion.
Ethan sat by her bed, his heart torn apart by betrayal, guilt, and love all tangled together. But one thing was clear—he had been given a second chance.
And this time, he wasn’t going to waste it.