A Valentine’s Day He’d Regret Forever
Cora woke up that morning feeling light, hopeful — happy in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time. The house was quiet, the kids were asleep, and her heart danced as she walked through the living room, checking off her list.
She giggled softly to herself as she imagined Eric’s reaction when he saw the surprise she’d planned for Valentine’s Day. “He’s going to love this. He has to,” she whispered, cheeks glowing with excitement.
Cora had met Eric years ago at a business conference in Texas. They were two people from tough beginnings — both raised in foster care, both dreaming of building the kind of big, loving family they never had. That dream pulled them together fast. After just a few dates, they got married. Two years later, they were parents to triplets.
But life wasn’t as easy as the fairy tale they imagined.
Eric worked hard — long hours, weekends, sometimes even holidays. He carried the pressure of being the only one earning, and it weighed heavy on his shoulders. The stress twisted him. He was tired, broke by the end of every month, and angry at the world for how hard everything had become.
Cora understood. She really did. She stayed home with the babies, cooked, cleaned, and tried to stretch every penny they had. But even love has its breaking points.
Still, today she wanted to bring the magic back. Even though they couldn’t afford much, she slipped into the red dress Eric had given her on their first anniversary — it was old and a little snug, but it held memories, and she hoped that meant something.
She lit candles, placed heart-shaped rose petals from the door to the table, and laid out his favorite dishes — including a heart-shaped red velvet cheesecake she’d carefully baked. The gift box sat next to his plate, wrapped with trembling hands. Inside was her biggest surprise yet.
“Perfect!” she whispered, just as the doorbell rang. Her heart jumped.
Eric was home.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, honey!” she beamed, kissing his cheek and guiding him into the room.
But the moment Eric stepped inside, he stopped. His eyes narrowed at the decorated table, the soft lights, the glowing candles, the effort — all of it.
“What on Earth have you done, Cora? Are we some stupid teenagers now?” he snapped.
Her smile vanished.
“Honey? What’s wrong?” she asked, confused. “Are you upset about something? Did something happen at work?”
But Eric wasn’t listening.
“Are you serious right now?” he shouted. “Is this why I bust my ass every day? So you can waste our money on crap like this?!”
“Oh, Eric, please,” she said softly. “I didn’t overspend. The ingredients cost a little more, but I was careful. Come on, have a seat and try the food? I made your favorite.”
But he was fuming. He took one angry bite of the spaghetti and spat it right out.
“What the hell is this?! Why does the sauce taste like shit?!”
His voice was so loud, it echoed down the hallway and woke the babies. Their cries started faint and grew louder.
“Eric!” Cora rushed toward the hallway. “I just put them down thirty minutes ago!”
“So what?! That’s my fault too now?” he barked. “You sit at home playing house with the kids while I’m out working like a dog! And this —” he snatched the gift box off the table, shaking it in the air, “— what is this? A gift? Am I a child to be impressed by junk like this?”
He threw it to the floor. It slid across the room, unopened.
“Have you seen the kitchen?” he shouted. “It’s a mess! Dishes piled up everywhere because you were too busy cooking this disaster to do your actual job!”
Tears welled up in Cora’s eyes, but she didn’t let them fall. “You’re impossible,” she muttered. “I don’t even recognize you anymore. You’re not the man I fell in love with.”
She turned away and walked toward the babies’ room, the sounds of their cries growing louder. Eric rolled his eyes and kept yelling from behind her.
“And now the kids are still crying?! Aren’t you supposed to be a perfect mother too? Maybe learn how to do something right, Cora!”
That was it. She stormed back out, grabbed her coat, and snapped, “They’re crying because I ran out of diapers, and we don’t have any! So how about you look after them while I run to the store?”
She pulled the front door open. “It’s a bit far, so don’t wait for me!” she added before slamming the door shut behind her.
Eric scoffed. “Yeah, and you say you’re a housewife,” he muttered to himself. “Can’t even keep diapers stocked. What a joke…”
He grumbled all the way to the kids’ room, trying to calm the babies, but nothing worked. One hour passed. Then another. Cora still hadn’t returned.
“This is insane,” he muttered, picking up his phone. “How long does it take to get one pack of diapers?!”
Just then, the doorbell rang. He rushed to the door, ready to unload all his frustration — but the words froze in his throat.
It wasn’t Cora. It was a police officer.
“Does Cora live here?” the cop asked, glancing at the house.
“Yes?” Eric answered, suddenly tense. “I’m her husband.”
The officer paused. “I’m sorry, sir… but there was an accident. Your wife was in a collision. She didn’t survive. I need you to come identify the body.”
Eric’s knees buckled. The walls spun. No. No. No. This can’t be happening.
He didn’t even hear what else the cop said. All he could see was her face, her smile, the candle-lit table behind him. His eyes stung with tears.
Shaking, he called their neighbor, Mrs. Nelson, and begged her to watch the kids. Then he left with the officer. The drive to the morgue was silent. Cold. Torturous.
When they pulled back the white sheet, and he saw Cora’s lifeless face… he broke.
“No… no… Cora, I’m sorry,” he whispered through tears. “I didn’t mean any of it. I swear I didn’t…”
The funeral was small. Quiet. Eric barely spoke. He locked himself away for days. The house was still — too still — except for the cries of the triplets, now motherless.
One evening, as he sat alone, his eyes landed on the untouched table. The food, the candles, the soft lights — all frozen in time. Then he saw it.
The gift box. Still lying where he’d thrown it.
His heart dropped. With shaking hands, he picked it up and slowly unwrapped it. Inside, there was a small note… and two plane tickets to Hawaii.
His fingers trembled as he opened the letter.
To the love of my life, Eric,
Happy Valentine’s Day, honey!!! Guess what? I got a job this month! I didn’t tell you yet because I wanted it to be a surprise. I saw how tired you’ve been, working all alone, so I started applying secretly. And guess what — I got hired!! They called me yesterday afternoon.
I also talked to Mrs. Nelson — she agreed to babysit the triplets during my shift. So now you won’t have to carry everything on your own anymore.
But that’s not all… Look at those plane tickets. We’re going to Hawaii, just the two of us! I planned everything. We’ll relax, breathe, just be us again. (There are more surprises, but I’ll save those for later 😉)
Love you forever,
Cora
Eric clutched the letter to his chest and sobbed like a child. He stayed like that for hours, tears soaking the paper. But it was too late.
Cora was gone. And all he had left were regrets.
He never loved again. He never celebrated Valentine’s Day the same way. Every year on February 14th, he goes to Cora’s grave and sits for hours, telling her everything — about the kids, his day, his heartache, and how sorry he is.
He wishes more than anything that he could go back in time and just… listen.
What can we learn from this story?
- Never assume the worst about someone you love. Eric thought Cora was doing nothing — he was wrong.
- Anger makes us say things we can never take back. Eric’s harsh words were the last ones Cora ever heard from him.
- Don’t wait to appreciate someone. You might not get another chance.
Let your words be kind. Let your love show. Don’t let regret be all that remains.
