Cora Morales woke up on Valentine’s Day with a smile. She was in such a good mood that even folding laundry felt light. She hummed softly to herself, her cheeks glowing pink as she checked her to-do list. Everything was lined up perfectly. Tonight, she wanted to surprise her husband, Eric.
She had spent the whole morning making plans. “Eric’s going to be so happy when he sees this,” she whispered to herself, blushing as she looked at the red velvet cheesecake cooling on the counter, shaped perfectly into a heart.
Cora and Eric’s love story had started years ago at a business conference in Texas. From the first conversation, they had connected deeply. Both were orphans, raised in foster care, and both had dreamed of creating the kind of big, happy family they never had growing up. They didn’t waste time. A few dates turned into a proposal, then marriage, and two years later, they were blessed with triplets.
Life, however, wasn’t as easy as their love story. Eric worked long hours to provide for a family of five. The bills piled up, and savings never seemed enough. He carried the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. Cora stayed home with the children, which was rewarding but exhausting. Eric’s stress grew over the years, and his patience often snapped in ways that hurt Cora.
But she never gave up. She saved money where she could, stretched every dollar, and always tried to keep the love alive. Even today, she had put on the old red dress Eric had once gifted her on their first anniversary. The dress was outdated, but it was filled with memories. She wore it proudly.
By evening, everything was ready. The dining table glowed under soft candlelight. Fairy lights twinkled along the walls, rose petals lined the entryway, and on the table sat the meal she had lovingly prepared: spaghetti Aglio e Olio, a bottle of wine, fresh bread, and the cheesecake. Beside Eric’s plate, she placed the gift box she had been dying to see him open.
When she heard the doorbell ring, her heart skipped. She rushed to the door, smiling brightly. “Happy Valentine’s Day, honey!” she said, kissing Eric on the cheek and leading him inside.
Eric stepped in and froze. His eyes darted around the room—the candles, the petals, the table. Instead of being touched, he frowned in disgust. “What on Earth have you done, Cora? Are we some stupid teenagers?”
Her smile faltered. “Honey, what’s wrong? Did something happen at work?” she asked gently.
But Eric’s anger only rose. He flicked on all the lights, glaring at her. “Is this why I work my ass off every day? So you can blow money on garbage like this?”
“Eric, please. The food didn’t cost much. I just wanted to make today special,” she said, trying to calm him, pointing to the table. “Sit down, try the food. Please?”
But he was already fuming. He grabbed the fork, shoved a bite of spaghetti in his mouth, and immediately spat it out on the table. “What the hell is this? The sauce tastes disgusting! Are you kidding me?” His voice boomed so loudly that the triplets, who had just fallen asleep, began to cry.
“Eric!” Cora cried. “You’ll wake the babies!”
“So? Is that also my fault? You sit at home all day, and you can’t even cook or keep the house clean? And this?” He snatched the gift box, holding it up. “A gift? What am I, a child? You think this makes up for your laziness?” He hurled it on the floor, the box sliding under the table.
Cora’s chest ached as tears welled in her eyes. “I can’t believe you’re the same man I married. You’re impossible!” She turned toward the kids’ room, but the crying only grew louder, which seemed to irritate Eric even more.
“Why aren’t they quiet yet? Aren’t you supposed to be the perfect housewife? Do something right for once, Cora!”
Her hands trembled as she faced him. “They need diapers, Eric. I was going to buy some, but I got busy preparing all this—for you! We don’t have any left!” Her voice broke. “So keep your mouth shut, look after them until I get back. The store is far—it’ll take a while!”
She grabbed her coat, slammed the door, and left, her footsteps echoing angrily into the night.
Eric cursed under his breath, still pacing. “Yeah, run off again. Some housewife you are…” he muttered as the babies’ cries filled the small house.
Minutes turned into an hour. The kids wailed, and Eric grew restless. “Where the hell is she? How long does it take to get diapers?” he grumbled, picking up his phone to call her. But before he could, the doorbell rang.
Finally, he thought, swinging the door open. “Cora, what took you so—” His voice died when he saw the uniformed officer on the porch.
“Does Cora Morales live here?” the officer asked gently.
“Yes… I’m her husband,” Eric replied, uneasy.
The officer shifted uncomfortably. “I’m very sorry. Your wife was in a car accident. She didn’t make it. We need you to come and identify the body.”
The world spun. Eric’s legs nearly gave out. His throat burned, but no words came. The officer glanced inside and noticed the candlelit table, the untouched food, the wine bottle. His chest tightened, but his duty left no room for comfort.
Eric staggered back inside, his hands shaking. He called their neighbor, Mrs. Nelson, begging her to watch the triplets, then followed the officer. At the mortuary, when the sheet was pulled back, and he saw Cora’s pale, lifeless face, Eric broke. He collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably, guilt crashing over him.
The funeral the next day felt unreal. Eric moved through it in a haze, unable to process the truth. When he returned home, the table still stood the way Cora had left it. The candles, now melted, the food untouched. His eyes fell on the gift box he had thrown aside.
“The gift…” His voice cracked. “I didn’t even open it.”
He picked it up with trembling hands and tore the wrapping slowly. Inside were two plane tickets to Hawaii and a handwritten note.
The note read:
To the love of my life, Eric,
Happy Valentine’s Day! Guess what? I finally got a job! I know how hard you’ve been working, so I’ve been applying secretly. Yesterday, I was hired! Mrs. Nelson agreed to watch the babies when I start, so you can finally get some rest and not worry so much. And look at those tickets—we’re going to Hawaii! Just the two of us! I’ve planned more surprises, but you’ll have to wait and see…
I love you, forever and always.
—Cora
Eric clutched the note to his chest, weeping like a child. He had shouted at her, insulted her, thrown her love away—only to discover she had been trying to save him, to give him joy. But it was too late.
From that day forward, Eric’s life was never the same. He poured all his energy into raising the triplets, determined to give them the love Cora had dreamed of. He never remarried, never looked for love again.
Every Valentine’s Day, he visited Cora’s grave with flowers. He sat by her tombstone for hours, talking to her about his day, the kids, his regrets—always wishing he could go back to that night, take back his anger, and tell her how much he truly loved her.
Lesson to learn:
- Don’t jump to conclusions. Eric thought Cora was lazy, but she was planning a future for them.
- Don’t let anger make decisions for you. Harsh words can become regrets you carry forever.