I was supposed to be sipping wine in Santorini with my husband, celebrating a decade of marriage. Instead, he canceled our trip last-minute… to take his mother on vacation.
He thought I’d stay home, hurt and waiting. But I did something that left him speechless and scrambling to explain himself.
For a full year, I had been planning our tenth anniversary trip to Santorini. Every detail from the cliffside hotel with a private infinity pool to dinner reservations at restaurants that required booking months in advance was meticulously arranged…
I ran my fingers over the navy blue sundress I bought specially for our first night in Greece.
The tags still hung from the sleeve as I placed it in my suitcase. A soft ding from my phone pulled my attention away.
I glanced at the screen. It was a text from my husband, Brian.
“Hey babe, change of plans.
Mom’s really upset about her business. Taking her to the Bahamas for the week instead. Anniversary trip is off.
We can go another time. Talk when I get back.”
My stomach clenched as I read the message again. And again.
The words didn’t change.
I called him immediately, my hands trembling so badly I could barely hold the phone.
“Where are you right now?” I asked when he answered.
“At the airport. Actually boarding in a few minutes,” Brian replied casually, as if he were telling me he’d stopped for gas.
“Brian, we’ve been planning this trip for a year.
My mother took off work to watch the kids. The hotel is non-refundable.”
“I know, I know. But Mom’s really going through it right now.
She needed this, Rachel.”
“And what about what I need?”
“Don’t make this difficult. You’re always so understanding… that’s what I love about you.
We’ll have other anniversaries.”
“Brian —”
“They’re calling my row. I’ve gotta go. Love you.
We’ll talk when I get back.”
The line went dead before I could respond.
I looked down at my packed suitcase, the carefully printed itinerary on the dresser, and the anniversary card I’d written that morning. My heart cracked.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I whispered to the empty room.
My phone buzzed again with a text from my mother:
“Just picked up the kids from school! They’re so excited for their sleepover with Grandma.
We’re heading to my place now. You and Brian have the best time!”
“Thanks, Mom,” I replied.
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