My husband Ethan’s week in the hospital.

Ethan has recently been admitted to the hospital due to a longstanding hip problem finally needing attention. After years of discomfort, the decision for surgery was made.

I typically visit Ethan during the morning or afternoon, while the kids are in school. However, my father generously offered to watch the kids one evening, allowing me to surprise Ethan with an evening visit instead.

As I entered his room, Ethan, occupied by his phone, froze upon seeing me.

“Hello there,” I greeted with a smile, placing my bag on the chair. “Surprise visit, huh?”

He blinked repeatedly, offering a hesitant chuckle. “Wow, I mean, didn’t you already come earlier today?”

“I did, and I found some extra time, so here I am again,” I shrugged, taking a seat beside him. “Missing you so much, you know.”

“Sam…” he murmured, extending his hand halfway to mine but hesitating. “You must be so tired. How are the kids?”

“Dad’s got the kids,” I replied, keenly observing his face. His expression stirred uneasy feelings inside me. “Sarah cried a little this morning because she misses you.”

A distracted Ethan, with a smile hiding something…

He smiled, but his thoughts seemed to wander. Like his mind was elsewhere, solving a puzzle I couldn’t see.

We chit-chatted, and I sliced an apple for him, which is his favorite. Yet, I couldn’t shake off the sense of something amiss. Ethan’s responses were terse, his attention flitting to the door now and then.

“Ethan,” I took his hand, this time he didn’t resist. “What’s on your mind? Are you hurting? Should I call a nurse?”

His reply was hasty, “No, no need. Just… feeling a bit tired.”

On my way to discard some apple peelings outside, I encountered Carla, one of Ethan’s nurses known for her warm demeanor.

Carla approached me in the hallway, her eyes darting around before she spoke softly, “Could we have a quick word?”

A secretive hint from Carla outside Ethan’s room.

“I don’t want to worry you, but… when you return, glance under the bed.”

Carla then turned and left, her cryptic warning embedding a growing sense of unease within me.

What could she mean? Is something hidden there? Is Ethan keeping secrets from me?

I took a deep breath and re-entered Ethan’s room, trying to appear unfazed.

Yet, Carla’s parting words echoed loudly: “Look under the bed.”

Pretending to drop something, I crouched down, and what I discovered stopped me in my tracks.

A pair of eyes met mine from underneath the bed.

Initially, I thought my imagination was playing tricks, but no…

A bewildering sight—a woman hiding under the bed.

“What on earth?” I shot upright. “Who are you and why are you here?”

“Please wait, let me explain.” Ethan tried to calm me as the woman crawled out, blushing furiously.

“Is this why you’ve seemed distant, Ethan? How long has this been going on?”

The woman hesitated but then softly said, “I’m a wedding planner.”

Unveiled: A surprise wedding plan for me by Ethan.

Ethan had hired her to help plan a surprise wedding for me.

I was torn between laughter and tears, the fury I had moments ago melting into a soft warmth.

I started to laugh, tears pooling in my eyes as they ran down my face.

Jessica, the planner, mouthed a quick apology and left the room, leaving Ethan and I alone.

Once the door shut, Ethan reached out, “So, still upset?”

Drawing me close, as we both cried slightly, he said, “I love you. After ten years, I love you even more each day.”