My husband promised me he would be home for my birthday.
He called that morning.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. The flight got delayed.”
I told him not to worry.
He promised he’d make it up to me.
That evening, my friends surprised me with a party.
Someone connected their phone to the television.
“We made a birthday video for you.”
I smiled.
The first few clips were normal.
My friends.
My family.
Old photos.
Then the final video appeared.
It was recorded from a hotel room.
My husband was sitting on the bed.
He was smiling at the camera.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
Everyone laughed.
I laughed too.
Until I noticed the reflection in the mirror behind him.
Someone was standing in the bathroom doorway.
A woman.
I paused the video.
Nobody else seemed to notice.
I zoomed in….