I accused my husband of cheating on me. The words slipped out before I could stop them, my voice trembling with the weight of my suspicions. His face went pale, and for a moment, we stood frozen, the silence between us thicker than ever.

“How could you think that?” he finally asked, his voice breaking. “After everything we’ve been through?”

I crossed my arms, trying to steady my racing heart. “I saw the messages, John. Late-night texts, hidden calls. Who is she?”

His eyes widened with shock, then narrowed in hurt. “The messages? You went through my phone?”

“Don’t turn this on me!” I snapped, my anger flaring up. “Just tell me the truth.”

John ran a hand through his hair, looking defeated. “It’s not what you think, Emma. Yes, there’s someone I’ve been talking to, but it’s not an affair. It’s my sister. She… she’s been going through a rough time, and she didn’t want anyone to know. Not even you.”

I blinked, taken aback. “Your sister? Why would you hide that from me?”

He sighed, stepping closer, his eyes pleading. “Because she made me promise. She didn’t want anyone to know until she was ready. I should have told you, I know that now. But I swear, Emma, there’s nothing going on. Please, believe me.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as the tension drained from my body. I wanted to believe him, but the pain of mistrust lingered. “Why didn’t you just tell me? We could have helped her together.”

He reached out, taking my hands in his. “I made a mistake. A big one. But I never wanted to hurt you. Can we work through this? Can you forgive me?”

I looked into his eyes, searching for the truth. Slowly, I nodded. “It won’t be easy, John. But we’ll try. Together.”