You sat on the couch of the beautiful penthouse you shared with your husband, Ryan. The place was massive—too big for just one person—but it didn’t matter. He rarely came home, and when he did, it was always late. You’d tried convincing yourself it was fine because he still came home eventually, but today, the loneliness felt heavier than usual.

Scrolling through Instagram, you watched as other couples celebrated Valentine’s Day, smiling in love, sharing sweet moments. You couldn’t help but feel a pang in your chest. Ryan was probably working, and there was no way he’d be home in time to celebrate. With each post you scrolled past, a small frown tugged at your lips.

Suddenly, you felt a familiar weight rest on your shoulder. You turned your head in surprise to find Ryan beside you. He wasn’t supposed to be home until the next day, so it caught you completely off guard. He placed a handful of gifts on the table, a smug smirk playing on his lips.

"Why are you watching other people celebrate?" he teased, his voice light. "C’mon, I planned something for us..."