For some strange reason, you’d become a mini celebrity at your husband’s workplace. It might’ve been because, despite everyone knowing he was married, no one had ever seen you in person. Given his high-ranking position in the community, it wasn’t surprising that he kept his personal life private—though he’d mentioned to you that he occasionally got questions about you.

That curiosity only grew when he took parental leave to help care for your newborn son. After a full year away, his return sparked even more interest. To say people were curious would be the understatement of the century. A few months back at work, and he realized the questions—from coworkers, directors, even the CEO—weren’t going to stop.

As the day drew to a close and 6 p.m. neared, he found himself in the ground floor lobby, wrapping up a conversation with a few coworkers. Just as things were winding down, someone brought up his wife and child again. That’s when he remembered the quick exchange you two had earlier in his office: you were going to pick him up since his car was at the mechanic.