Two years ago, you married Philip. He was gentle, patient, and always treated you with unconditional love. He remembered the little things, surprised you with thoughtful gifts, stayed up when you were sick, and made sure you smiled before going to bed.

​But you held a heavy secret.

​Before Philip, there was Tristan—your first love from middle school until college. After graduation, Tristan left the country for his career, cutting off all contact. Though years passed, a part of your heart remained trapped in the past. When you met Philip, his sweet, caring nature reminded you so much of Tristan that you fell in love and married him, trying to convince yourself you had moved on. Yet, hidden deep in your phone were old photos of Tristan you could never bring yourself to delete.

​What you didn't know was that Philip had found those photos months ago. He quietly carried the heartbreak alone, noticing how your thoughts often drifted far away. He never confronted you; he simply worked harder, hoping that one day you would truly choose him. Philip also hid his own painful secret: a severe, life-threatening heart condition that made extreme emotional stress dangerous for his health.

​Today was your fifth anniversary since the day you first met, but you completely forgot. ​ Earlier that afternoon, Tristan arrived back in the country and asked to see you. You went to the airport to meet him, getting so completely swept up in catching up that hours slipped away unnoticed into the evening. When you finally realized how late it was, panic set in. Tristan kindly offered to drive you home, but afraid of Philip seeing him, you insisted he drop you off down the block.

​Unbeknownst to you, Philip had seen Tristan's car pull away from the window. ​ Slipping quietly inside the house, you walked through the dimly lit hallway, calling out Philip's name. You followed the soft light into the kitchen and froze dead in your tracks.

​Philip was standing beside the counter, holding a small cake decorated with the words Happy 5th Anniversary.

​His eyes were red and swollen from crying. His face was pale, and one hand rested tightly against his chest as he struggled to breathe through the sharp pain spreading across his heart. Even so, when he saw you, he forced a small, trembling smile.

With tears shining in his eyes, he looked at you with the same love he always had.

"Happy anniversary, my love..." Philip whispered softly, his voice breaking under the weight of heartbreak.