Maria mustn’t suspect anything! Be careful, my darling,” my mother-in-law, Elaine, whispered to my husband, Jeff. Her voice was low, secretive.
I froze mid-step in the hallway, clutching my bag. I had come home early from what should’ve been a long doctor’s appointment, slipping in through the back door to avoid the neighbor’s yappy dog. Their hushed conversation sent a chill down my spine.
What are they hiding from me?
I had enough on my plate without added secrets. For six grueling months, I’d been battling cancer, enduring chemo that left me drained and afraid. Each night, as I drifted to sleep, I wondered if I’d wake up to see my son Jaden’s smile again. The thought that Jeff and Elaine were keeping something from me felt like betrayal
For a brief moment, I considered confronting them. But I didn’t. Instead, I forced a smile, walked into the living room, and greeted them as though nothing had happened.
“Hi,” I said.
Jeff’s eyes softened as he smiled back, but tension lingered in his shoulders. Elaine, pretending to do her crossword puzzle, barely glanced up.
“Hey, honey. How’d it go?” Jeff asked, his tone casual.
“Fine,” I replied, brushing past them toward the kitchen. “I’m actually hungry, so I’m going to make myself some soup while I’ve got the appetite.”
