Leaving The Repairman And My Wife Alone Was The Most Regretful Decision I Have Ever Made-1

Midway through a company meeting, I opened the home security feed. On screen, the repairman I’d personally welcomed into our house was tiptoeing toward my wife’s bedroom...
Cold Coffee
Emma and I hadn’t spoken properly in days. The air between us crackled with frost. That morning, the damned old pipe beneath the kitchen sink finally gave way, bursting violently. Water gushed out in a furious roar. Jolted awake, I rushed in, pajama-clad. Emma had beaten me there—drenched, hair plastered to her face, frantically jamming an old towel into the rupture. The torrent slowed to a steady drip, but water still pooled across the floor. I surveyed the wreckage, my feet submerged. "What happened?" I blurted. Emma lifted her gaze.

The Breaking Point
 Her eyes held an accusation that made my stomach drop. "What do you think?" she said, voice tight. "I told you months ago that pipe sounded wrong. You brushed me off."Her words, though quiet, struck like pebbles. "Now breakfast is ruined, and the kids' school clothes are soaked!" The sodden towel in her hands could absorb no more; water streamed from its edges. Seeing her drenched, frustration boiled within me. "You know how late I’ve been working! I collapse into bed—I haven’t had the energy!" My voice rose to a shout. Emma didn’t respond, just stared at the leaking wound, droplets tracing her jawline. 


The Father-in-Law's Shadow
Only the persistent drip… drip… drip… of water broke the silence, each drop tapping on frayed nerves. The creeping water neared my slippers. Emma turned away, her tone brittle. "Talking to you is useless. I’m calling Dad. He’ll drive over and fix it." She reached for her phone. At the words "my dad," fury surged into my temples. "No!" I barked louder. "Have him come? So he can lecture me? ‘Can’t even handle a pipe—how do you care for my daughter?’" I mimicked her father’s drawling, disdainful tone. Emma whipped her head around, eyes blazing and rimmed with red.


Empty Vows
Her voice trembled. "Then what? Let it flood the house?" Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, my anger cooled, doused by the icy water on the floor. I knew pushing back was futile. Drawing a breath, I forced calm into my voice. "I’m not ignoring this. It’s just… there’s a huge case at work today. I have to go." Watching her expression darken, I rushed on, "I promise! Tomorrow! First thing, I’ll call a professional plumbing company. They’ll send someone immediately! Guaranteed!"

NEXT ‌ >>