Back Home
As a dedicated military officer returned home after serving overseas for two years, there was a sense of anticipation in the air in Washington.
It had been long since he had seen his wife, and he couldn't wait to surprise her. His return was kept a secret to make the reunion unforgettable. Upon his arrival, what would be waiting for him?
His Return
Jessica Stones glanced at the clock nervously in her apartment every few minutes. As she awaited the return of her love, Ross Stone, who has been stationed overseas for two years, her heart raced.
She anticipated a beautiful reunion based on the letters, the late-night calls, and the promises of a beautiful reunion. Knowing he would return home soon, she was too nervous to see him.
It Was Time
The 32-year-old Jessica had a hard time deciding what to do. In the meantime, Ross's plane had touched down in Washington. In the back of his mind, he was eager to surprise Jessica.
His excitement at seeing her after such a long time fueled every step he took. To catch Jessica off guard, he kept his return a secret. He had something planned for her, but what was it?
He Has Returned
Ross, 35, couldn't shake the butterflies in his stomach as he approached their apartment. As he turned the key in the lock, the door creaked open. Silence filled the room as the lights went out.
Ross called Jessica's name, but the emptiness echoed his words. He dismissed the unease across his forehead as he assumed she was running errands.
Excited To Be Back
Ross's heart raced with excitement as he approached their apartment. Jessica's face would be filled with joy and surprise when she saw him. A strange silence, however, greeted him when he entered the apartment.
It sent a shiver down his spine to see the rooms empty, but he dismissed it, thinking Jessica must be out running errands. She hadn't told him that she had a plan of her own.
No One Is Home
Ross forged ahead with his plan undeterred. He arranged the bouquet of flowers he had brought from overseas, each petal reflecting a piece of his travels.
It was strategically placed to complement the floral masterpiece with chocolates, a sweet token of his enduring affection. The thought of Jessica discovering the heartfelt surprise he had planned thrilled Ross.
It Wasn’t The Same
Ross made himself comfortable in an attempt to feel at home. After two years away from American soil, he was finally back. Nevertheless, as the minutes turned into hours, Ross's concern grew.
He checked his phone for a message from Jessica explaining her delay. Not a thing. He had envisioned a lively scenario, but the apartment remained silent. What could have caused her to disappear for so long?
Trying Her Again
Ross began to panic as he frantically called Jessica's number. Each tone of the phone echoed his growing anxiety. Did she deliberately ignore him?
His mind was filled with numerous possibilities, each more troubling than the last. Has something happened to her? Is she safe? Is there some reason why she avoided him?
Where Was She?
Ross's heart pounded during his debate over whether to take action or wait. Once a joyous occasion, it had turned into an unsettling mystery. He informed his parents that he was back in America and would visit them soon.
In the same call, he inquired about Jessica's whereabouts. Leaving the apartment, he inquired with neighbors, hoping they had seen or heard something. Jessica hadn't been seen or heard from for several weeks.
No One Has Seen It
Ross walked downstairs and asked the security guard questions, but he didn't want to talk or divulge any information. The more Ross knocked on doors and questioned those nearby, the more worried he became. No one had seen Jessica.
He felt the weight of uncertainty weigh heavily on his shoulders as the puzzle deepened. Countless worst-case scenarios were racing through Ross' mind, each more frightening than the last.
Still No Return
Returning to the apartment, he clung to the hope that Jessica would walk through the door at any moment. He sat on the coach, looking at some old wedding photos displayed on the shelf
The flowers stood proudly, the chocolates waiting to be shared, but the joyous reunion he had envisioned was suspended in an anxious limbo. When would Jessica return home?
Saying I Love You
Ross sat amidst the carefully arranged tokens of love, his eyes never straying far from the door. The anticipation that once fueled his excitement now transformed into a somber vigil.
He and Jessica had been married for 5 years and he was away in Afghanistan for two of them. The silence was deafening, broken only by the ticking of the clock that seemed to mock his impatience. Would she ever come back?
Waiting For What
The shadows grew longer as evening descended, casting a pall over the room. Ross, torn between hope and fear, vowed to wait for Jessica.
The mystery of her absence lingered, but the love he felt compelled him to believe that, in time, she would walk through the door, completing the reunion that had been delayed by unforeseen circumstances. Was he being childish? Naive?
A Life Changed
And so, in that quiet apartment, Ross Stone sat, surrounded by reminders of love and suspended in a bittersweet anticipation. He looked at their wedding photo, when they were young and in love.
The story of Jessica and Ross, once filled with the promise of a joyous reunion, hung in the balance, waiting for the missing piece to fall into place. Was his marriage not what it used to be?
Looking Hopeful
Intent on crafting the perfect surprise, Ross arranged the flowers and chocolates meticulously, hoping to express the depth of his love for Jessica. She loved to have romantic getaways and to spend time away at hotels by the sea.
As he set the scene, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss. Little did he know, his world was about to crumble.
Holding On To Love
Wanting to set the stage for his surprise, Ross arranged the flowers and chocolates he had brought. Satisfied with the display, he decided to take a quick shower before Jessica's return.
Her love language was gifts, and he knew exactly how to spoil her. Little did he know that this mundane act would lead to a shocking revelation.
Passing The Time
Ross decided to cool off and take a shower. The water in the shower cascaded down Ross's tense shoulders, washing away the grime of two long years spent in service to his country.
He reveled in the feeling of warm water, unaware of the storm that awaited him outside the bathroom door. Ross had returned to Washington with one purpose—to surprise Jessica Stones, the woman who had patiently waited for him during his deployment. But she was not at home.
Relaxing At Home
With a towel wrapped around his waist, Ross padded through the empty apartment, the scent of roses and the sweet allure of chocolates filling the air. He hoped that Jessica would have popped up by now.
He called out for Jessica, the anticipation building with each unanswered echo in the vacant rooms. Unperturbed, he assumed she was still out, blissfully ignorant of the unfolding drama.
A Hidden Message
The bathroom beckoned him, and Ross, oblivious to the impending revelation, stepped inside. Droplets of water clung to his chiseled physique as he lifted the toilet lid.
The sight that greeted him was beyond his wildest nightmares—a post-it note stuck to the porcelain. His eyes widened in disbelief as he read the damning words: "I just slept with your wife."
Under The Toilet
Entering the bathroom, Ross was eager to freshen up. As he lifted the toilet lid absentmindedly, his eyes widened in disbelief. He felt violated.
A post-it note was stuck to the lid, and the message sent chills down his spine. It detailed an illicit affair, complete with a damning photo and the mystery man's underwear as proof. Ross felt a surge of anger and betrayal.
Who Was In My House
Frozen, Ross's heart pounded in his chest, drowning out the sound of his own breath. There was another man in his apartment only moments ago. Anger and rage started to build up inside of him.
A photo of the mystery man and the incriminating underwear lay as evidence, carefully placed beneath the lid. The world outside the bathroom ceased to exist as the room closed in on him.
The Message Was Right
In a stupor, Ross stumbled over to the bed, the waves of shock beginning to recede, making way for an all-consuming fury. He had to see for himself.
The pillow revealed the bitter truth—the underwear rested there; a betrayal etched in fabric. Ross clenched his fists, struggling to comprehend the betrayal that unfolded in his sacred absence.
How Could She Do This
Consumed by rage, Ross marched over to Jessica's side of the bed, where her pillow held the incriminating evidence. He took a few photos of it as evidence.
The air in the room felt heavy as he confronted the harsh reality of infidelity. The trust he had placed in Jessica was shattered, replaced by a searing pain. Everything was a mess.
Waiting To Tell Her
As the minutes ticked by like hours, Ross paced the apartment, grappling with the mix of emotions churning within. He realized that his wife had cheated on him.
The anticipation of reuniting with Jessica had morphed into an agonizing confrontation. He decided to confront her, to face the woman he thought was his anchor in the storm.
Keeping His Spirits High
Time hung in the air as Ross waited, he drank the champagne down to the last drop, the scent of roses now suffocating, the chocolates bitter in his mouth.
His mind ablaze with emotions, Ross paced the room, contemplating how to confront Jessica when she returned. He wanted to shout at her, he wanted to hit something, he kicked the couch.
She’s Here
The seconds stretched into minutes, and finally, the door creaked open. Jessica walked in, unaware of the storm awaiting her. The door stayed open, and Jessica entered, her eyes flickering with surprise.
In that charged moment, Ross locked eyes with the woman he thought he knew so well, ready to unveil the painful truth that lurked in the shadows of their shared life.
A Denial
The woman was scared and didn’t say a word. "Surprise," Ross muttered, his voice laced with a mix of anger and hurt. He moved slowly towards her, dropping the post on the floor as he walked.
Jessica's eyes widened, her attempt at feigning innocence failing as she locked eyes with Ross. "Ross, I can explain," she stammered, her voice shaky. Would he believe her words?
You’re A Liar
Ross slammed the empty champagne bottle on the floor. "Explain?" Ross scoffed, holding up the damning photo and underwear. "Explain this, Jessica!"
Jessica's face paled, and panic set in. "Ross, please. I swear, I've been framed. I would never betray you." A hurt Ross burst out laughing, he didn’t believe her lies, she was just trying to manipulate him.
Tell The Truth
Ross studied her face, torn between the love he once felt and the pain of the evidence before him. "Framed? How do you explain this, then?" he demanded.
Jessica's gaze shifted, her eyes avoiding his. "I don't know. Someone is trying to ruin us. Ross, please believe me." Jessica cried and fell to the floor confessing her undying love for Ross.
A Real Soldier
Ross screamed at Jessica, he had no way of finding out if the photos were real or not. But the evidence was there. “What kind of man do you take me for?”
The room echoed with the weight of their unspoken words, as Ross grappled with the choice before him – whether to trust the woman he loved or accept the painful reality that their relationship might be irreparably broken.