“I’m Sick, I Need to Go to My Parents,” Said the Husband, Leaving His Wife with Two Kids

It was a chilly Tuesday evening in suburban Ohio when John came home from work looking pale and exhausted. His wife, Emily, immediately noticed something was off. “Are you okay?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

John sighed heavily. “I think I’m coming down with something. I don’t want to risk getting the kids sick.”

Emily’s heart sank. Their two children, Lily, aged four, and Max, aged two, were already a handful on a good day. The thought of them both being sick was overwhelming. “What do you want to do?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

“I think I should go to my parents’ house for a few days until I feel better,” John replied. “It’s safer for everyone.”

Emily nodded reluctantly. She understood his reasoning but couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that settled in her stomach. “Okay,” she said softly. “Just let me know if you need anything.”

John packed a small bag and kissed Emily and the kids goodbye. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he promised before heading out the door.

The first night was tough. Lily had a nightmare and Max refused to sleep in his crib, crying inconsolably until Emily brought him into her bed. She barely got any sleep, constantly checking on the kids and worrying about John.

The next day, things got worse. Emily woke up with a sore throat and a pounding headache. She tried to push through it, but by the afternoon, she was running a fever. She called John, hoping for some comfort.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” she asked weakly.

“Not great,” John admitted. “But I think I’m starting to feel a bit better.”

Emily’s heart sank further. “I think I’m getting sick too,” she said, her voice trembling.

John was silent for a moment. “I’m sorry, Em,” he finally said. “But I can’t come back yet. It’s too risky.”

Emily felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I understand,” she whispered before hanging up.

The next few days were a blur of fever dreams and crying children. Emily struggled to take care of Lily and Max while battling her own illness. She barely had the energy to get out of bed, let alone keep up with the demands of two young kids.

By the end of the week, Emily was at her breaking point. She called John again, desperation in her voice. “I can’t do this alone,” she pleaded. “I need you here.”

John hesitated. “I know it’s hard, but I can’t risk getting the kids sick,” he said.

Emily felt a surge of anger and frustration. “They’re already sick!” she snapped. “And so am I! We need you here!”

John sighed heavily. “I’ll come back tomorrow,” he finally said.

But tomorrow came and went, and John didn’t return. Emily felt abandoned and betrayed. She struggled through each day, barely holding on.

A week later, John finally came home, looking much better but finding a household in chaos. The kids were still sick, and Emily was barely functioning.

“I’m so sorry,” John said, tears in his eyes as he took in the scene.

Emily looked at him, exhaustion and hurt etched on her face. “It’s too late,” she said quietly. “We needed you, and you weren’t here.”

John tried to make amends, but the damage was done. The trust between them was shattered, and their relationship never fully recovered.