Crashed, Cheated, Caught

Three years after my pilot husband "died" in a plane crash, I walk in on him cutting a birthday cake for his three-year-old son backstage at the company memorial gala. Luke freezes in the lounge, his hand still on the knife, staring at me. His parents rush over to shield him. The same couple who screamed at me in the funeral home, wishing I'd died instead of him. "Nora, just calm down. There's an explanation..." Claire covers her slightly rounded belly, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry, Nora. My baby needs his father. Please, I'm begging you. I couldn't help myself—I love him." I thought I'd break down. Thought I'd scream. But all that guilt, all that self-blame, three years of missing him burns away the second I see the truth. Nothing's left.