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My husband and I spent 36 years building a life together. Then, out of nowhere, he filed for divorce. I thought that was the end of our story—until a simple notification changed everything.
36 years.
That’s how long Troy and I were married. More than three decades of love, laughter, and struggles. We had built a family, raised three wonderful children, and were now grandparents to five beautiful grandchildren.
A Happy Senior Couple | Source: Midjourney
In sickness and in health, through all the twists and turns life had thrown our way, we had always faced it together. At least, that’s what I thought.
On the night of our 36th wedding anniversary, I thought I was the luckiest woman in the world.
The restaurant was filled with our closest friends and family, the air filled with laughter and clinking glasses. Troy and I danced in the center of the room, just like on our wedding night, swaying to our favorite song. Our children applauded us, their phones held high, capturing the moment.
A happy senior couple celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary | Source: Midjourney
“You still move like you’re 25,” Troy whispered in my ear, his hand gently resting on my waist.
I chuckled, pressing my cheek against his. “And you still know how to make me feel like the only woman in the world.”
For this special occasion, I gave him a brand new smartwatch, one with a heart rate monitor. His doctor had warned him about his heart, and I wanted to make sure he was monitoring his health.
A smartwatch | Source: Pexels
He smiled, kissed me on the forehead, and thanked me. In return, he fastened a delicate gold necklace around my neck, letting his fingers linger for just a second.
Everything seemed perfect.
But perfection is a dangerous illusion.
A month later, my world came crashing down.
Troy sat me down at the dining table—our dining table, the one where we’d eaten countless family meals, celebrated birthdays, and comforted each other in our grief. But this time, there was no warmth in his eyes, no love in his voice.
Senior couple in conversation | Source: Midjourney
“I have to tell you something,” he began, his fingers drumming anxiously against the wood.
His words sent a chill down my spine. “What is it?”
He took a deep breath. “I want a divorce.”
My heart stopped. I searched his face for any sign that this was a cruel joke. “A divorce?” I repeated, the word sounding foreign to my tongue. “Troy, what are you talking about?”
He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t even soften the blow.
“I met someone else.”
Senior Couple Having a Delicate Conversation | Source: Midjourney
The words pierced me like a blade. I gripped the edge of the table, my vision blurring.
I had never felt such pain before.
In the weeks that followed, I spent sleepless nights staring at the ceiling, replaying every moment of our marriage. I wondered how a love that had survived decades could suddenly mean nothing.
But finally, I decided to let him go.
We agreed to keep the divorce a secret from our children until everything was finalized. I wasn’t ready for their questions, their pity, or their anger. I just wanted silence.
Senior couple in their living room | Source: Midjourney
Then, three weeks later, the silence turned to chaos.
I was sitting in bed, mindlessly scrolling through my phone, when a notification popped up on my screen. My heart started racing. The alert from Troy’s smartwatch.
I’d completely forgotten that his smartwatch was still synced to my phone.
WARNING: A significant drop in heart rate has been detected. Seek immediate medical attention.
Panic shot through me like a bolt of electricity. His doctor had warned him about his heart. Was he having a heart attack?
An old woman jumps when she receives a phone notification | Source: Midjourney
I grabbed my phone and called him. He didn’t answer.
I tried again. It went straight to voicemail.
With trembling hands, I threw on a coat, grabbed my keys, and rushed out the door.
Troy had moved into a small apartment on the other side of town. The drive seemed endless, my heart pounding. When I arrived, the sight before me stopped me in my tracks.
There he was, lying on the cold sidewalk in front of his building. Motionless.
An old man lying collapsed on the ground | Source: Midjourney
“Oh my God, Troy!” I jumped and sprinted towards him. I fumbled for my phone, my fingers going numb as I tried to dial 911…
POOF.
The phone flew out of my hand and smashed onto the pavement.
“What the hell?!” I spun around in shock.
And then I saw her.
Alicia. His mistress.
Close-up of a woman with a cold, hard expression | Source: Midjourney
Her eyes blazed with fury as she took a step toward me, her hands balled into fists. “What do you think you’re doing here?” she yelled.
I blinked at her, trying to comprehend what was happening. “Troy… he’s unconscious! His heart… his watch sent an alert… he could be dying!”
Alicia scoffed. “Oh, please. He’s fine. You just can’t stand that he doesn’t want you anymore, can you?”
My mouth fell open. “Are you serious? He needs an ambulance…”
“HE NEEDS ME.” She pointed a finger at my chest. “Not you. Not again.”
A mean woman argues angrily with an old woman | Source: Midjourney
I could hardly believe what I was hearing. My husband—her boyfriend—was lying lifeless on the ground, and she was more concerned with pushing me away than saving him?
“Look at this!” I pulled up the heart rate alert on my phone, showing her the red numbers. “He’s in danger! We need to—”
Alicia swatted my hand away. “I don’t care about your stupid alerts! Get in your car and drive away.”
My hands were shaking. “You’re crazy.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “No, darling. I just won.”
A mean woman argues angrily with an old woman | Source: Midjourney
Something inside me snapped. I snatched my phone from the floor, rushed to my car, and slammed the door. But instead of leaving, I did the only thing that mattered.
I called 911.
Because whether Troy loved me or not, I wasn’t going to let him die.
The next day, my children and I checked into the hospital, our emotions filled with relief, anger, and unanswered questions.
Continued on the next page
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