**Diary Entry 12th May**
I never thought snooping through my daughters phone would lead me to the truththe reason my husband had become so distant.
I cant take this anymore! I slammed the plates into the sink, the clatter echoing through the kitchen. Every night, the same thing! He comes home, eats in silence, then disappears into his study for hours. Its like living with a stranger!
Mum, calm down, Emily set her phone aside and gave me a weary look. Dads just going through a rough patch at work. You know how it is.
A rough patch? I threw my hands up. Three months of this rough patch! Your father used to talk to me, tell me everything. Now? Its like theres a wall between us. And those odd phone calls he takes in whispers
Emily shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flickering toward her phone on the table.
Youre overreacting. Hes just tired.
Tired, I echoed. He wasnt tired before. Twenty-five years together, and he always made time for us. Now? I trailed off, scrubbing a perfectly clean saucepan with unnecessary force. Emily sighed, grabbed her phone, and retreated to her room. I watched her go, unease tightening my chest.
Something was wrong. Jamesalways so warm, so presenthad become a ghost in our home. He avoided conversations, worked late, and worst of all, stopped meeting my eyes. As if he was hiding something.
*Another woman?* The thought nagged me, but I pushed it away. No. Not James. But thenwhat?
That night, I lay awake beside him, listening to his steady breathing. He wasnt sleeping. I wanted to reach out, to demand answers*Whats happening, James?*but fear held me back.
The next morning, after he left for work, I busied myself cleaning. Emily was still asleepshe had a late lecture at university. I tidied her room mechanically, straightening her desk, folding stray clothes. Then I noticed her phone, left unplugged.
*Ill just charge it for her.*
The screen lit up, revealing an open chat with her father.
I shouldnt have looked. But the message staring back at me made my breath catch:
*Dad, you have to tell Mum. She deserves to know.*
My fingers moved before I could stop them. I scrolled up.
**James:** *Em, I cant tell her. Not after what she went through with your grandmother.*
**Emily:** *But this is different! The doctors said the chances are good!*
**James:** *Chemo, surgeryshed worry herself sick.*
The words blurred. *Chemo? Surgery?*
**Emily:** *Shes not blind, Dad. She sees you pulling away. Yesterday she asked if you were having an affair.*
**James:** *Thats ridiculous. Just tell her works stressful. I need more time. At least until the biopsy results.*
I sank onto Emilys bed, my hands shaking. *Biopsy.* James was sick. And hed been hiding it.
The door creaked open. Emily froze when she saw me.
Mum?
I was just cleaning. I set the phone down, but it was too late.
Her face paled. You read my messages?
Emily, my voice cracked. Whats wrong with your father?
She hesitated, then sat beside me. Hes going to kill me.
And then she told me everything.
Three months ago, James started having stomach pains. He ignored themuntil the tests came back. Pancreatic cancer.
He didnt want to worry you, Emily whispered. Not after how you fell apart when Gran had her stroke. He was waiting for the biopsy results. Its tomorrow.
*Tomorrow.*
I stood, my mind racing. Where?
The oncology centre in Manchester. Ten oclock.
I nodded, steel in my voice. Right. Lets make his favourite for dinner. Hell need it.
That evening, James walked into a warm kitchen, the table set, the scent of roast beef filling the air.
Whats the occasion? he asked, frowning.
No occasion. I handed him a glass of wine. Just wanted to spoil my husband.
His eyes darted to Emily, who was suddenly very interested in her peas.
Whats going on?
Nothing, I said calmly. Except I realised something today.
And whats that?
That weve been married too long for secrets. I held his gaze. Im coming with you to Manchester tomorrow.
His glass froze mid-air.
You? He turned to Emily.
I didnt tell her! she blurted. She saw the texts when she was cleaning.
James exhaled shakily. I was trying to protect you. After your mums stroke
And who protected *me* from watching you pull away? My voice broke. I knew something was wrong. I was *terrified*.
Im sorry, he whispered.
Well face this together, I gripped his hand. Like we always should have.
The next morning, the three of us drove to Manchester. The biopsy was quick. The waiting wasnt.
A week later, the consultant smiled over his glasses. Benign. Surgery will remove it. No chemo needed.
Relief flooded me. James pressed his face into his hands, shoulders shaking.
Im sorry, he choked out. For shutting you out.
Its over, I cupped his cheek. Were okay.
Emily threw her arms around us. Thank God.
James hugged us tight, his old smilewarm, openfinally returning.
And I thought, *Sometimes, you have to cross a line to save what matters most.* Even if its wrong.
