Tatiana stumbled upon her husband’s infidelity by chance
Daphnée happened upon her spouse’s betrayal purely by accident
As is often the case, wives are the last to learn the truth. Only afterward did Daphnée grasp the meaning behind her coworkers odd glances and the whispered comments behind her back. Everyone at the hospital knew that her dear friend Claire was carrying on with her husband, Nicolas. Yet nothing in Nicolass behavior had ever raised Daphnées suspicions.
She discovered it that evening, unexpectedly returning home. Daphnée had been a physician at a Parisian hospital for several years. That night she was scheduled for the night shift, but near the end of the day her junior colleague Pauline asked for a favor:
Daphnée, could you swap shifts with me? Ill work tonight and you cover for me on Saturday, unless you have other plans. My sisters wedding is on Saturday.
Daphnée agreed. Pauline was pleasant and helpful, and a wedding was a reasonable excuse.
That night Daphnée arrived home, eager to surprise her husband. Instead, the surprise came to her. As soon as she stepped inside, she heard voices from the bedroomNicolass voice and another she recognized, though she never expected to hear it then or there. It was her best friend Claires voice. What Daphnée overheard left no doubt about the nature of their affair.
She slipped out of the apartment as silently as she had entered. She spent the night at the hospital without sleeping, wondering how she would face her colleagues. They all knew the truth, while she had been blinded by love for Nicolas, granting him absolute trust. He had become the center of her existence, to the point where she gave up her own desire for children whenever Nicolas claimed he wasnt ready, insisting they should wait and enjoy life. Now Daphnée understood that he saw no future for a family with her.
That night she made what seemed the only possible choice. She wrote a leave request followed by a resignation, returned home, packed her belongings while Nicolas was at work, and rushed to the train station. She had inherited a modest country house from her grandmother and thought nobody would look for her there.
At the station she bought a new SIM card and discarded the old one. Daphné cut every tie to her former life and embraced the new one.
Twentyfour hours later she stepped off the train at a familiar stop. The last time Daphné had been there was ten years ago, at her grandmothers funeral. Everything appeared unchangedquiet and deserted. Just what I need right now, she thought. After a brief carshare ride and a twentyminute walk, she reached her grandmothers house. The garden was overgrown with bushes, making the front door hard to find.
It took her several weeks to tidy the house and clear the garden. She would never have managed alone, but the neighbors, who remembered her grandmother Adelinea teacher for more than forty yearsoffered valuable help. Daphné was surprised by their warm reception and felt deeply grateful.
Soon news spread that a doctor had arrived in the village. One day a neighbor, Marie, hurried to Daphnés door, looking panicked:
Daphné, Im sorry, but I cant help you today. My little girl ate something bad and is suffering from indigestion.
Lets take a look, Daphné replied, grabbing her medical kit.
Little Mathilde had a food poisoning. Daphné administered treatment and explained the precautions to Marie.
Thank you so much, Daphné, Marie said, moved. Youre our doctor now. The nearest hospital is sixty kilometres away. We once had a nurse, but he left the village and was never replaced.
From then on the villagers turned to Daphné for medical care. She could not refuse, given the kindness and assistance she had received from her new community.
The local authorities heard about her work and offered her a position at the district medical centre.
No, Ill stay here, Daphné declared firmly. But if you assign me to run the dispensary here, Ill gladly accept.
Officials were flattered that a Paristrained physician wanted to settle in a modest dispensary, yet Daphné held her ground. A few months later the dispensary reopened and Daphné resumed her consultations.
One night someone knocked on her door late, which didnt surprise herillness respects no schedule. She opened to a stranger.
Mrs. Daphné, he announced, Im from Villefranche, fifteen kilometres away. My daughter is very sick. At first I thought it was a cold, but her fever hasnt dropped in three days. Please, come examine her.
Daphné quickly gathered her supplies while the man described his daughters symptoms. Upon arrival she found a pale, bedridden girl struggling to breathe. After examining her, Daphné said:
Her condition is serious. She needs to be hospitalized.
The man shook his head:
I live alone with her. Her mother died shortly after she was born. Shes everything I have I cant lose her.
The hospital has the equipment a child this ill needs. I dont have the medicines here.
Tell me what to give, Ill get it. But please dont take her to the hospital. Theres an oncall pharmacy in the district I can reach. I just have no one to watch her while Im gone.
Seeing his panic and desperation, Daphné studied him more closely; he was a tall, slender man with chestnut hair and dark green eyes that shone with resolve.
Ill stay with your daughter, Daphné said. Whats her name?
Juliette, he replied softly. And Im Antoine. Thank you, doctor.
Antoine left to fetch the prescribed medication.
Juliettes fever stayed high; she was restless, crying and calling for her father. Daphné held her, rocking and humming a lullaby until the girl calmed slightly.
Hours later Antoine returned with everything needed. Daphné administered the treatment and, exhausted, announced:
Now we just have to wait.
Both kept watch through the night. At dawn Juliettes temperature began to drop, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Thats a good sign, Daphné noted. Though weary, the satisfaction of turning the illness around kept her going.
You saved my daughter, Antoine repeated, gratitude spilling from him.
A year passed. Daphné continued working at the dispensary, caring for villagers and nearby residents. She now lived in Antoines spacious house; they had married six months after that harrowing night when Juliettes life hung by a thread.
It took several more weeks for Juliette to fully recover. The girl formed a deep bond with Daphné, who loved her dearly while occasionally reflecting on the dreams she had set aside by postponing her own desire for a child.
In the evenings, tired but fulfilled, Daphné returned home to the two people she cherished. That night Antoine greeted her at the doorway with a bright smile and asked:
So, did you get your leave? Ive planned everythingwell go on vacation, the three of us.
Daphné answered with a mysterious grin:
My leave is approved, but we wont be three, well be four.
Antoine paused, then lifted his wife into his arms, joyfully embracing her.
Tatiana Stumbles Upon Her Husband’s Infidelity by Chance
