Daphnée stumbled upon her husbands infidelity by chance
As often happens, the wives are the last to learn the truth. Only afterward did Daphnae grasp why her coworkers kept giving her odd looks and whispering behind her back. Everyone at the hospital knew that her close friend Claire was having an affair with her husband, Nicolas. Yet nothing in Nicolass behavior ever raised Daphnées suspicions.
She discovered it that evening, unexpectedly, when she walked home. Daphnée had been a physician at a Parisian hospital for several years and was scheduled for a night shift that day. Near the end of her shift, a younger colleague, Pauline, asked for a favor:
Daphnée, could you swap shifts with me? Ill work tonight and youll cover for me on Saturdayunless you have other plans. My sister is getting married on Saturday.
Daphnée agreed. Pauline was pleasant and helpful, and a wedding seemed a reasonable excuse.
That night Daphnée returned home, eager to surprise her husband. Instead she got the surprise. The moment she entered, she heard voices from the bedroomNicolass voice and another she recognized, though she never expected to hear it then or there. It was Claires voice. What Daphnée overheard left no doubt about the nature of their relationship.
She slipped out of the apartment as quietly as she had entered and spent the night at the hospital, unable to sleep. How could she face her colleagues, who now knew everything, while she had been blinded by love for Nicolas and had trusted him completely? He had become the center of her world, to the point that she abandoned her own dream of having children whenever he claimed he wasnt ready, saying they should wait and enjoy life. Daphnée now understood he saw no future for a family.
That night she took what seemed the only possible step. She wrote a leave request and a resignation, returned home, packed her belongings while Nicolas was at work, and rushed to the train station. She had inherited a modest countryside cottage from her grandmother and figured no one would look for her there.
At the station she bought a new SIM card and discarded the old one. Daphnée cut all ties with her former life and embraced the new one.
Twentyfour hours later she stepped off the train at a familiar stop. The last time Daphnée had been there was ten years earlier, at her grandmothers funeral. Everything was still quiet and desertedexactly what she needed. She took a short carshare ride, then walked twenty minutes to the cottage. Overgrown bushes blocked the front door.
It took her several weeks to tidy the house and clear the garden. She would never have managed alone, but neighbors who remembered her grandmother Adelinewho had taught for more than forty yearsoffered generous help. Daphnée was surprised by their warm reception and felt deep gratitude.
News that a doctor had arrived in the village spread quickly. One day a neighbor, Marie, knocked on Daphnées door, looking panicked:
Daphnée, Im sorry, but I cant help you today. My little girl ate something bad and has a stomach upset.
Lets see, Daphnée replied, grabbing her medical kit.
Little Mathilde was suffering from food poisoning. Daphnée administered treatment and instructed Marie on how to prevent further issues.
Thank you so much, Daphnée, Marie said, moved. Youre our doctor now. The nearest hospital is sixty kilometres away. We used to have a nurse, but he left and was never replaced.
From then on the villagers turned to Daphnée for medical care. She couldnt refuse, given the kindness she had received from her new neighbors.
The local authorities learned of her work and offered her a position at the district health centre.
No, Ill stay here, Daphnée answered firmly. But if you assign me the dispensary, Ill gladly take it.
Officials were flattered that a Paristrained physician wanted to work in a humble dispensary, yet Daphnée held her ground. A few months later the dispensary reopened and she resumed consultations.
One night someone knocked late at her doora reminder that illness respects no schedule. She opened for a stranger.
Madam Daphnée, he announced, Im from Villefranche, fifteen kilometres away. My daughter is very ill. I thought it was a simple cold, but her fever hasnt dropped for three days. Please, examine her.
Daphnée hurried to gather her supplies while the man described his daughters symptoms. Upon arrival she found a pale, bedridden girl struggling to breathe. After the exam she said,
Her condition is serious; she needs hospitalization.
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.
A hospital has the equipment a child this sick requires. I dont have the medicines here.
Tell me what you need, Ill get it. Just dont take her to the hospital, please. Theres an oncall pharmacy in the district I can reach, but I have no one to watch her while Im gone.
Seeing his desperation, Daphnée looked at him more closely for the first time; he was a tall, thin man with chestnut hair and dark green eyes that shone with resolve.
Ill stay with your daughter, she said. Whats her name?
Juliette, he replied gently. And Im Antoine. Thank you, doctor.
Antoine left to fetch the prescribed medication.
Juliettes fever persisted; she was restless, crying, calling for her father. Daphnée held her, rocked her, and sang a lullaby until the girl calmed slightly.
Hours later Antoine returned with everything needed. Daphnée administered the treatment and, exhausted, announced,
Now we just have to wait.
Both kept vigil through the night. At dawn Juliettes temperature finally began to fall, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Thats a good sign, Daphnée noted. Though weary, the satisfaction of turning the illness around kept her going.
You saved my daughter, Antoine repeated, his gratitude endless.
A year passed. Daphnée continued working at the dispensary, caring for villagers and nearby residents, but now she lived in Antoines spacious, beautiful 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 grew attached to Daphné, who loved her deeply, while occasionally reflecting on the child she had postponed having for herself.
In the evenings, exhausted yet fulfilled, Daphnée returned home to the two people she cherished. One night Antoine greeted her at the doorway with a cheerful smile and asked,
So, did you get your leave? Ive planned everything; the three of us will go on vacation.
Daphnée answered with a mysterious grin,
My leave is approved, but we wont be threewell be four.
Antoine stood stunned for a moment, then lifted his wife into his arms, joy radiating from both.
Tatiana Stumbles Upon Her Husband’s Infidelity by Chance
