My Husband Didn’t Show Up for Our First Wedding Anniversary – I Returned to an Empty Home and a Creepy Note
On their first anniversary, Becca was meant to tell Ben the exciting news that they were finally expecting a child! Becca leaves the restaurant in the hopes that her spouse will be there when Ben doesn’t show up. However, Ben wasn’t home, and a mysterious letter was found where he was not.
It was to be a day to remember. I had been looking forward to this day for the last two months, counting down the days until I could safely tell Ben the news. Ben and I were celebrating our first wedding anniversary.
It took me almost six months of trying before I was finally able to confirm my pregnancy. I felt the need to tell my spouse as soon as those two pink lines emerged. However, I also wanted to hold off on telling him until I was safely along.
Becca, even two months is too soon, according to my buddy Tiffany. But I understand your want for it to be a significant anniversary gift. I adore that.
“I just think that it’s something that we’ve both been looking forward to,” I said. “And this is a milestone for us as a married couple, so why not pile on one other bit of news?”
I could just picture the happiness in his eyes as his face lit up. I could practically hear him chuckle and then exclaim, “We’re going to be parents!”
I liked romantic, deep, old-school romance, even though the entire evening I had planned was a bit of a cliché. Thus, I decided on the eatery where our wedding reception was held. It was a charming tiny space with subdued lighting and calming music that gave off the impression that you were in a movie.
I imagined it would enhance the perfection of the moment. After putting on the same outfit I had worn to our reception, I spent hours getting ready. Ben was as sentimental as I was, so I figured he would appreciate the gesture. I felt like a newlywed again as I glanced in the mirror.
Naturally, I arrived at the restaurant early. It was unavoidable for me. Excitement sprang from me. I ordered a glass of water and watched the door, too thrilled to wait for my spouse to arrive.
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But Ben never showed up. I checked my phone; there were no messages. As the minutes passed, the waitress returned, her grin growing softer with each visit.
“Are you sure I can’t get you anything?” She enquired. “I’ll bring you the drinks menu?”
“No, I’m grateful. And I won’t be drinking booze! I’ve had a baby!” I just wanted to tell someone the happy news, so I blurted out.
She exclaimed, “Congratulations!” “I’ll keep checking on you then.”
I could feel my joy turning into anxiety after a short period. When I attempted to call Ben, the call went directly to voicemail.
“Perhaps he’s caught in traffic,” I thought to myself. “Maybe something came up at work.”
I tried not to get too worked up, but every minute that went by made me more nervous. The wall clock seemed to be laughing at me as it ticked away. For thirty minutes. 45 minutes.
One hour.
Thirty minutes into the wait, my stomach rumbled, but I just couldn’t bring myself to eat the fries and garlic bread I’d ordered.
Ben was where? I finally gave the waitress a call, settled the bill, and left quickly for home.
Had something occurred? Was there a mishap? What if he was injured in any way? Or was it that Ben was truly going to leave me?
I told myself, “Stop it, Becca,” as I was driving home.
Ben would never abandon me. We were content.
Were we? Were we not?
There was nobody in the driveway when I arrived home. Inside, the lights were off. I cast a quick peek across the street to my grandmother’s house, her TV glowing in the living room.
“At least a house,” I whispered.
After struggling with my keys, I managed to open the door.
“Ben? Dearest, I called.
Not a response.
I moved through the house, checking the living room. There was nothing there but a dense, oppressive quiet. Then it caught my attention—the simple white envelope sitting on the kitchen counter.
There was only one line inside:
I did this because of your grandmother. Becca, good-bye forever.
I went back and read it. once more. My brain not wanting to comprehend. Even so, what did that mean? My granny? How on earth could she be connected to my husband’s disappearance?
I picked up my phone and gave Ben another call. directly to voicemail. Once more.
I shut off the phone abruptly, my eyes watering.
“No, enough, Becca,” I pushed my way through the door and across the street to my grandmother’s home.
“What did you say to Ben?” I nearly let out a cry when she opened the door. “He’s gone, and he left a note saying that you made him do it!”
After a moment, the person on the other end let out a sigh that suggested she was genuinely disappointed in me.
“Becca, I had to act in your best interest. You are not the appropriate woman for Ben. Deep down, you’ve always understood that.”
“What the heck are you talking about?” I insisted. “I’m pregnant, and he’s my husband! How are you able to accomplish this?”
“Oh, honey,” she remarked in a patronizing manner. “I’ve always hoped you find a more suited partner. Someone who is comparable to you. A person similar to Charlie.”
I felt sick to my stomach at the name. Charlie was the grandson of my grandmother’s closest friend. Since we were teenagers, she had been attempting to arrange a meeting between us. But that person has never piqued my curiosity.
He was conceited and haughty, and not the kind of man I wanted to spend my life with. When I married Ben, I believed she’d finally come to terms with that.
“Charlie doesn’t matter to me! He’s awful!” I lost my temper. “I want to be with Ben because I love him.” How did you respond to him?
My grandmother stopped and gave me a serious look. She was watching a game show, and that was the only sound in the room.
“I promised Ben that he would leave and give you the best chance in life if he really, deeply loved you. If not, he would simply wreck your life. And I informed him that there would be no inheritance for him if he didn’t.”
I was unable to speak.
I had loved this elderly woman with all of my heart, and here she was. But here she was, manipulating my husband into divorcing me through blackmail.
“Why would you do that?” Feeling lightheaded, I inquired.
“Becca, I adore you,” she said. “I also want the best for you,” You’ll get it eventually.”
“I doubt that I will ever. And I doubt I will ever be able to forgive you. I screamed, “I detest you,” and I left her house.
As soon as I entered my house, I broke down in sobs and fell on the ground.
The hours that followed seemed to fly by. I kept calling Ben, hoping that he would answer. I begged him via text message to come home or to let me know where he was.
Still, nothing.
He simply vanished.
I realized that I was pregnant and that I was the only one in the world. My hubby was nowhere to be found. I had the impression that I was a sick joke. And I didn’t know how to make any of it right.
I dragged myself into bed, telling myself that in the morning everything will be alright. that when I woke up, Ben would be there.
Perhaps there was still time to make this right. However, one idea kept coming to me while I lay awake that night, staring at the ceiling:
What if Ben desired not to be discovered?
How would you have responded in that situation?