For over three decades, Troy and I had built a life together—years filled with love, laughter, and challenges. We had raised three incredible children and were now proud grandparents to five beautiful little ones.
On the night of our 36th wedding anniversary, I truly believed I was the luckiest woman alive.
Troy and I swayed in the center of the room, just like we had on our wedding night, moving in sync to our favorite song. Our children clapped and cheered, capturing the moment on their phones.
For this special occasion, I gifted him a smartwatch, one with a heart rate monitor. His doctor had cautioned him about his heart, and I wanted him to take his health seriously.
That night felt perfect.
But perfection can be deceiving.
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A month later, my world crumbled.
Troy sat me down at our dining table—the same table where we had shared countless meals, laughter, and dreams.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke words that shattered me.
“I want a divorce.”
“I met someone else.”
The pain was unlike anything I had ever known.
For weeks, I lay awake at night, staring at the ceiling, replaying every moment of our marriage, searching for answers.
But in the end, I chose to let him go.
I just wanted peace.
Then, three weeks later, peace was replaced by chaos.
I was in bed, absentmindedly scrolling through my phone, when a notification appeared.
Troy’s smartwatch alert.
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WARNING: Severe heart rate drop detected. Seek medical attention immediately.
My breath caught. I called him. No answer.
Panic surged through me as I threw on a coat, grabbed my keys, and raced out the door.
When I arrived, my heart stopped.
Troy lay motionless on the cold pavement outside his building.
I fumbled for my phone, hands shaking as I called 911—
WHACK.
My phone flew from my grasp, clattering onto the ground.
Then I saw her.
Alicia. His mistress.
“He needs me,” she snapped, jabbing a finger at my chest. “Not you. Not ever again.”
I held up my phone, showing her the alert in glaring red. “Look! He’s in danger! We need to—”
She smacked my hand away. “I don’t give a damn about your stupid alerts! Get in your car and leave.”
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Ignoring her, I snatched my phone off the ground, rushed to my car, and slammed the door shut. But instead of driving away, I did the only thing that mattered.
I called 911.
The next day, my children and I walked into the hospital, emotions swirling—relief, anger, confusion.
Troy had barely survived.
When we entered his hospital room, his eyes widened in sh0ck. He glanced from me to our children, and at that moment, his expression shifted from surprise to something heavier. Guilt. Regret.
His voice was barely above a whisper. “You saved my life.”
My children wrapped their arms around their father, and for a fleeting second, it felt as if the past 36 years hadn’t been completely shattered.
Then, Troy explained what had happened.
His face darkened as he recounted the doctor’s words.
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“They ran tests, asked about my exercise routine… the one Alicia put me on.” He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “And then… they told me the truth.”
“The workout plan she gave me was des:troy:ing me.”
Troy let out a bitter laugh. “I guess all she wanted was my money.”
Then, taking a deep breath, he reached for my hand.
“I’m so sorry, darling. I don’t deserve it, but… how can I make things right? Will you give me another chance? Will you be my wife again?”
And so, the smartwatch I had given him for our anniversary hadn’t just saved his life.
It saved our marriage.
